MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1926, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

(south island tour

2000 MILES OF ROAD INSPECTED

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 3

Speaking to it reporter yesterday morning on tho recent tour of the South Island made by the Main Highways Board, Mr .1. I). Bruce .said that, the tour had occupied IT days, iu width time 2000 miles of highway had hoe a covered and more than sixty local bodies and authorities interviewed. Everywhere on the tour acknowledgement had been expressed of the fact that since the Main Highways Board had been functioning there had been distinct improvement in the condition of main highways. “In the measures adopted for maintenance,'’ said Mr Bruce, “gravel is used, with few exceptions. Gravel is available at fairly low cost compared with North Island figures, and where line shingle surface is used the result is a first-class travelling surface, evenly maintained, lids is the system recommended by the hoard, and the experience of the trip has greatly strengthened tho ideas of the memhc; with regard to its utility. Several counties are using shingle as it came from the pit, in different sizes, and it is difficult to get it to sot well. Shingle of this nature should be screened. Screening outfits are availaide. and prove a more economical method in the long run. Broken metal can he used in the same way, and the screening taken out for use as surfacing. The initial cost of this process is somewhat greater, hut the result is equally good.” Continuing, he said that reading had largely to he done as dictated l>y local conditions. They had observed this point on the West Coast, with its excessive moisture and saturated soil, the high country of Central Otago, and jSouth Canterbury, which was dry, and the rocky liili country of the other parts of the island. All these required different methods of treatment, hut the general principles remained the same. The members of the hoard recognised these difficulties, and were endeavouring to supply information. advice and plant to the counties, to enahl? them to work on the general plan. “Discussions of matters of importante with the various local bodies and authorities were productive of a much better understanding of the policy of the Main Highways Board, and the visit lias been instrumental ill removing u rung feeling. The hoard received a great deal of valuable information, and by it.s personal inspection gained much more accurate information on the points under review; local bodies usually displayed a co-operative spirit, and expressed their ideas for the assistance of the general scheme.”

With regard to the increase ol the subsidy to C for £. Mr Bruce gave it as his opinion that it had released many difficulties and helped many counties.

The heavy traffic revenue, the hoard had found, had not been collected in some counties, where there had been no imposition of tho license fee. In most cases it had been collected, hut no understanding had been reached as to its distribution, consequently matters were held up. As it was the end of the financial year next month, the hoard had urged the local bodies coiicermad to lake immediate, stops to have the matter attended to. as. if this was not done a I once, the Audit Department /would probably lake action.

The louring party, who left on .January loth., returned last Sunday. It is intended later on to make a eoninrahensive tour of the North . Island, which lias difficulties all its own.