MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18234, 19 November 1924, Page 9

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

DISTRICT COUNCIL NO. 14. The meeting of tho District Highways Council No. 14, called for yesterday afternoon, lapsed owing to a quorum net being present. An informal discussion on tho matters to have been dealt with by tho meeting took place, but no formal resolutions were arrived at. Those who attended Mere: Messrs F. Langbein, Resident Engineer, P.W.D. (chairman), J. Leslie (Paparua), H. A. Knight (Malvern), C. Flavell R, W. llawke (Waimairi), R. G. Wolff (Eyre), and Alex Thompson (Springs), The North Koad. Mr Ilawko referred to tho proposed deputation from the conference of local bodies, held in Rangiora on October 21st, relative to matters connected with the construction and maintenance of the North road, the principal point, he said, was whether tne boroughs ut Kaiapoi and Rangiora could combine with tho Counties in the- No. 14 Highways District for the purpose, of obtaining a suitable road-making plant. The chairman remarked that lie did not quite see what that had to do with the Highways Council. There was surely no objection to the two boroughs combining with the counties ; to purchase plant. Mr Hawko said the boroughs recognised that they had no standing in the Highways Council, but their representatives had certain suggestions to maJtc and wore anxious to hear a discussion on. standard roads. The chairman said the Waimairi County's proposal waa to purchase a plant costing £3OOO to deal with the 15 miles of the North road in tho County, spread ovor a limited distance the cost of tho plant made it heavy per mile. Mr i-*,'iwke said they anticipated that surrounding districts, after seeing what the plant had dono, would desire to use it- the Waimairi County estimated that it would tako three years to complete the 15 miles. In remarks made later on, Mr Hawko said the portion of the Ricoarton road in the County cost more to maintain that the North road. The County was holding off doing much on the Riccarton road until a decision was arrived 1 at regarding a road-construction plant. Replying to the chairman, Mr Hawho said Waimairi had applied to the Highways Board for assistance in respect of the purchase of the plant, but the application was turned down and no reason given.

Tho chairman: T. think they considered that the mileage did not warrant the plant. Mr Hawke. "What alternative would they suggest? That is surely not sufficient to stop people putting r down a permanent rond—the shortness of the distance is all the more reason why tho road should be pood, and you oannot do that without a plant. If they had said that they would find one-third, or advance us the money and give us live or ten years in which to repay it, they would have given us some encouragement. The chairman remarked that as the representatives of the boroughs of Kaiapoi and Rangiora were not present, he did not think they could go any .further in the matter at present. Mr Wolff asked if, in the event of Waimairi. obtaining a plant, they would hire it to Eyre, so that they could use it for the two and a-half to three miles of the North road in that County. Tho chairman said that would be a matter for the two Counties to arrange between themselves. Mr Wolff: Wo cannot he expected to buy a plant for that short distance.

The chairman" You might assist in purchasing it. Mr Hawke said ho thought it was as broad r.s it was long—whether Waipijiiri hired to Eyre, or whether Eyre assisted to purchase. There, would lie plontv of work for the plant: Waimairi's side roads now were moro used by motor traffic than the North road was ten years ago. After further discussion, the subject was dropped, but will conie up probably at the next meeting of the Council to be held some time next month.

Sumnor-Lyttelton Boad. Matters relating to the SumnerLyttelton road wore discussed, but the chairman requested that tho remarks made should bo considered as having been made in committee. Christchuxcli-Dujiedin Road. Tho-chairman announced that in response to a request. from tho Selwyn County, the Highways Board had authorised the talcing of a tally on the Christehurch-Dunedin rpad to ascertain where the traffic came from, and had: voted £ls for tho purpose. The tally was arranged to bo tuken in the last week of October—just when tlie heavy rain was experienced, and when there was practically no traffic. Tt would bo taken some* time next month. Mr Thompson said it should have been taken last week—there had been an almost continuous stream of cars. Heavy Traffic By-Laws. Regarding a resolution forwarded by the No. 'S District Highway Council (Taranaki) relative to a proposed amendment of the Municipal Corporations Act in respect of the issue of heavy traffic licenses, it was agreed to hold* the matter over to the December meeting, when it was hoped that members would be in possession of copies of last 'Session's legislation dealing with heavy traffic—tho Public Works Act Amendment. Proposed North Boad Deviation. Mr Wolff referred to the Eyre County's proposed' deviation of the North* road, and asked if the Highways Board would bear the cost of the survey. The chairman said he would make enquiries into the matter.