MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5017, 23 August 1926, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

MODERN ROAD-MAKING METHODS.

LARGE SUM EXPENDED.

Dealing, with the work of the Main Highways Board in ,the annual Pub;, lie Works Statement, the total, shown as having been expended during the year ended March 31, 1926, including a proportionate cost of the loan raised, is £422,456, making a grand total expenditure to March last of £647,903. Commenting on the progress made, the Minister of Public W<*l« (the Hon. K. S. Williams) states:— ■

“The amending legislation of last year permitted the Main Highways Board to subsidise maintenance of main highways to the extent of half the cost of the local authorities. Under the original Act the contribution of the board was one-third of the cost, and the effect of the improved rate of contribution by the Majn Highways Board was to induce local authorities to provide larger sums a& their quota towards the maintenance of main highways, and thereby ensure a better surface on the highways for the use of the travelling public. A pleasing feature in the actual maintenance operations of main highways is the introduction by local bodies of modern roadmaking-plaiit methodss which are strongly advocated by the board itself. * It is only by the employment of up-to-date methods that the need of modern road-trans? port can be economically satisfied, and the adoption of such methods by all local bodies is strongly advocated. "Enhanced contributions by the board for major deviations, of main highways, construction of bridges, and repair of extraordinary damage brought about by fioodsi or other causes was also provided for, and the benefit to local authorities has been substantial in a number of cases where,, owing to great damage by floods, the resources of loca.l authorities, were seriously affected. “A number of roads have been added to the main highways during„the year, with a corresponding advantage to the local authorities. The board's relations with the local bodies continue to be of a very satisfactory nature. It has. been successful in obtaining more substantial contributions from some local authorities to? wards the maintenance of Govern; ment roads, being portions of main highways, than was, formerly the case, and local bodies are showing that they are earnestly striving to meet the requirements of the board relative not only to ordinary maintenance of main highways, but construction and reconstruction on an improved scale to that formerly obtaining.

“It is, here remarked that all reconstruction schemes are thoroughly investigated by the Highways Board, and the necessity for local bodies to prove the economic soundness of their schemes tends to regulate local-gov-ernment borrowing.”