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Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1928, Page 2

In the remarks just made on tho highways the reference has been entirely to the maintenance side of the ease. There remains another important aspect, that of construction or reconstruction. In regard to constructional work, except in special cases, the subsidy from the Highways Board, is in general £L for £l. The- modern road considered equal to the growing traffic, is a costly work. On the main highway there is the drift from the ordinary macadamised road, to the bitumen surface or concrete body. The reconstruction in cither of the two latter forms is very expensive, and for any length of road to lie so reconditioned, the local body must invariably raise a loan to find its quota of the cost. It seems manifest that for many localities the cost is prohibitive, and the alternative is more expensive maintenance of the gravel roads to keep them up to the liest rquiremonts possibl. Local bodies have a problem regarding the resurfacing of the chief highways, liecause of the cost, and some study is necessary to arrive at a trite economic survey. Estimate* for the bitumen surface or concrete body run into large figures and the cost requires to Ik> compared against the charge for maintenance. Metalled roads, subjected to constant heavy motor traffic require practically daily attention, and the cost of this works out at a considerable sum per mile per annum. It remains to be seen therefore at what cost the more permanent roadway can be laid down, and with tho interest and sinking fund charges known, a relative comparison can be made. So, much lias been done now in the matter of road construction and reconstruction, that tho Highways Board should have considerable data ns to mileage costs in tlio different materials, with some idea of the ultimate maintenance charges. The roads of the Dominion extend far and wide now, and typical localities could be indicated to serve as a ground work for comparisons, and with that valuable information available, local bodies, and the ratepayers for the matter of that, could draw their own conclusions n.s to the expediency of turning more attention to the reconstruction of arterial roads to render them more serviceable for tlie traffic, and in tho end less costly to- those concerned in the matter of maintenance. This is a question gradually- becoming more and more pressing throughout New Zealand.