MAIN HIGHWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1930, Page 6

MAIN HIGHWAYS

REDUCTION OF EXPENDITURE

(By,Telegraph—Per Press Association.)

BLENHEIM, May 2. •In the course of some remarks at the Conference of the Mil in lghways Board with the Marlborough local bodies,. Mr F. W. Furkert, the Chairman of the Board, made it clear that the board are fully expecting a in their income this year, and in consequence he said, they would have to restrict their expenditure in some degree. Mr Furkert*s remarks were prompted by the fact that several requests were made to the Board for the declaration of additional highways, in connection with which the Board would have to pay subsidies. The Board reviews the Main Highways every year, and that review is due this month. He stated: “We must consider the .-present financial position. All the indications at tlie present time are that the public are going to have smaller purchasing power than for several years past. That means that they will burn . leSs benzine, use less tyres, and probabv import fewer motor cars, and it is almost certain that our revenue will be less. It will wot increase in the uvav in which it has been increasing. We will have to go very cannily before we declare many extra highways.” Mr Furkert proceeded: “Any modifications that we make may be in the direction of removing from the list roads which do not justify inclusion in the category of highways, and giving in substitution, roads that have stronger claims to being declared. The whole business will have tp be gone into carefully in connection with the annual review.”