OUR ROADS AND WHAT IT COSTS TO MAINTAIN THEM.

Manawatu Herald, 22 September 1892, Page 3

OUR ROADS AND WHAT IT COSTS TO MAINTAIN THEM.

TO TBS EDITOR OF TUB MANAWATU HERALD. Sißi^- There have been a great many complaints made from time to time about the bad state of the roads through the winter months, and the city have come in for- a great many hard knocks from the 4 ratepayers, and some of the candidates at the late election promised to see tftafc the roads were put into a good state of repair. Now, sir, I will give my fellow ratepayers a few facts and figures to show that the Borough Council can no more make roads without money than the Israelites of old could make bricks without straw.

The Foxton Borough Council has within its boundaries 29 miles of roads to maintain ; 849 chains of drains to clean out (this must be done to^keep our roads and adjoining lands dry) ; then we have 216 chains ftf footpaths to keep in repair, and all the money available to carry on this "work is £504 v is 6d per annum.

Now, sir, let us see what it would cost,:tp,,jp.ut the 29 miles of roads, drains^ /footpaths, bridges and culverts in a fair state of repair. Out of thei 29 miles of roads we have 8J miles of ui«tal roads to maintain. To put Gin of metal on and four yards wide it would require 9570 yards at 4s 6d per yard, £2153. Now we come to the unmetalled roads, -we have 20? miles to maintain.

'\ hesa roads would cost on an average Bay 5s per chain to crown them.f or £415. We have 949 chains o drains i'd clean out, most of these (every year. This would cost at say Is 3d per chain, £53 103. Repairs to bridgee and culverts, £20. Footpaths and watertables, £35. Total, £2686 10s.

Now, sir, as I stated before, all the money available to carry out this work is £504 2s Gd. To" give the ratepayers some idea what metal roads cost to keep them in a fair state of repair AYe will take the VVirlklno road from Burr's corner to the. Ferry, 216 chains. To put Bay 6in of metal four yards wide on this road it would take 2122 yards at 4a 6d per yavd, or £712 9«. This shows that this road alone would absorb nearly two years rates that is available for roads.

Sir, the question is often asked by ratepayers, how and where the money set apart tor roads is spent. I may state for the information of the ratepayers the £504 2s 6d set apart for the current year 1892-93 is as follows : —