MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Shannon News, 15 July 1927, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

MATTERS OF POLICY. FINANCIAL BURDEN AND APPORTIONMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES. Several important aspects o'T'Maixi Highways policy were before the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, the matters principally concerned being the liability for overhead expenses, and the relation of boroughs to main road maintenance.

Drawing on Reserve Fund. Mr. R. H. P. Ronayne, the Board’s representative, wrote as follows: “Maintenance of main highways: The Main Highways Board advises that, owing to the necessity of having to transfer from the reserve to the construction fund for this year in order to meet commitments, and in view of the large inroads that will be made on the available cash in the re venue fund, it will be necessary to ensure that all reasonable cafe be taken to see that funds are judiciously expended on the maintenance of main highways. Where it is found necessary to apply for sums in excess of that allotted for the year, a full explanation as to the causes tending to the increased expenditure must be forwarded to this office so, that same may be embodied in the /application, to ' t*he Main. Highways Board for authority. County Councils are therefore asked to incur no expenditure other than what is absolutely essential.” The chairman stated that, if anything, this Council had this year •ut down its maintenance on main highways, owing to a considerable amount of it having: been paid. The letter was referred to the Cmnty engineer for his information. • Roads Through Boroughs.

With reference to the maintenance of main highways in boroughs, the District Engineer (Mr. R. H. P. Ronayne) explained, in a letter to the Council, that section 23 of thfe Main Highways Act provides that, in respect of the maintenance and repair of any street, not being a main highway or portion of a main highway,,but being a continuation of a main highway, the Board may, on the application of the borough council pay to that council an amount computed; at a rate-per mile of the length of such street, .not exceeding the rate per mile paid by the Board in respect of the maintenance and repair of the .adjoining main highway. , \ The writer added that amounts allotted to boroughs in accordance*with rhe above-mentioned section of the Act are computed on ordinary maintenance only, and in order to estimate as accurately as possible what the various boroughs are entitled to, County Councils, are requested when submitting claims for payment in future on section immediately adjoining boroughs to show- separately, (a) ordinary maintenance, (b) culverting (up to 6ft), (c) bridge repairs, when these items are incorporated in the one claim. The chairman stated that on the previous day there had been a deputation from borough councils to the Minister of Public Works, who informed them that some amending legislation may be brought down this session. •••■ Supervision Expenses.

In reply to an inquiry by the Council, Mr. F. W. Furket (chairman of the Highways Board) wrote stating that the question of payment of a subsidy on supervision expenses incurred by local bodies in carrying out work on main highways was considered by the Board at a meeting held on June 22nd, but final decision was not reached, j sub-committee has been set up to consider the matter, and it is hoped that finality will be reached at ‘the next meeting of the Board, fixed for July 2.lst.

The chairman explained that this matter had been referred to him to take up with the Highways Board. It arose through the refusal of the Board to pay for the engineering survey of the main road, and the Council requested a refund of the money already paid,. He took it up with the Board, and the County Clerk drew up a return showing the whole of the money spent, not only on the engineering survey, but on general office work in connection with the main highway scheme. This return was sent direct to the chairman of the Board. The speaker understood that the question had been under the consideration of the Board for the past two years. This Council’s action n.ow had brought the subject to a head, and a decision should be reached in the near future.

Motions were passed receiving tha Board’s letters.