MAINTAINING A ROAD.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 24 September 1917, Page 3

MAINTAINING A ROAD.

At the meeting of the Taihape Borough Council on Friday night, a communication was received from the Rangitikei County Council asking the Borough Council not to insist on their decision of July 20th for security to keep a portion of the Otaihape Road, now being constructed by Messr s Baird and Macintosh, being kept in repair after completion. His Worship the Mayor, speaking to his notice of motion that no security be demanded, said he was doubtful if the Council had any legal right to compel a bond to be given for the maintenance of the road; they could arrive at the same. result by legal methods.

Cr Reid said the question opened up a large issue. The road might possibly require a large sum of money to keep in repair; there was a 16ft. cutting on the road, and all knew the tendency to slips in this part of the county, and what was the Council going to do in this eventuality, as the onus of keeping the road open would fall on the Council. His Worship said that was so. He had had a talk with Mr Mair, the county engineer, on the subject, who advocated that the Borough Council should maintain the road, as it \va' an inlet into Taihape. Cr Wrightson said the county council had spent thousands of pounds in the country for which they got no return. The road was an inlet into Taihape, and he thought that fact should receive consideration. Cr Joblin said they had heard Mr Mair's case for the country. Someone should state the case for the Council. He suggested referring the matter to the Works Committee for a further report. Cr Reid, as chairman of the work' committee, said it was useless to d this, as the committee felt it was r case for the whole Council to decide. All new roads were particularly liable to slips ? and it might cost the Council a considerable sum to clear them. Cr Das-hwood was opposed to taking over the road. Cr Healey- was altogether opposed to taking over a road from which they derived no revenue. Eventually, after some further discussion, it was decided that the members of the Council should visit the road in question, so as to get thoroughly acquainted with the position. Tuesday afternoon being set apart as the time for making the investigation.