PUNIHO ROAD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1922, Page 6

PUNIHO ROAD.

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDSUPKEEP. ACTION BY TARANAKI COUNTY COUNCIL. The matter of contributions towards the upkeep of the Puniho Road, which forms the boundary between the Egmont and Taranaki counties, was the subject of discussion at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki County Council. Opinion was freely expressed that the Taranaki county was being called on to pay more than its share towards the maintenance of the road, while exception was also taken to some of the reported remarks of members of the Egmont County Council concerning their contributions, and to comments which had been made as to the manner in which the road was maintained. The Egmont Count.v Council forwarded a copy of the following resolution, which had been passed at its last meeting: "That seeing that this council contributes its quota towards the upkeep of the Puniho Road, this council draw the attention of the Taranaki County Council to the rough and unsatisfactory condition of the said road as disclosed by the Puniho settlers’ evidence before the commission at Warea/’ Councillor- Wooldridge said it was time a new award was made. He was quite satisfied that the Egmont County should pay half the cost. This raised the question of tne amounts contributed by the Egmont county, and it was alleged that the statement that £2OO was contributed annually was not a fact and that they were also in arrear in their payments, the Taranaki county having to spend more than its share in the upkeep of the road. The following'resolution was carried: ‘•That in view of the present position the Egmont County Council be informed. (a) that the Egmont county's contribute.n towards 'the upkeep of the Puniho Road amounts to only £137 per annum; (b) that contributions due since April 1, 1920. have not been paid: and (c) that the maintenance cpsts of this road are in excess of £274 per annum, and that consequently the Taranaki County Council contributes more than its equitable share out of the general revenue of the Okato riding to make up the deficiency, the Egmont County Council be asked to pay all outstanding contributions, and to agree to 'a. variation of the present award so that each council will contribute ; equal shares for the maintenance of the road.”