ISLAND STOCK ROAD.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 905, 1 June 1903, Page 3

ISLAND STOCK ROAD.

DLSCUSSKiJ AT JiOAJiD JIJiEHXC

At ti e monthly meeting of the AVhataupoko Road Board, Mr W. U. Lysnar brought up the subject of tho proposed crossing for stock at the site in tho Waimata river known as Tho Island. He said that the owner of the property, Mr Arundel, had been approached in tho matter, and was willing to allow this road to go through his property for compensation at the rate of X6O an aero. If tho Board gave their approval, ho wouid ascertain if the settlers and freezing companies wouid defray the cost of tho land. Ho thought that it could be arranged. Tim Chairman said that tho Board could not afford to undertake tho metalling of the road. Mr Lysnar : They will not bo asked to do so.

The Chairman said it seemed to him to be on all fours with tho case of Mr Lawless, who wanted to cut up his Mangapupa property. He was informed that tho Board could not take it over unless he provided XOO for forming and metalling tho road, and lie had offered to provide the funds for the* Board to do the work. Mr Lysnar said tho cases wore different. Tn tiie one ail owner desired to cut up his property, while in the other the owner had been approached to permit of a road being taken that would bo of great public convenience.

The Chairman contended that the cases wore alike as far as tho Board was concerned, and they could not differentiate Ho doubted if they could legally take over a road that was not formed or metalled. As to Mr Lawless’s road, it was one that would be of great service to a largo number of people, hut tho Board could not take it over for that reason, unless the Act were complied with. Mr Sievwright suggested that a resolution might bo so framed as to protect tho Board against any liability. Mr Lysnar said lie was quito agreeable to that. There was no desire to put expense on tiie Board. If the hitler itself took over the road it was not compulsory to do anything in tho way of maintenance. Tiie Chairman said they must look to

the future. Mr Arundel could no doubt profitably cut up his land into sections, and in that case there would naturally be claims on the Board to have the road put in such order ns would cost more than the Board could afford. Mr Hauioii : No doubt ho will cut up the land eventually. In any case, continued the Chairman, he had a very strong objection to stock being driven along the Riverside road. Ho liinught they should insist on them being taken over the hill road, as it wouid be must dangerous to ladies and cbildron if stock were driven along this narrow Riverside road.

Mr Lysnar said ho did not think there would be any fear on that score. A 3 to Ml- Arundel cutting up his laud that might not occur within ten years, and in till) meantime tho public would enjoy tho advantage of having ono of their streets relieved, and greatly reducing tho danger there now was in driving stock over tho Taruhoru bridge. After further discussion, it wa3 unanimously agreed on tho motion of Mr Lysnar, that the Board approved of tho road being taken over, provided the Board was protected against any expense, and tho legal conditions wore complied with beforo tho road was vested in the

Board, In reply to Mr McConnell, who asked how it would bo if an accident happened on tho road, Mr Lysnar said the Board would not be liable unless the accident was caused through some act of their own.

In the course of tho discussion the Chairman said there was nothing to prevent the Freezing Companies and settlers purchasing tho laud and using it for a road, so that tho crossing could be utilized, but Mr Lysnar said that it was preferable to have tho road under the control of the public body. Tho Chairman reiterated that tfcoy should insist on no stock being driven via the Riverside road, and that the road over the hill must bo used. Mr Lysnar did not think the Board could prevent anyone using a road, but no one would think of taking stock along tho Riverside road. They could not do it. Tim Chairman : Oh, pardon me ; I have done it myself years ago. There is too much foot traffic to permit it there

now. ! Me Lysnar said that no sensiblo driver would go that way ; if a break away oc- , curred ilio animals would fall over the ‘ bank. lie appealed to Mr McConnell, as one who had had a,good deal of expericnee, whether it was likely stock would bo taken that way. Mr McConnell said they might do so, ( but he thought anyone would prefer to ( take the road over the hill. j Mr Ly.-amr : There you are ; you have _ a practical opinion that there is no reason j {or fear on that score. (