MAIN HIGHWAY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9847, 28 October 1924, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAY

OVER 6000 AIILES OF ROADS

DECLARED

“EVERYTHING- NOW IN READ-

INESS.”

AVELLINGTON, Oct. 27. In accordance with the Alain Highways Act says the ' Public; "Works Statement, the Alain Highways Board was to have com,e into operation at a date not earlier than Ist April, 1024, but'owing to various unavoidable delays it was the 9th June, 1924, befoie the principal schedule of main highways was declared. From that date the whole of these main highways came under the operations of the Act. The length of main highways already declared is approximately 6008 miles, of which a considerable number in sparsely settled districts have been declared Government roads, in order that the Board may he able to contribute to their construction and maintenance on a more liberal basis than is legally possible in connection with tho, ordinary main highways, there have been legal difficulties in the initiatory process incidental to the commencement of works, and ceitaan amendments to the Act are required before the local authorities can pioeeed with their proposals. Everything is now in readiness to permit of works being vigorously prosecuted as soon as. these legal difficulties have been overcome. ....... The Dominion has been divided into eighteen highway districts. For all of those districts Highway Councils lia\e been constituted, and, generally, everything is in train for the carryuvgoiit of the intentions of the AlainHighways Act-. The actual proposals for work, as a rule, and except in the case of Government roads originate witn the County Councils. These proposals are forwarded through the District Highway Councils to the Board. Alleady numerous proposals have been received and ini the majority of cases are for the surfacing of roads in a manner suitable for modern conditions. The specifications for such surfacing range from ordinary gravel to bituminous concrete, and 1 in a feu. cases cement concerte. In the majority of cases only provisional approval could be given to these proposals as it was await the* passing of the estimates lor the current- year under the Construction Account of the Alain Highways Board. .. . There have been many applications urging the declaration of additional highways, as there have also been many claims that roads which have been declared main highways should also be declared Government roads, m order to secure more liberal treatment in tonus of section 22 of the Main Highways Act; also numerous requests from boroughs that the Board should take over control of certain streets that have proved to be difficult to maintain on account of the excessive amount of foreign traffics I lie first report by the Board will be due as soon as practicable after Ist April, 1925.

GRANTS FOR-' GISBORNE DISTRICT. -

Gisbnrne-AVairoa- (via Morere), (free £13,435; £3 for.£l, £7-50) £I4TSo. Giisborne-Opotiki (via the Coast), (free, £13.169; £3 for £l, £2020; £2 for £l, £ 15,056; £1 for £l, £lO,l/9) £43,429. . . . . .. Gisborne-0 pot iki (via Motu), (free, £3700; £2 "for £l, £1868; £1 for £l, £1125), £6693. . Gi sb or i,'e-AV air on- (via Hangaroa), (£1 for £1), £2250'. Rotokautuku Bridge-Tikitixi Road (via right bank AVaiami River), (free) £4OO. Total, £66,957.