HIGHWAY POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1931, Page 5

HIGHWAY POLICY

IMPROVED RAILWAY CROSSINGS

AVGJ |LLYGTOX, May 21

The Main Highway s Board at a meet, jag this week made tentative financial allocations to District Highways Councils to meet construction and maintenance works lor the financial year, ]93132, and lias invited District Councils to submit recommendations prior to framing tne annual estimates.

The board, in accordance with the statute, is also referring to these councils the annual review of main highways, but its finances will preclude it from declaring as main highways any substantial mileage this year, and the review will be confined to very special cases where altered conditions justify assistance from the board.

Some time ago the Highways Board opened up negotiations with the Rail; way Department for the improvement of visibility at railway crossings, and a final agreement was made that each party would contribute towards the cost in equal shares. However, it wa s reported at this meeting that owing to tiie Railway Department’s restricted revenue it i.s unable to make any funds available for line purpose during the current year, therefore the work contemplated will be greatly restricted. The Wairoa bridge, carrying the main highway to Gisborne, was so seriously damaged by the earthquake that it lias not since been used for road traffic. The board considered the question uf rebuilding, deciding to do so on the present site in Wairoa. The preparation of plans will lie commenced at a very early date. To meet the difficulty temporarily, the Highways Board constructed a punt from its funds and is providing a substantial portion of the cost of its operation.

It was decided to extend the sphere of the hoard’s traffic inspector, employed on Rimutaka Hill, to cover a wider area of the Wellington district, as two local counties do not employ such officials. Tin's step is being taken particularly for the purpose of Ijniitafc:on of loads.

Petrol importation,-, in April were reported to be 5,500.000 gallons being a slight increase on the March figures, hut a decrease on. the corresponding period last year of 800.000 gallons.