MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Shannon News, 18 May 1928, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE WORK.

LEVIN-HOKIO ROAD TO RECEIVE 30/- MAINTENANCE SUBSIDY.

A number of interesting points in connection with the Main Highways scheme were under the notice of the Horowhenua County Council, at its monthly meeting on Saturday. A letter was received from Mr R. 11. P. Ronayne, District Engineer, enclosing an extract from the Gazette declaring additional main highways. The Board had decided that maintenance subsidy on these would be at the same rate as that being paid on other'main highways —namely, 30s for £1 —and this subsidy was payable as from April 2nd. The question of subsidising construction would be considered at a meeting to be held this month. The following are the official names and numbers of the additional highways in this county:—

No. 371 —Upper Hutt to Waikanae, No. 372 —Waikanae to Waimea. No. 373—Te Horo to Waihoanga. No. 374—Levin to Hokio: A motion was carried formally re ceiving the communication.

In a further letter, the District Engineer stated it was hoped that sufficent funds would be earmarked for more intensive maintenance of wooden and steel bridges. There were numerous bridges, and especially the steelwork of same, that required painting. The matter was referred to the County Engineer, to take into consideration in the drafting of the estimates.

The Public Works Department forwarded a copy of a proclamation taking land at the top of Queen Street in connection with the Levin-Shannon highway. The Chairman stated' that the work could proceed as soon as was necessary. When the appointment of the Couneil's delegate to the Counties Conference was before the meeting, Cr. Jensen suggested that a remit be prepared urging that highways be standardised.

The Chairman said that the class of traffic must have a great deal to do with the standard of road laid in the various localities, so he would hardly likp to see a remit go forward suggesting a certain standard. He would rather see a remit definitely .requiring the Board to contribute in subsidy according to the standard of the road—so much for a sealed road, for penetration, or for concrete.. , .■ " With regard .to the repairing of .the Main Highway through Otaki Borough the Works Committee recommended that the Public Works Department be advised of the completion of the work requested and asked to state what they require done in the way of future maintenance.

The recommendation was adopted.

Cr. Kilsby said he. thought that a resolution had been passed that the Engineer was to draw up plans and specifications for new bridges on- the main road. He would like to see the proposal proceeded with as soon as

possible. Some of the bridges were very bumpy. Cr. McLeavey: The roadman practically lives at the Kuku bridge, putting in planks. i

The Chairman stated that he had had a discussion of the subject with the Engineer, who suggested that, as soon as the Council got the maintenance estimates out of the way, he should go into it. The Council was getting pretty short of workmen, and there were some that it did not want to lose. As soon as possible, estimates would.be prepared for three bridges, and would be submitted to the Highways Board. The matter would not be lost sight of, but it would not be disposed of in the ensuuig week. Cr Catley suggested that the Council push on with the highways formation.

The Chairm.ui: The survey is done between her." (Hid Shannon, and there is nothing to stop us from putting some of these men on to that work. Certain small deviations will 'have to be made between here and Shannon, only after consultation with the Highways Board officers;'but'in the meantime Councillors for the riding may be able to arrange where certain work shall be commenced and can probably make a start. It could go in the estimates for this year.

"I was in hopes," the Chairman added, "that we could come to some arrangement with the Board as to what their 'subsidy was going to be. When we started this work we did so on a £ for £ basis; but for a certain standard of road they are giving up to £3 for £l, and, provided that we maintain that standard and that the amount of traffic warrants it, we are justified in asking for a greater subsidy on our future work.

In answer to a question by Cr Kilsby, the Chairman said that the subsidy of £3- might be for a concrete road; but that was what had been offered. Even higher rates had been offered,, but they were on very poor country. ', The Chairman also stated 'that intimation had been received, though not confirmed by letter, that the Board would ask them to crush metal for penetration course through Otaki borough. They should be able to start on No. 4 crusher at an early date. After that it would be necessary to consider where the crusher should be shifted

to. ' : „ . •Cr Catley: What about the deficiency in the Otaki length? 'The Chairman: We propose to crush for that before the crusher is shifted. Cr Jensen: I "hope you will see that the chips are kept together alongside the road. There is enormous waste of these chips when lying for any length of time. Some of them have been put out through the Boundary road and I doubt whether we shall be able to use" more than half of them. Cr Barber: One of the rollers has gone north. Is that with the intention of consolidating the northern end?

The Chairman: Yes; to put down a foundation course for bitumen. We have to. make arrangements for getting the course crushed for that length between now and the spring. Referring to subsidiary highways, the Chairman said that the idea of having certain roads declared as such was to improve them and not allow the surface to deter.:- 'e, as far as maintenance was concerned. While this might relieve the Council of heavier expense in the future, the idea of the Board was that Council should spend the extra money rather than try to save too much. If 80 chains were' estimated for the Hokio Road last year and if the Council got 30s for £1 for maintenance, it would receive, a subsidv of £l2O, bringing the amount available up to £2OO. If Councillors did not think that £2OO was necessary, they would cut down their estimates accordingly. They should assure themselves that they were .going to give a better maintenance, and nota lesser one. when dealing with the estimates,