The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1931. HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1931. HIGHWAYS MAINTENANCE

During the last lew days, members of the Highways Board have been touring the far north of New Zealand, add hearing representations filom County Councils in respect to Highway maintenance. The general trend of the remarks has beta for relief under the present system. It would appear that in several of the Counties there has been a heavy loan expenditure for road construction works, and there carry annually recurring obligations in inter, ost and sinking fund payments. The loans are secured by special rates, but with the roads improved the volume of traffic lias grown tremendously, and the maintenance costs have increased greatIv. The local bodies are finding the situation very burdensome now. With the low level of produce prices, tarmacs are finding ir difficult to meet their rating obligations, and there was the appeal to the Highways Board for more relief for local Indies from the petrol tax. The Board was asked to provide for interest and sinking find out of petrol taxation, when the roads were main or secondary highways, so as to leave more of the avail-

able rates for the upkeep of main and

district roads not receiving highway subsidies from the Hoard. There was also the request that in furthrr constructional work the ratio of subsidy from the Board should be increased from £ for £to £3 for £l. The reply of the Board representatives was not help ui. It was to the effect that their duty was to administer Urn law and not make it or even to vary it. What was asked for was a matter for Parliament, and it will be to that final authority to which appeal must bo made ultimately. The deputations u liicb waited on the Highways Board, also, sought assistance in regard to derating whereby relief in regard to general rates could be given the settlers. Here again the hands of the Board were tied, but the opinion was expressed that this request asked rather too much. Derating would upset the securi(\ 011 which loans had been raised anti would lead generally to a good deal •of disorganisation in local body finance Assuming that a local body continued its management and maintenance along the lines of past standards, the same amount of money would be required annually, Derating would at the least be only a readjustment of the total ui that there would be some alteration in the incidence, lust no change in H total required. Relief by this means would he difficult and even dangerous, I because of the disorganisation which would vp suit. When Parliament meets, it would appear there will bo a clamour for more assistance from the petrol fax. Immediately there will be conflict, with the motoring organisations whence has come opposition to all ad- ' aneos in petrol duty. One suggestion I has been that, the local bodies and the motoring interests should meet in conference and agree on proposals to be put before Parliament. This offers the best, hope of some agreement being reached, and on that account should be attempted. Tt would appear that as matters are now shaping, local bodies having heavy obligations for highways upkeep, will require to revise their position closely, and exercise a degree of economy in both adminstration and maintenance. It is probable constructional works will be suspended generally, and the attention to maintenance should, therefore bo on more liberal lines ' It is clear that local bodies will have I their problems in regard to highways ’ maintenance during the year now en- 1 tered on.