The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1928. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1928. ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

From the particulars published yesterday regarding the recommendations from the Main Highways Council to the Main Highways Board, covering the requirements of the Coast district in the matter of road improvements, it would appear that considerable work is to be undertaken. The particulars published locally were in the main in reference to Wetland County, but proposals on a. similar scale were approved covering works of a like class for the Buller, Inangahua and Grey Counties. It has been noticeable for some time past that a general improvement in the main highways has been manifest, and with what is proposed now, the Coast roads should be brought into a greatly improved state. Modern traffic demands these improvements, and is providing the ways and means through the various channels of special taxation which enable an improved class of road to be built and maintained in much better order than was possible heretofore. The Highways Council has no powers of expenditure, but the members with their local knowledge, are able to frame proposals, and these are sent on to the Highways Board, the members for which are now more or less conversant with the general reading conditions of the Dominion. The Board has a large sum to its credit, and further substantial revenue is accruing through the lately imposed petrol tax. This resource is the main spring providing the funds for the works in sight. In regard to the Dominions as a whole, the greater half of the funds available have been going to the North Island, where there are more vehicles in use. There is a larger proportion in the north than the south, and the northern roads being newer and most costly to construct, have prompted the local bodies in general to raise loans to secure larger subsidies from the Board, and many permanent roads have been laid down. Many parts of the North Island are now well served with excellent roads, and one result is serious competition with the railways in respect to transport. But although this is so, the steady improvement of the roads goes on, and the districts are availing themselves of tire means to put down better surfaced roads. In this district the proposals for the roads are on the usual lines of maintenance. There is not any suggestion yet of concrete or bitumen, but excellent macadam roads are possible, and these are

ing concentrated on. The average cost of maintenance in Westland County appoans to be below that of the neighbouring districts, which is credit a bio to the local administration. It is satisfactory to find that several sections of the roads are to bo improved in. the matter ol' grading, and with regard to bad corners. Money is earmarked for tiiis class of work in different localities, which is a recognition of a very necessary requirement. In regard to bridges, satisfactory condition obtains. Those on the main south road have been enumerated in what is regarded as the order of importance, and are to be put in hand as quickly as cirou instances will permit. Sonic three or four bridges are to be provided for this year, and as they are the more important and most costly, their early erection should ensure funds being available next year for tbc remainder of the bridges urgently required on the main section of the south road. The volume of traffic growing on the southern road justices the better provision for transit, and it is quite likely the coming season will afford further reason for more and lucre attention being given to the perfecting of the south road for the traffic which now hails from all parts of the Dominion. The position as it presents itself at tiiis stage should afford very general satisfaction to all concerned in the welfare of the distreit in regard to the improvement of the arterial roads. It is an indication that the district is keeping step with other parts of New Zealand in the general progress and development going forward, and that certainly is a matter for general gratification and satisfaction.