THE OAKURA HILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 295, 8 December 1908, Page 4

THE OAKURA HILL.

JlliTAb NKKUKI): A.ND MONEY "Metalling new iloviatioii at Oakura, 2UUU yards."—Extract from tin- report of a county foreman to the Taranaki Cotinlv Council's meeting yesterday. , Cr. "Carter suitl thul lie thought the Council should proceed at ouch with tin- metalling of tlm Oakura hill. Two year's ago last September the Council paid for the construction of the piers li'or the Oakura bridge, and since that .laic the Council had committed itself .0 an expenditure id' C'WU for deviations on eaeli side of the road. He knew die position of the Council's funds, and was quite aware thai there was no elas- ' deity in eonnectiiiii with them. Iml he iclt that the Council, having committed itself to that expenditure, must face | the question of finding the uictul so Hint the road could he opened up for trallic. If they left it over for another vinter there would he a very heavy cxleuiliture in repairs. He had been toid I .hat the approach to the bridge on the I lakura side at its junction with the nil in road was dangerous, lie understood that in connection with this and .tlier bridges the works had made an iccumulation of charges against the genial fund*, for they had cost more than lie inonev borrowed, and it was this vliieh hail led to the present financial .inharrassinent. It was certainly tin- I \ise to allow £2400 to remain idle Allen thev could get full advantage of it or an expenditure of ,C4O». He had mide a visit to the district, and. whilst lot an expert, he thought a very fair .oh had been made of the Tapuac. There ,vas also a good grade of 1 in ii on the lakura hill deviation, though there were some "corners and elbows'' on it that .vould he removed, of course, as they went on. He moved that the metalling of the deviation he proceeded with, and that the road and bridge be opened for trallic.

Cr. Andrews stated that -100 or 500 ,-nrils of earth were needed to connect the present road with the new road, for Hie junction had not yet been effected. There was also a dip in the new road on the Oakura side of the bridge, and (his should-be filled before any metalline was proceeded with. If the Council lief not undertake this metalling they .vould have to remetal the old road, and hat would be waste of money. Cr. Tate seconded the motion, lie said he did not like sanctioning the expenditure, but as the Council had cxoended so much money there they should go on and finish the job. He recognised the need for curtailment of expenditure. Cr. Ufipson said lie would support the motion in order to get the job cleared ! out of the way. ' The chairman agreed that the work was a 'necessity, but where the money was coming from was more than he could explain. llf explained that these two contracts were legacies inherited from previous Councils, the authority for them having been rushed through in the dving hours of the Council. It would be cheaper to go on now and finish the work.

The motion was carried. At the afternoon meeting it was decided to call tenders for the metalling and earthwork required to complete llw work.