RAGLAN RILL

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 8

RAGLAN HILL

DECLARED MAIN HIGHWAY HIGHER SUBSIDY SOUGHT. MINISTER OF WORKS APPROACHED. (Special Reporter). RAGLAN, Saturday. For many years the Raglan Town Board have been endeavouring to get what is known as the Town Hill declared a main highway and to get it graded and metalled in substitution of the present metalled low roads, which get into a very bad state in winter time. The Hill Road has at last been declared a main highway and last night, the Town Board asked the Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom) for a grant of £2 for £1 for the new work, instead of the usual £1 for £1. Mr T. Parker (chairman of the Town Board) pointed out that this route was shorter and the upkeep in future would be much less than that of the old road. The city engineer’s estimate for forming and metalling the road to meet the county’s requirements was £400, whereas to satisfy the Public Works engineer's requirements, the work would have to cost at least £1,200. The low road required considerable upkeep, far more than would be required to maintain the hill road when put in order. Mr Dyson (Auckland District Engineer) said the Public Works Department had not yet drawn up an estimate of the .work. Mr K. Wright (County Engineer) referred to an earlier estimate by the department which, he said, was £1,200. The Minister said he could not dictate to the Highways Board, but he would pass on the wisli of the Town Board to the former body. Mr Dyson said the Highways Board had not yet approved of the modified scheme. He did not think it had been put before them. Mr Parker said the low road had fallen into disrepair, as everybody used the Hill and the people could not understand what was holding up the hill scheme. Mr Campbell Johnstone, (County Chairman) said that if the larger scheme were undertaken the county would be required to find £600, which would mean depriving some other part of the road or county. Mr Lee Martin asked if the hill had been definitely declared a main highway. Mr Dyson said it had. Mr J. Thompson pointed out that the hill unfortunately was in the town board area and the townspeople paid both county and town board rates. The Minister thought the Highways Board would insist upon the road being of a standard consistent with its importance. He considered the next move was for the county engineer to submit his proposals to the Highways Board. He reiterated that he would place the representations made before the Highways Board.