THE TARIKI ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81918, 19 February 1907, Page 2

THE TARIKI ROAD

MOA 110 AD BOARD CONTRIBU-

TION

Mr J. Brown, chairman of the Taranaki County Council, and Messrs M, Hopson and 11. Stevens, members of the Council for the Moa riding, wailed on the Moa Koad Board on (Saturday, and asked for sonic assistance in making the 'Tariki road pa-sable on the portion between Ralapiko road and the Junction road. Mr Brown: explained that unless something was done soon the settlers would be unable to get out tliis winter. He explained that this wa,s a country ruad, and that the settlers (there did not use the district roads, although they paid the road board rates. The Government had promised to assist in putting the road through, but had not even sent forward a ;CSO grant that had been passed. To put the road through would cost ; £3OOO, hut at present the Council intended only to raise the swampy portion of the road from the bottom of the Itazorbank in order to make it passable. Mr 11. Trumble, chairman of the Board, referred to the strange workings in Allah's. .Some years ago the two bodies were at concerning this road, and then the Board had offered an annual contribution of JCIJU for tlie maintenance. During the wrangle the road received no attention from cither body, and fell into disrepair. I'Yom the time the Tariki road was gazetted a country road, this. Board had paid the Junction and Tariki road rates into a special fund for bridge maiutciiiuiee, and the money collected from the road in the two years' dispute, amounting to JM3O, might fairly he returned for the henelit of tlie ratepayers. Jlr Trumble said that this matter threw inito prominence again tlie great necessity lor the formation of a separate Moa County, Hi order that the friction inseparable from having two administrative bodies overlapping in a district might ho obviated.

Mr Chaniney commented ou the unusual proceeding—a county council appealing to a road board for help. If was generally ihle other way about. Mr .Brown: We usually find it that way. Air Chaniney, whilst satisfied witli the present constitution of tile council, referred in the uueoiiiplinientry terms of previous administration. The .Council must have collected twenty years' revenue on this and the Junction roads. lie recalled the promise .made by Mr JI. Ukey, in advocating 'the bridge loan proposals, that the loan, money wojilil be for. the replacing of all bridges in the ,country of over 30 feet space, even on district roads. The board hail showed its wisdom in setting up a special fund, for the loan was not being spent as promised. Mr Stevens said it was absolutely necessary to shift tile roadway to high ground, and this flic Council would do .Board and retired, Mr Brown mentioned that the bad state of the road was attributed to neglect during the dispute between the council and the board. The- council wa f s spending a good deal of money in metalling and bridging on Tarikf road.

Mr llemvood recognised that the Council had a claim, for the board had generally been well treated at trie Council's bands.

Air Hopsou pointed out the impossibility ol raising a loan for the necessary work.

The deputation having thanked the lionrd and retired.

Mr Trumble moved that £IOO bo granted. Mr Kenwood seconded, and said that if the board declined to help the council would probably clap on heavy riding rales.

air Cliamney: They can't. They must strike one rate over the whole country.

Mr Hqnwood: Oil: yes, they can. Mr Morgan: If they do that, well separate.

Eventually, it was decided to grant £SO for the work.