CAMBRIDGE AND PIAKO ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 952, 30 July 1878, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE AND PIAKO ROAD.

A itEETiXG of fcho subscribers to the Cambridge and Piako Road was held at the National Hotel on Friday last. There was a large attendance. Mr A. A. Fanthain was voted to the chair, and, having read the advertisement convening the meeting, called upon Capt. Runciman to read the financial statement, which is as follows : — Receipts : Waikato County Council, £221 ; Tamahere Highway District Board, £20 4s ; private subscriptions, £160 10s Gd; other sources, £7115i4d; total, £A7 ( J 5s 10d: Expenditure : Road making, Montague, £96 ; ditto, Killagher, £11 os; ditto, Tucker, £40 ; ditto, Wattam, £22 7s 6d ; draining Vlotherwill & Co., £94 los; bridge work, J. Fergussou, £13; timber, G. I. Neal, £9 16s 6d ; cartage, Thompson, half charge, 8s; Hamiora and other natives, compensation for destruction of eel weirs, £60; balance m hand, £131 13s lOd; total, £479 5s lOd. There is, also, £83 1 7s due from unpaid subscriptions, which MiBrooks had said were nearly all obtainable. Captain Rnaciman then requested the Secretary to read that portion of the report of the Cambridge Highway District Board referring to this road [This will be found m the report of the annual meeting of the ratepayers of that district, published m another column.] Mr Selby asked how much of the road was lit for traffic, and whether it could be utilised now, or were its advantages only looming m the distance. Captain Runciman said that 1\ miles were lit for ordinary traffic. No difficulty Avould be experienced m taking a ton load along it, but some 77 chains had yet to be completed before the road would be available for through traffic. The balance to their credit at the Bank would be ample to finish it and make a good road of it. Mr Selby wanted to know by what authority they had spent so much money on a new road, when there were so many of the roads of the district of equal importance which required considerable outlay ? Mr Clarke said, they must nott>3 under the apprehension that the ratepayers money had been spent on this road, a sum of money was granted by the Council, and it was left to him and his colleague, Mr R. Kirkwood, how to dispose of it for the benefit of Cambridge Aiding. They had called a public meeting by advertisement, m three issues of the Waikato Times, and at this meetiug it was unanimusly resolved that the money thus obtained from the County Council should be spent m forming this road. Subscriptions were also solicited towards it. Mr Forrest wished to make a few remarks with regard to this road. The Engineer stated that a fall of 12 feet could be obtained, to drain the road. As this drain would be a great advantage to Maclean «fc Co., Mi 1 Mrclean was spoken to, and he told them to go on with the road and he would see them through with it. But, after a certain sum had been obtained from them, they refused to do any more. Mi/ All will said, they had no promise m writing from Mr Maclean. Mr Jas. Ruuciman said, this drain was surface opened for about 23 chains, but ho thought that Mr Maclean had acted liberally m the matter. Mr Made m had been led to suppose that it would only cast some £60 or £70, and, on this supposition, he had said he would see them through with it. They had con tributed £94 Ms. They might have refused to do anything at all. I hey would have heard that the Cambridge people were determined to carry through this road, and they could have refused to do anything towards it, and nothing could have compelled them to do so. But thay had also contributed 7s per chaiufor the first part of the road, whish amounted to £83 15s 6d. Mr A ll will said this part of the road to which Mr Maclean had contributed was of no advantage to him. Mr Selby asked if Mr Maclean had fulfilled his px'omise with regard to this road ? Mr Runcimau reiterated what he had stated before, that when Mr Maclean hud said he would fe3 them through with it, he had been led to believe that £60 or l"70 would do the work. He (Mr Ruuciman) believed Mr Maclean had fulfilled his promise as far as he had been led to suppose would bo required of him, when he made it. Mr Robert Kirkwood wanted to know to what purpose was all this discussion. The question was : is this road to be of great advantage to Cambridge ; is it going to raise the price of land, and put £ 1 a head more value on every head of cattle m the district ? If so, why not have the road carried through as speedily as possible, regardless of the cost ? He believed the balance at the bunk to the credit of the road would be sufficient to complete it. There were a good many families just settling on Mr Whyte's land. This road would bring them five miles nearer Cambridge than Hamilton. The road should be completed without delay. Mr Fantham sugested that a resolution should be passed, giving the New Highway Board authority to finish the construction of the road. Mr Forrest proposed that the report and statement of accounts, as read, of the Cambridge and Piako Road Committee, be adopted, and that the new Road Board be requested to push on the work, with a view to completion, as soon as possible. Mr Clarke seconded. Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting.