BOUNDARY ROADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1922, Page 6

BOUNDARY ROADS.

PUNIHO ROAD QUESTION. MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY. Some discussion took place at the meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday over the question of the Puniho boundary road, which is maintained by the Taranaki County Council. The matter was introduced by a letter from Mr. R. 0. Ellis (Taranaki County clerk), who forwarded a copy of a resolution passed by the Taranaki County Council requesting the Egmont County Cour il to pay the outstanding contribution due for the pa«st two years, the non-receipt of which was hampering the work of maintaining the Puniho Road. The letter pointed out that during the past four years the Egmont County Council had paid out £274, not £2OO per annum as stated by the chairman; also that the cost of maintaining the Puniho Road was considerably in excess of the quota provided by the Egmont County, consequently the Taranaki County Council contributed more than their equitable share out of the general rates of the Okato riding to maintain I the road, and also had to make up the ’ deficiency caused by the lower rates m the Egmont County. The resolution also asked the Egmont County to agree to a variation of the present warrant by agreeing to pay an equal amount with the Taranaki County, and failing such agreement that application be made for a new warrant providing that each county shall contribute an equal amount to the maintainence of the road.

The chairman said that when he made the statement he understood the amount had been paid, but there was still a trifle owing.

Cr. Tosland considered that if the Taranaki County Council was not satisfied the Egmont County Council should take the rbad oyer. He pointed out that in the case* of the Auroa Road, which was kept up under agreement by the Eltham County Council, the rest of the riding had to’ pay a portion of the maintenance, as the Eltham County had expended more than the rates accruing from the road. The same thing might apply in the case of. the Puniho Road. The chairman said that at that end of the county some bad bargains had been made in the past by the council’s representatives, viz., the Puniho Road, the Sanders Road agr ' -nt and the tollgate at the county • back,, or rather front door. He did not object to having a commission on the matter, as then all the facts would be laid on the table. He moved that the clerk be authorised to pay the amount and ask the Taranaki County Council to forward the contra account for interest Tn reply to a question, the clerk stated that, £268 16s 4d was due to the Taranaki County Council, who owed the Egmont Council £BO for interest. He stated that the amount would be passed for payment this meeting, the I matter having been held up pending I settlement of the antecedent liability question. i Cr. Campbell seconded the motion.

which was carried. _ Regarding the latter portion or the Taranaki Conntv Council’s resolution members favored taking no action and allowing the Taranaki County Council to take' any steps they deemed neces-

sary , , , It was resolved that the clerk apply to the Taranaki County Council for particulars of the yearly expenditure before taking any action.