HIGHWAYS BOARD

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18370, 1 May 1925, Page 5

HIGHWAYS BOARD

I TEN MONTHS 9 WORK. I

INFORMATIVE RESUME. Au informative resume of the operations of the Main Highways Board for the past ten months has been received by Mr P. R. Harman, secretary of the South Island Motor Union, from Mr M. IL Wynyard, motorists' representative on the Board. It is as follows: The Main nigh-ways Board actually started its active functions on Julv 12th, 1924, on which date the first batch of main highways was gazetted. Up to that date the settling of the policy of the Board in various directions 'and of forms of procedure and the hundred-and-one preliminary matters involved in the launching of a new system, as well as the consideration of recommendations by the various District Councils in regard to proposed highways and other matters, fully occupied the time of the Board. Financial Matters. At the outset, the Board's finances were not in as happy a condition as could have been wished, as although thero was about £250,000 of accumulated tyre tax as a nucleus, as well as current receipts from the same source, that form of taxation had not realised the amount anticipated. Consequently, to meet possible maintenance contributions, other funds were required, and the fact that the Motor Vehicles Bill had not been passed in 1923 left the anticipated revenue from that source "in the air." The passing of that measure in the 1924 session and the fact that registrations thereunder exceeded all anticipations, have, during the past two months, placed the Board in "Easy street" so far as the rovenue account was concerned. As a result, the Board has recommended an increase in its maintenance contributions, recognising that local bodies should be encouraged as much as possible to improve their existing roads by adequate and constant attention, rather than expend money on costly reconstruction, unless the latter course is absolutely essential. A perusal of tho remarks by Mr A. Tyndall (engineer attached to the Board) on the need for improved maintenance of the Dominion's roads, and the comparatively quick and effective benefits that will accrue from attention to this phase of the roading question, will show the wisdom of the Board's proposal. Legislative authority will be necessary to enable the Board to increase its maintenance subsidy beyond the one-third now permitted, but with the benefits so apparent and the funds available, there should be little difficulty about this.

Economical Aspect. One function the Board has to assume in its consideration of construction proposals is the economical aspect, and where there is any doubt on the question, it requires adequate traffic tallies as a basis on which to work. "While analysis of the economies of each proposition is necessary in tho interests of the Board's constructive fund, it is also of value to the Ideal bodies to provide against either an iuadequato or too extensive work in each particular case. The Board is also assisting the local bodies in the purchase' of the necessary plant on easy terms, and in cases where assistance .is reasonable, through the poverty of the district and tho fact that the bulk of the traffic is through traffic foreign to the locality, has contributed more than its statutory percentage, by having the roads affected declared Government roads, thereby enabling attention to bq given, to sections of highway which the local body could not reasonably be expected to attend to unless subsidised at a • higher rate than the Statute provides. At the same time, in any applications in this direction the Board makes full enquiry into the financial ability of tho applicant local body in comparison with other local bodies throughout the Dominion, and particularly in respect of its valuation and proportionate rates, before deciding to recommend any Government road. It is needless to say that a local body has to make out a very clear caso to obtain such a declaration. Applications for Assistance. The Board had many applications from boroughs for assistance, but in the majority of cases reserved consideration until its finances were assured. It has now, in view of its improved revenue, under conditions safeguarding the public's interests, decided to contribute towards the maintenance of main highways through boroughs having a population of 6000 and under. "When all returns are received from the Postal Department, the assessment of revenue under Section 21 of the Main' Highways Act between the North and South Islands will be made. . It is only possible in a short resume of this nature to touch on a few of the many policv matters that have been dealt with "by the Main Highways Board, but I can say with confidence that every member of" the Board, whatever, interests he may represent, is imbued with the desire to make a success of the new system of main road administration and" finance committed to their care. Bonic was not built in a day, and a new system of any kind requires timo to knock into shape. Alterations and amendments arc required, and time fcnd experience necessary to oil the wheels. The operation of. the first eight months has, I think, given as good results as could have been anticipated, and indications point to the current year's operations effecting very pronounced improvements in main road 3 in different parts of New Zealand.