D.--lvs

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Eastbourne. The results of the tallies of traffic in this case shew a very small use. They are— Result No. 1 .. .. .. .. 0-28 per centResult No. 2 .. .. .. .. 0-33 Result No. 3 .. .. .. .. 0-19 This will not support a large contribution. I think, however, that something should be allowed for expansion. Eastbourne will be closer by road to the Hutt Road now that the new Hutt Bridge will be opened, and this will induce traffic to it. Counsel for Eastbourne pleaded that the main connection between it and Wellington was by steamer, and this is true. At the same time I am of opinion that with the great increase in motor vehicles which is evidently coming, the Borough of Eastbourne will be brought into much closer touch with Wellington than is now the case, for ten or fifteen miles is nothing for a modern motor-car.. I consider, therefore, that it is fair that Eastbourne should bear \ per cent, of the cost. Conclusion. For reasons already given I hereby report that in my opinion the evidence shows that the cost of forming and constructing the new Hutt Road ought to be borne in the following proportions :■ — Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. 38 per cent, of the cost. Petone Borough .. .. .. .. . . 18 ~ ~ Lower Hutt Borough .. .. .. 14 ~ ~ Makara County .. .. .. .. .. 12 ~ ~ Hutt County ... .. .. .. .. 8 ~ ~ Onslow Borough . . .. .. .. .. 6 ~ ~ Johnsonville Town Board .. .. .. .. 2 ~ „ Upper Hutt Town Board .. .. .. \\ „ ~ Eastbourne Borough .. .. .. .. \ ~ ~ Miramar Borough .. .. .. .. J ~ .-, 100 The effect of this apportionment or any other apportionment will, if adopted, be very severely felt by all the local bodies, for in addition to their share of the future cost of maintaining the road, they will also have to contribute annually the following amounts as interest and sinking fund (at 5 per cent.) on the cost of the road, assuming that it has cost about £100,000 as is alleged by the Railway Department, viz. : — £ Wellington City .. .. .. .. .. 1,900 a year. Petone Borough .. .. .. .. .. .. 900 ~ Lower Hutt Borough .. .. .. .. .. 700 ~ Makara County .. .. .. .. .. .. 600 „ Hutt County .. .. .. .. .. .. 400 „ Onslow Borough .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 ~ Johnsonville Town Board . . .. .. ' .. .. 100 ~ Upper Hutt Town Board .. .. .. .. .. 62 10s. a year. Eastbourne Borough f. .. .. .. .. 25 ~ Miramar Borough .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 10s. ~ £5,000 The parties contend that this, is a colonial work, and they asked me to above facts before your notice, in the hope that under the peculiar circumstances connected with this case the Government would see its way to reduce the claim against the local bodies to £25,000. I have done so, but, as this is a question of policy, it is not fitting that I should express any opinion thereon. I have, &c, W. S. Short, Commissioner. Approximate Cost of Paper, —Preparation, not given; printing (I*soo copies), £7 10s.

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