Puzzle Solution Left to Ratepayers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 454, 8 September 1928, Page 12

Puzzle Solution Left to Ratepayers

THE ORAKEI ROADS COUNCIL WILL NOT TAKE THEM OVER The new roads in the Orakei Settlement appear to have only a surface value, while the footpaths have not even this much to recommend them. The City Council has definitely refused to take over the garden suburb roads and assume responsibility for them, but those interested are left to guess why. Like a great number of other subjects passed by the City Council, this question was discussed by a committee, and neither Press nor public was admitted. The following bare recommendation was adopted by the council without a word of comment: “That the roads be not taken over in their present unsatisfactory condition.” Because the committee has to report back to the council its discussion may not be published. Because the councillors, other than those who are members of the committee, either do not know, or do not care, or trust the committee implicitly, the public—more especially ratepayers and those who have paid large sums for Orakei sections—is left in ignorance. Apart from the half-dozen members of the committee who inspected the roads and heard the discussion, it is highly probable that none of the other 20 or so councillors could intelligently explain why the roads were unsatisfactory. Almost identical instances occur at every council meeting. PRESENT SURFACES GOOD Orakei roads, at the moment, have a perfect surface, and appear to be ripe far tarring or the use of some other system of surfacing. The council has been asked to take over some three miles of them. Apart from the fact that coarse scoria has been laid for footpath, foundations, there is not yet a square yard of footpath on the estate, and no move whatever has been made to put in order the grass strips between carriage-ways and footpaths. Orakei, in fact, bears no sign of the garden suburb it will some day be. Early in July a report by the city engineer, Mr. W. E. Bush, stated that the road channels we.re simply tarredover metal, but the Public Works Department intended to construct the remainder to the city standard of pitched and concreted channels. The carriage-ways, he said, appeared to be well constructed, and were standing up to traffic well. He did not venture an opinion as to what they would be like after thousands of tons of bricks, cement and timber had been carted over them when building operations commenced. Cattle and sheep had left the footpath scoria In rough condition, and the department did not intend to sow the portions it intended to be left in grass. Cuttings were giving a good deal of trouble, and it must be made clear to property-owners, he said, that the council assumed no responsibility for them. A considerable amount of fencing was required. The council would eventually have to take over 13 miles of roads, and no provision had been made for tarring, which would cost about £25,000. Mr. Bush said he had been told that the Government • was not making * profit over Orakei, but if there war* any surplus the council would no doubt get favourable consideration. In the meantime he urged that a deposit of Is a square yard should be made to cover the cost of putting the footpaths in order. The ratepayers, who eventually will foot the bill are left to infer that the committee’s reasons for turning down the proposal to take the roads over are those given by Mr. Bush two months ago.