EKETAHUNA MAIN ROAD

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5194, 29 November 1895, Page 3

EKETAHUNA MAIN ROAD

THE QUESTION OF REPAIRS.

At tbe meeting of tlio Wairarapa North County Council on Wednesday, a letter was received from Mr A, Barron, Under-Secretary of tlio Lands Department, asking why an order should not be made against tho Council for the repairing of the Ekctaluiua-Pahiatuu road. The Chairman said tho Government could take over tho road and impound all subsidies for tho necessary repairs io tho road, if it could bo shown that the Council had been guilty of neglect. Tho Council was aware that the revenue was not sufficient to keep the road in repair. He moved that Mr Barron be written to informing him that the Council had not neglected the road in question, It was only a question of want of funds, tho riding having already been voted tho maximum, Tho Chairman moved that a tollgate be erected on the main road north of Ekotalmna, at its junction with the road into Wellington No. 3 Block. Cr Cockburn-Hood asked what would be the annual cost of collecting, etc. The Chairman said £72 a year.

Cr Guild seconded pro forma, but was not in favour of establishing toll-gates. He considered the days of toll-gates were gone. The riding was not in debt, and he thought some other way might be adopted to get over the difficulty.

The Chairman said it would require their pledging- at least two years' rates to repair this road.

Cr Smith said he was in favour of Mr Guild's opinions, and lie did not believe in toll-gates and would much rather that the Council advanced the necessary money (about £-100). Cr Maunsoll said this would materially increase the overdraft of tbe Council, and other ridings might raise serious objections.

Cr Smith moved an amondmont that the necessary money be advanced to the Eketahuna Riding for the repairing of tlio road. Mr Groves seconded pro forma, and asked what position tbe Ridingwoukl be in next year, Would they be able to keep this road in repair as well as repay tho advance in any reasonable time f

The Chairman said he was quite in sympathy, and ho felt sure that the Eketahuna Riding would be in a position to repay tho advance in a reasonable timo. There would not be the same amount of heavy traffic on the road shortly, as tbe railway would be finished and sawmill traffic would be removed,

Cr Cockburn-Hood was opposed to the amendment.

Cr Guild thought other ridings would not object to this course. He was opposed both to tolls and tbe proposed advance. The road should be paid for out of the rates from the riding interested, Cr Maunsoll said the Council had had the benefit of the amount advanced to the Castlepoint Riding, and it should not be a matter of reproach to the Castlepoint Riding that they had not paid interest on the amount.

Cr Smith added to his amendment llmt the rates of the Eketahuna Riding be allowed to be [anticipated to the amount necessary [to put tlio road in repair, to be repaired out of license fees and subsidies.

Tho Chairman withdrew his motion and the amendment was carried,