MANAWATU GORGE ROAD.

Shannon News, 13 November 1925, Page 3

MANAWATU GORGE ROAD.

TO BE DECLARED MAIN HIGHWAY. Recently a resolution concerning the Gorge road, passed by the Kai. ranga County Council,, was forwarded bv that body to Mr. J. A. Nash, M.Ptor despatch to the Minister of Pub. Ho Works. The resolution urged that on completion of the improvement work on the Gorge road at prosenc b<nn"- carried out by the Manawatu Gorge Road Board of Control, the route be taken over by the Main Highways Board and declared a Govi rnmenf highway. Mr. Nash has jiow received the fol. lowing from the Minister: "I have the honour to inform you that, the request, contained in the resolution has now received consideration by the Main Highways Board, and advice has been received indicating that, on completion of the construction, the ( heard is prepared to declare this road I a main highway. So far as the coun. cil's request that it also be declared a Government highway i<? concerned. 1 have to state that the Highways Board is unable to see its way ro recommend the road for declaration as a Government road, but it inclines to the opinion that, if and Avhen it is declared a main highway, the proportion of cost of maintenance required to be found by the controlling author, ity should be apportioned to the various local bodies at present cntribut. ing towards the cost of construction. This can be arranged under section 18 of the Main Highways Act, 1922. or the Main Highways Amendment Act, 1925. "Apparently the request for the declaration of the road as a Government highway i s based on the fact tnat heavy expenditure is anticipated in connection with slips, etc, but I would point out that the Main High, ways Amendment Act of last session gives power to the Alain Highways Board in ease s of extraordinary dam. age to a main highway to contribute more than the usual maintenance subsidy of £1 for >!2 towards the cost of repairs, and. in the event or ex. penditure in this direction proving to be extraordinary, the Main Highways Board would no doubt, be prepared to proceed under this authority."