The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. Monday, august 4, 1930. HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. Monday, august 4, 1930. HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

The particulars published on Saturday in respect to the work of the Highways Board in the Coastal districts indicated that the total expenditure for the year ended March last, aggregated the substantial sum of £137,791. The No. 12 Highways District comprises the County areas of Buller, Inangahua, Grey and Westland, and the liability of the Board is in respect to the arterial roads stretching from Karamea in the north to Waiho Gorge in the south. Involved in the expenditure was almost £50,000 for the restoration of earthquake damage, with a contingent liability this year in the same account of £84,500, and we. understand that will not complete the work, which includes the reopening of the highway— Lye 11 to Murchison—and the highway to Karamea. On the latter work there are still nine miles of road to remake. The Board has thus had a considerable liability in respect to earthquake damage,and the Advisory Council at Greymouth on Friday did well to express appreciation for what had been done in the matter of road reconstruction. Important districts were cut off by the great upheaval involving arterial roads which happened to be highways, and the Board had no option but to set about restoration. It was fortunate funds- were so readily at hand, and the whole- community must appreciate the manner in which the work was attacked and is being carried out. There are upwards of 500 miles of main highway in the No. ]2 District, so that the average expenditure per mile ha' been considerable. This is accounted for by the large number of bridges which have been constructed. Mnnv important bridges have been erected, and a number repaired. In this district on the Main Smith ro’au, the Highways Board has been responsible for the building of various bridges which now assure an all-weather trip through to Waiho Gorge. That is a great boon for all classes of traffic, and lms been of great service in helping the district and assuring its permanent prosperity. The estimates for this year have to be curtailed, but they are kept at- the limit. Some £35.000 is setdown for new works, and £77.000 for maintenance over the four counties, irrespective of the £84,570 estimated for oartlmake damage restoration. These totals, again, include many

necorsarv bridges. Another direction in which the Highways Board lias helped greatly is in regard to the opening up of the Coastal road—linking Greymouth and Westport. Of £18,603 spent on the road during the past year, the Board found £16,000. This important road in Coast traffic is now nearing completion, and already is serving a most useful purpose in intercommunication. As soon as the Lyell section of the Main Highway is opened, the Coast route is going to he of special service for all through' traffic to Nelson and Blenheim, and will become the popular vogue even for motoring to Wellington, via Pieton. The report published in the previous issue set out in detail the major works completed, and since then others are in hand, the activities of the Public Works Department and local .bodies being well maintained. The district has derived a special benefit from the highways . system which has enabled the arterial roads to he brought up to a stall dm d as good as any prevailing, in the Dominion. The class of gravel and material available generally is most helpful for the making of good roads, and the No. 12 District is beginning to enjoy something,of a reputation on that score. Very happy relations appear to exist as between the local bodies and the controlling authorities of the Highways Board and in that pleasant understanding we may expect a continuation of the good work now going forward, With the highways improved the standard of Jdie roads feeding the arterial roads are also improving, so that generally the users of the macs are. being well catered for,