THE MAIN SOUTH ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 219, 14 March 1912, Page 8

THE MAIN SOUTH ROAD

TRAM DISCUSSED IJY EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL. . DELEGATES APPOINTED. At the meeting of the,Egmont County Council on Friday, Cr. Maxwell forwarded reports of ratepayers' meetings at Oaonui and Rahotu in connection with road improvements. Cr. Burgess reported on Pungarehu and Warea meetings. At the latter place the meeting was held on Thursday evening, and there were about 40 ratepayers present. The meeting was not favorable to a loan, but was heartily in sympathy with a tram scheme, but, if it was necessary, they preferred to pay a higher rate to pledging for a loan. Cr. Campbell said this was the general feeling at Rahotu. No definite meetings were held at Awatuna or Te Kiri. He had not met any settlers favorable to a loan. Cr. Willcox: Rahotu was the same. ,A letter was then read from the clerk of the Taranaki County Council, forwarding a resqlution inviting the Egmont and Waimate West Councils to appoint delegates to a conference with j the Taranaki Council to discuss the tram I proposals, and to reply naming the most I suitable date to meet in Opunake. Discussion then lightly turned on •tram schemes. Cr. Campbell said he believed a light i tram line would pay well and would be a good thing for the district.. • Or. Burgess said that the proposal to go as far as Manaia was (in his opinion) either too far or not, far enouagh. The itram should either stop at Opunake or go right on to Hawera. Cr. Farquhar presumed that if a tram scheme did come into operation, a special rating area would be defined as the railway would serve a greater area. Crs. Campbell and Burgess expressed the opinion that the tram would be re- ; quired more when the railway was con- • structed. ' . ' r' Cr. Hurst suggested that the members i for Egmont and Taranaki be invited to attend, as they would be able to get an idea of the acute roading problem as it affects this district. i The members thought it wa3 a good suggestion, but that it was a' matter for the conference of delegates. Cr. Willcox pointed out that the damage to the roads caused by the steam 'hauler was the means of bringing , up the whole question of roads, and a finality in the matter" seemed to be as far s off as ever. The traffic trouble was still , before them. The sentiment of the general public had not been obtained. Cr. Harvey said there was a unanimous feeling north of Pungarehu that the steam haulers should be taxed in some way. To do so by means of a toll-gate, said Cr. Burgess, vseems impractible, as there was no power to discriminate. Their • own settlers would have to pay, and to ■ get the sanction of the Minister of In- ■ ternal Affairs to erect 'a Holl-gate under i the circumstances would be very doubtlful, as if one-fourth of the settlers raised , objections they would probably be suci cessful. i Cr. Hurst said a great deal of good • came out of the ratepayers' meetings; the financial position was brought before , them. He was very satisned»the way the I ratepayers at the Pihama meeting discussed the question. , The other members said the rate- ■ payers cannot grumble if the rates do . go up a little higher, as they preferred it to any other proposal. ] . It was decided that the meeting of delegates be held at Opunake on 26th i March, starting at 11 a.m. i On the motion of Crs. Harvey and i Farquhar, the delegates appointed were > Crs. Dudley, Maxwell, Burgess and Camp- ■ bell. The delegates appointed by the Taranaki County Council are: Crs. Brown, Stevens, Andrews and McAllum.—Opunake Times.