VOGELTOWN AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8171, 2 August 1906, Page 2

VOGELTOWN AFFAIRS.

STIIKKT.WIDJiNJ.Vf; PJtO--I'OSALa. Over twenty ratepayers in the Curriiigtou Koad District attended i meeliii;; held on Wednesday evening, at the residence of Mr lilanchett, the secretary to the Ifoad ii.jar.l. Mr J. Lashbrook presided, and mentioned tlio object of the meeting to consider the matter of widening Victoria road, lie could not see how the Board could purchase land out of ordinary revenue, and recommended tint a loan be raised for this purpose. The widening would mean the removal of 15,000 yards altogether. •

Mr Brown reviewed the list of properties required to be purchased. Messrs Howell, Asher and Bannister would give their land, provided reasonable access were given, at a cost of about £l2 or £ll. Eov. Potter offered about 120 ft of frontage (sft to 10ft in depth) for £ls ; Mr Hoily his 300 ft frontage for .£l2O (bringing tho road to withiu aft of his house); Mrs Noonan, at the rate o£ £IOOO an acre, and Mr Tribe at the rate of £BOO an acre. He considered these last prices were exorbitant. Mr Cock had offered his strip of land at a price to be fixed by arbitration.

Mr Sinclair moved, and Mr Browne seconded, " That tho purchaso of properties to widen tho road bo left over indefinitely." owing to the unsatisfac lory nature of the replies Irom tho owners.

The Chairman objected to'doing this work "on overdraft," as was proposed during the discussion. In that way money had to bo found right away; whereas by a loan all the cost of the improvements would be borne by the settlers using the improvements in the next thirty or forty years. Mi- Carter wanted an assurance that the Board would not undertake this work during the current year, The Chairman said tlioro would be no funds. Tho general account was already pledged. Tho Board had thought 400 yards, of metal would be sullicient for tho year, but now it wasfound 1010 yards would bo necessary. Mr P. Oltey considered the work should bo done now. Land would never be as cheap again. Mr H. Okey said there was no doubt the widening of Devon road had made Fitzroy go alioad. It would act similarly here.

The motion was withdrawn, and in its placo the same mover and seconder brought forward another that the Board be recommended to purchase the land from Shortland stroet to George street, offered by Messrs Ashcr, Howell, Bannister, and Rev Potter. This was carried.

The matter of acquiring land for widening the upper jwrtion was referred back to the Road Board, who will call a further meeting of the ratepayers before going further in the nutter,