MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1929, Page 7

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

i record construction. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. WELLINGTON, October 18. The monthly meeting of the Main Highways Board was held at Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday. ' A statement of accounts submitted to the board for the half-yearly period ended September 30 shows the following receipts: £ Tyre tax 77,835 Motor vehicle registration and license fees 324,107 Petrol tax 421,242 Total -.£823,186 The authorisation in the case of the Revenue. Fund for the six-monthly period amounts to £854,0J). Of this amount, approximately £400,000 has been, expended. In the case of the Construction Fund, a total sum of £912,000 has been authorised, 'and of this amount £504,000 has been expended.

The expenditure in the ease of the Construction Fund is greater than the expenditure for any previous winter period of the board’s operation. The sum of £400,0C0 has been transferred from the Main Highways Revenue Fund to Main Highways Construction. Fund, and a further transfer of £200,000 were authorised. Several important paving works which were held up during the winter season will be recommenced shortly. The longest job of this nature is between the Pareora River Bridge and Waimate, covering a distance of approximately fourteen miles. The paving of his section with bituminous concrete is scheduled for completion by the end of March next. Steps are being taken by the board to .complete the plans and specifications in connection with paving between Rangiora and Woodend, so that tenders can be invited as soon as the annual estimates have been passed by Parliament. Likewise, in Ashburton County, on the Christchurch-Dunedin main highway, the necessary preliminary steps dre being taken so that a commencement can be made with reformation as soon as the estimates have been passed by Parliament.

The board has instructed that the Moutere deviation on the main highway between Nelson and Collingwood is to be' put ill hand. Construction of this deviation will eliminate a had turn on the present highway, where several accidents have taken place. •The board recently investigated a' proposed deviation in the Manawatu George to serve as a detour during trie reconstruction of the toll bridge on which, by reason of the condition of the bridge, it has been found necessary to limit loads to 3 tons. From information obtained, however, the board has decided not to proceed with the deviation. Immediate steps are being taken to build a new bridge, and construction will be carried out in a manner which will permit- of traffic being served while the work is being carried on.

The board has placed a number of unemployed on highway construction works during the past few weeks, and a further schedule has been prepared. The board has selected a number of essential construction works for the unemployed. and a considerable number of men will be absorbed on highway construction.