HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3995, 10 September 1929, Page 2

HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER

THIS YEAR,

Dannevirke, Yesterday. to the Highways Board’s programme for the current year was made by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, to an Evening News representative.

“The 'Main Highways Board’s plan of works for the coming year,” the Minister said, “will be greater than for any previous year in the history of the' Dominion. At the present time the number of men employed by the Highways Board on construction work is 3600. It is proposed to expend on construction work this year £1,050,000, and it is also proposed to expend over a million in maintenance. Together with the assistance of local bodies, no less than two and a-half millions will be expended. If this year’s programme is carried out, it will mean absorbing the £640,000 now held in reserve. •

“As soon as the works are in .full swing in the summer, it is hoped that 5000 mien will be employed on the Highways.” Regarding - the £200,000 in the Public Works Department, . the Minister added that the Main Highways Board |would have the right to the use of this money, but instead of it being free as previously the Board would require to pay interest for it'. Jii; view of the Highways Board having a surplus of £650,000, the Government felt that the Board was in a better position to pay interest than the Government, as the latter had taken over a deficit of £577,000 from the previous Administration.