NEEDS OF COUNTRY ROADS.

Shannon News, 15 March 1929, Page 3

NEEDS OF COUNTRY ROADS.

CONSTRUCTION OUT OF REVENUE NOT FAVOURED BY COUNCIL.

CASE WHERE A SLEDGE IS USED;

A question of policy in regard to the constructing of country roads cropped up in the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday in the couise of the discussion of an application by Mr James McGill, of Koputaroa, for the metalling of Otawhiwhi Road, on which he was prepared to carry out, at his own expense, such formation work as might be reasonably required. Cr. Catley said that this had been before the Council as an informal matter for some time. The length of road in question was about 20 chains. The Council had a grant of £1 for £1 ,up to £IOO, but what the work was going fr» aost he -did not know; they wei'e aot iu a position, this financial year, to take advantage of that grant. He would like to know whether the Council could take advantage of Mr McGill's offer of construction; he would have to do it to the satisfaction of the Engineer. Was there any possibility of taking advantage of his offer and gomj on with the work, with the amount of money which the Council had in hand and ignoring the Government grantV A couple of months ago they had a certain amount in hand, but there had been a good deal of* expenditure siilco then. They had four uncompleted roads now, and everyone was asking for something to be done. They could not undertake these works in one financial year nut of revenue. He did not advocate making .roads out of rev< tme, but in a case like this, if they con id find a email amount out of revenue and get one piece done, it would be off their hands. From the point of view of the ratepayers, if they could make it with the aid of the public grant, it would be good business to get a 100 per cent, road at 50 per cent, eosfe; but that was apparently hot possible now, owing to their not being able to have plans and specifications prepared. Cr. Kilsby said he thought that the letter was a result of an interview which he had had with the writer soma little time back. Mr McGill was very anxious for the Council to relieve him of the situation with which he was faced in wet weather. The Council would only be doing light in assisting' him in the manner he desired, if they could find the money to do it. Cr. Bryant: What does he use the road for?

Cr. Kilsby: Access to his property.

The Chairman: Apparently the formation is very much the smaller side of the job, an«l may not cost more than 15s a chain. I do not know what amount of metal would be required, but it would probably cost .from 17s to 18s a yard to get this metal, out there. ' *

Cr. Kilsby: Not as much. It would be about eight miles out there. The needs of Lindsay Road Extension were mentioned by Cr. Gimblett, and Cr. Catley then suggested that th„Council ask the Government for a

grant and get the settlers to raise a loan. '

The Chairmen remarked that tho. question of policy could be raised some other time. He asked what amount of metal would satisfy tie present applicant. Cr. Catley: It is what amount will hold the formation through the winter till the dry season comes. It has been formed once before, but traffic has knocked it to pieces again. Ha cannot get out with a cart, but has to Sledge his cream out. The Chairman: How much metal — ten yards per chain? Cr. Catley: Not less than ten yards oh new formation. Cr. Kilsby: That would be- quite a good coat for 'the amount of traffic that woufd go over it. The Engineer stated that any work done by way of formation or metalling on that road would have to be paid for in next financial year. "If you are going to pay it in the next financial year," he added, "you might as well do the whole thing and make a job of it." Cr. Catley: We should have a poliey in regard to these roads. The Chairman: I must pin you down to Otawhiwhi just now. Here is a request and tho writer makes an offer. Are vou going to turn it down or accept it? It may cost from £l5O to. £IBO for metal. Can you find that amount out of revenue? Cr. Gimblett: No. The Chairman: Then that settles it.' Your reply to Mr MeGilf will be that you will have to apply for a Government grant and he will have to wait for that.

Cr. Kilsby: Wc have got a £IOO Government grant on that road, and we should use it. Cr. Gimblett: Will that grant? be available if applied for next* year The Chairman: I don't think they will cut it out,,but that we will have every chance of getting it. Already you have passed a resolution that plans aw to be prepared.

Cr. Catley: Can the Engineer give an idea when they will be ready? The Chairman: The money will not be available till after the estimates come down from Parliament. We cannot get the monetary authority to act on till it is reinstated. The Council resolved to notify Mr McGill that they were not in a position to metal the road out of revenue, but that they had a Government grant in view and would do the road at the first opportunity. ■