OKUKU ROAD SUBSIDY.

Shannon News, 16 November 1923, Page 3

OKUKU ROAD SUBSIDY.

DEPUTATION TO COUNTY COUNCIL

A deputation,' which wia,s introduced by Cr. Whyte, and consisting of Messrs R. T. Bell, and R. L. Tippler, trustees of the Makerua Drainage Boaird, and Mr S. Jickell, Engineer to the Board, waited on the Horowhenuia Gounty Council at last Saturday's meeting, .to ask that the Council's offer of £75 towards the cost of improvements and additions to the Okuku road, be increased'. Mr Bjell siaid tha* the road] had been subject to floods ie.ven before the drainage scheme was started. The deputation, was of the opinion that the County's contribution of £75 was insufficient. The operations of the Drainage Board would be of great assistance in keeping County roads dryland for this reason they considered tlia-t more consideration' should be given to thje road. Mr Jickell explained that the pro-, posal of the Makerua Drainage Board was to divert the road between Wall's house to Seifert's floodgajtie, to inside the stop-banlts. As Mr Bell had pointed out, when the banking "which was in process of formation, was coiur pleted the whole of the roads within; the drainage area would be protected'; and this would mean a very consid-' erable saving to the County. He would like to stress this in support of the contention that the OKuku road ,should receive more liberal considieration. There was 41 chains of road in the proposed alteration, and the cost would be, according to his estimate, £687. ' This was allowing for a 21ft metalled surface which he considered was. the minimum desirable.

Regarding the Kara bridge which "would require alteration, the Board did not propose to ask the Council for assistance. He understood that there was a Government"' grant ;of £3OO for the work, this amount to>be lifted before March 31. The proposal was to carry the hanks on the Eastern side, to the height of the railway level and this would inclose the whole of the flood area within this area. In answer to the chairman (Cr. Monk) he was not'prepared to commit the Board ta.s to their contribution to the work, but would bring the matter before them at their next meeting. The chairman stated that the Government grant for the bridge was £250 and not £3OO. This, moreover, was <a £ for £ grant and the remain, der of the money would have to be found elsewhere.

Mir Bell pointed out that the Okuku road was the only one serving a number of properties, in the locality, and also that they had been paying nates for a number of years and getting viery little value for them. The chairman said that if the people concerned '.wtev not using, this road they were using others and carting a considerable amount of flax o\ier them. The committee appointed by the Council had gone' very carefully into the matter of this road and considered that the allocation of £75 was as liberal as could be made. As the matter had been brought back to the open Council by tire deputation they would go -into, it-again.. He was fully aware that s the Mafcerua area was not .well roaded, but would point out that they paid"there'very considerably less in rates than. in., other parts of the County. If the County looked upon the application of the Board from «. strictly financial point of view they would have, to turn it down completely; as they really did not have the money. However, they would go into the matter again and slee what could be done.

On the retirement of the deputation the chairman stated that the committee which had gone into the matter, had agreed to give £75 towards the work. The Council was willing' to stand by this offer, but could not see how it could be increased. They also would make a proviso that the money be not paid oveir until alter the 31st of March. They had had to strain their finances somewhat to give this." ' Cr. Whyte supported this. Cr. Barber considered that Mr Jickell's estimate as. to the high, cost of the work was viery iiijfii. The benefit derived over the whole riding would be fairly considerta.ble, but on the particular road 1 he did not consider that more .should! be paid. It was cllecided that no action be taken.