Public Works Act

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 37, 10 September 1889, Page 2

Public Works Act

The Public W^orks Acts Amendment makes some useful provisions as regards local bodies, and special reference to them was made by the Chairman at the last meeting of the Manchester Road Board, in connection with the drain on the funds of the Board by the Onepuhi Bridge, shjwing that under the amended Act. if it should be lucky enough to pass the Legislative Council, the Board could be relieved of a portion of the burden by transferring it to adjacent public bodies which directly or indirectly benefit by the work, but which at present contribute nothing towards the same. Clause 17 provides : In any case where the local authority of any diotrict desires to construct a bridge, or to establish a ferry or ford, in any position that will be of advantage or benefit to the whole or any considerable portion of the inhabitants of an adjacent district or districts, as well as to the inhabitants of its own district, should contribute to the cost of constructing or establishing the said bridge, ford, or ferry. The local authority shall prepare plans and specifications and estimates of the proposed work and sent copies to each local authority, which it is proposed should contribute towards the work. If an objection is lodged the Governor may appoint a Eesident Magistrate or Commission to consider it, but the Governor is not to be bound by the opinion of such official, and if the Governor is of opinion the work should be done he may authorise the local body to execute such work, and may declare the proportion of the cost thereof, to be borne by the other local bodies. This Act, if it becomes law, should prove a great boon here. Works of general interest, such as a bridge over the Kiwitea on the Kimbolton road, and another over the Oroua Biver on the Feilding-Bunnythorpe road, could then be undertaken without any ex cessive burden being placed on any one body of taxpayers.