THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9714, 9 February 1910, Page 5

THE NORTHERN APPROACH.

COUNTY AND BOROUGH CONFER. ALL DIFFICULTIES &EMCVED. At the monthly meeting of the I Masterton County Council, yesterday, a formidable document, with a large rsd seal attached, was produced by the County Clerk, and read to the meeting. It was the formal notice of the Mayor and Council of Masteyton setting forth their objections to the widening of the northern approach to Masterton and the re-erection of tha two bridges for the reasons — {1)> That the cost of the work may exceed the estimates, and the Borough Council object to the work if the actual cost exceeds the estimates thereof, as the notice to the Borough Council states that it is the intention of the Masterton County, Council to apply to the for ' power to construes the said'work, and I to recover one-half of the entire cost I thereof from.the Masterton Borough Council; (2).- that the Masterton County Council having entire control of the work should be confined.to the estimates attached to the notice to the Borough Council; (3) that the work may be done more cheaply than shown in the estimates; (4), that it is necessary for an order to be made as to the cost* and the proportion , thereof to be paid by the Borough 1 Council for the protection of- the ' latter..

A deputation,, consisting of Mayor (Mr P. L. Hollings), audGrs F. W. Temple and J. Pauling, with Mr G.. A. PownalL Borough Solicitor and Mr W. T. Mansfield, Town Clerk,, waited on the Council, yesterday* in reference to objections put in by the Borough Council in respect to payment for the work. Mr Bownail stated be had been asked to explain on bahalf of the Borough Council ihat the objections lodged had not been made in any hostile spirit. In the first place it was agree;! the Borough should pay half of £5,000, but additions proposed by the Borough Council had increased that cost to '£5,890. They were willing still to pay half the estimated cost, but they did not want to be bound to pay half the actual cost when the control of the expenditure was in the hands of the County Council. If the Boough had not lodged formal objection within two months they would be out of court. The Borough Council did not want to break faith with, the Council, and would be satisfied to pay half.ao long as they had a fixed limit.. The Chairman said after the great difficulty the Borough Council had in inducing the County Council to go as far as £5,000 they might have trusted them not to go higher, as honourable men they would have stuck to the amount agreed upon, and if tenders exceeded the estimates the Borough Council would be consulted before tenders were accepted. They could not specify the- actual amount the work would cost but could only give an estimate.

Mr Pownall; The objections put in by the Council wouldbe withdrawn on the understanding that they would only be called on to pay half the estimated cost.

The Chairman said the County was as anxious as the Borough to have the work done oheaply.. The Council recognised the proposal was rather an open one as far as the Borough Council was concerned,, and they thought with a margin of 7 per cent. to*come and.go on they might agree to the Borough Council paying half the estimated cost.. It would be a pity to see the work held up for a small difference if such exceeded the estimate. Mr Pownall> after consulting with the members of the deputation, said if the County Council would write to the Mayor and Council to the effect that the Borough Council's liability should be limited half the estimated cost with a margin to of 7 per cent to come and go on, the objections lodged by the Borough would be withdrawn. The Mayor pointed out as the money would have to be raised without taking a poll of the ratepayers it behoved them to take extra precautions to safeguard the interests of the ratepayers. The County Chairman said the same applied to the County. They might feel assured be perfectly safe in the hands of the County Council. The Mayor thanked the Council for their courteous reception and with • drew. After discussion it was resolved that the County Clerk be authorised to write to the Borough Council and specify the conditions upon which this Council is prepared to go on with the work of improving the northern approach to the Borough of Master ton.