TE KUITI-MOKAU ROAD.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 527, 18 December 1912, Page 5

TE KUITI-MOKAU ROAD.

AMOUNT AVAILABE FOR WORK

THE FINANCIAL POSITION. A considerable amount of uncertainty appears to exist in the minds of the majority of settlers concerning the amount of money available for expenditure on the Te Kuiti-Mokau road. Mr C. K. Wilson, M.P., when seen by a Chronicle representative last week, stated he was sure that according to the figures supplied to him by the Public Works Department, an amount of £SOOO could be available provided a vigorous policy was pursued. On the current year's estiamtes is a vote of £SOOO for the road, with a liability of £2680, thus leaving a balance of £2320 for which no authorities had been issued up to March 31st last. This balance has in the meantime been reduced to £1671. Authorities to the amount of £2155 have been issued to the County Council, and a balance of £290 is in the hands of the department for the completion of the metal crushing contract, making in all a total of £4116 available for expenditure up to March 31st, 1913.

Mr Wilson pointed out that according to the Appropriation Act the Minister had power to issue authorities up to a quarter of the previous year's vote. As the vote this year was £SOOO, if the Minister could be induced to exercise his power a further sum of £1250 could be obtained for the road, making in all a total of £5366 for the road.

Subsequent enquiry at the office of the Waitomo County Courcil elicited the fact that authorities to the amount of £709 14s 6d had been expended by the County, which, deducted from the amount of <£4llfi, leaves a balance of £3406 5s 6d available for expenditure irrespective of any further grant which the Minister may be induced to make.