RESUMPTION OF ROAD WORK.

Shannon News, 16 November 1928, Page 2

RESUMPTION OF ROAD WORK.

PRELIMINARIES DECIDED ON. SURVEY OF FOXTON VIA WIROKINO ROUTE TO BE COMMENCED. PAVING OF LEVIN-PALMERSTON HIGHWAY. As a result of the offer by the Ma|in pighwlays Boards accepted by the Horowhenua County Coun- \ cil, of a subsidy of £3 for £1 on road works estimated to cost £83,907, a special report was received by the Council, and adopted on Saturday, from the County Engineer (Mr J. T. M. Brewster) recommending the works to be gone on with, in their order of urgency, and dealing with necessary details. Certain financial adjusments which have to be made were referred to the Finance Committee, and preliminary arrangements for the resumption of the Highways scheme, which had been suspended since the end of June, are now in progress.

NORTHERN AND FOXTON.ROADS RECOMMENDED. The report by the 'Qounty Engineer was as follovs: —

Formation. —The phns for the portion of No. 60 highway "between north boundary of Wirokino Riding and Shannon are completed, and this work could be gone on with when the plans, etc., are approved. A survey of Le--vin-Wirokino portion of No. 1 Main Highway will have to be made, plans prepared and submitted to the Main' Highways Board for approval. I would suggest that about three miles of the survey of this road be completed, so that formation work could be start-el as soon as possible. Paving.—As the bulk of the slowmoving machinery is at the depot, at Levin, I would 'recommend that the first work to be undertaken should be Queen Street, to connect with the bitumen in Arapaepae road. When Queen Street paving is completed, I would recommend that the plant be moved to Tokomaru so that the portion of high'vvay between Tokomaru. River and North Boundary could be undertaken, and following this, the portion between Shannon and Makerua. The total distance of the above three sections is approximately 5J miles, and as the paving season is at hand, it is doubtful if much more than this could be undertaken during the next paving season. However, if weather conditions are suitable, the railway crossings at Ohau and Manakau could be sealed. Unfortunately, whatever programme is adopted, it is not possible to carry out the work without a considerable amount of trouble in moving machinery about. Metal Supplies. —There is an amount of metal on Queen Street, but not sufficient to complete the work. It is my intention to purchase the extra metal required for this section. The metal for the Tokomaru River to North Boundary section, I propose to get from the Tokomaru river. Metal supplies for Shannon-Makerua section at present are indefinite, but I hope to be able to get suitable metal within a reasonable distance of the work. I will know within two weeks if metal supplies-are available. I have spent a considerable amount of time prospecting for metal supplies adjacent to Levin, for works on the Levin-Wirokino road, and have decided that it will be necessary to go into the Ohau river bed. lam of opinion that it is possible to get the necessary supplies by going into the river bed at three points, but perhaps not more than two. The two positions referred to are at the end of Kimberley road, and where the Muhimoa East road joins with the river. There is also a certain amount of moulders in the paddocks along Tararua road, and it might be possible to convey these to a crusher at the end of Kimberley road.

Crushers.—lt is my intention not to use the Hadfield crusher, but to use small crushers for crushing metal. This will mean bringing the old Austin crusher into commission. As the metal supplies from near Levin will be drawn from the Ohau river bed, it would, in my opinion, be economical to use portable crushers and light metal bins—the latter of such a size that they could be transported on motor trucks. In connection with this matter I would recommend that the Acme crusher be converted into a. granulator at a cost of £95. This crusher would then be able to crush chips, besides being of such construction that it could be used for maintenance metal crushing. I niust Inform you that there is not a power unit to drive the Austin crusher, and in connection with this matter I would recommend that the Council consider the purchase of a tractor to drive same.

Bitumen.—lt will be necessary to purchase a quantity of bitumen for the Tokomaru river to north boundary section, and also some specially prepared mateiial, such as Resmex, for sealing -the railway crossings. As it will not be possible to do the gaps on. No. 1 highway below Manakau this next season, I would suggest that bitumen for Queen Street be drawn from those places where it at present stands.

CURTAILMENT OF PRESENT YEAR'S PROGRAMME.

The chairman (Mr G. A. Monk) said that the amount placed on the estimates for the current year on the basis of a £2 subsidy must not be exceeded now that there was a £3 subsidy. This meant that there must be a curtailment of their work insofar as it affected the different sections which they proposed to do. He had discussed the matter with the District Engineer (Mr Ronayne), who suggested that the section, Wirokino north boundary to Shannon, be left over till the next financial year. With regard to machinery, the chairman said he thought that the Council had learnt that light, portable crushers would be advantageous. No recommendation had been made regarding the big crusher, and he did not know that

it would be necessary to discuss it at this juncture.

RIVAL ROUTES

Cr. Barber said he failed to see that* the Highways authorities were right in advocating the work oh No. 1 highway. They were trying to divert the traffic through Foxton. The chairman stated that this suggestion did not come from the Board, it was not discussed from the traffic point of view, but from that of finance. ,

Cr. Barber: They have got a safe road, but they want to take the traffic through Foxton, and'when you get five miles out of Foxton they are diverting it into Palmerston North again,, which means taking the main north traffic five miles further than there is occasion for. If the money were spent for making the road safer in the Wiro-kino-Shannon section, it- would be a very important step.

The Chairman: The work you' mentioned should go on in the new financial year. Or. Barber: It u a piece of road that is absolutely a meanee. to the travelling public, and it should receive major consideration.

The Chairman: 1 don't think we are likely to spend the amount allocated to us, even if we go on with that. We have only about four months of the financial year left. Cr. Barber: I think that that should be stressed to. the Board. The Chairman: It is for us to decide what work we are going on with, in older of urgency. FLOODING AT MAKERUA.

Cr. Barber: On the Shannon-Makerua section the strengthening is practically finished. I think there could be an improvement made there. During the last week, two short lengths of that road were under water. Po&sioly if the road were raised for 100 yards on each side of the Kara stream,'it would be very beneficial to the travelling public.

The Chairman: There are two sections that we must complete: MakeruaShannon and Tokomaru-North Boundary. I havo no argument against the work going on, but the financial side of it must be kept up so that we can pick up the subsidy. We have only three or four months to spend the money, and we cannot do it. ' * AN ARTERIAL ROAD.

Cr. Gamblett said he could not quite agree with Cr. Barber as to why the traffic was diverted to the Foxton Road. It was not because it had to go to Palmerston, but because that was the main road to Wanganui, New Plymouth and Auckland. It was right and sound for three miles of the Wirokino Road to be surveyed. At the same time the Council did "not want to lose sight of the needs mentioned by Cr. Barber. Cr. Ryder said he hoped that a start would be made on the far end of the Wirokino road, which was the expensive part to take metal to. The Chairman: I told the Board we could not, because it gets under water. Whilst this is the most expensive, it will be most economical for us to start from this end.

Or. Gimblett: That will not apply with a metal road, but it will with bitumen.

'The Chairman: We have to do the simplest part, so that they can got something ready for next season.

FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENTS

Referring to finance, the chairman said it did not appear, to Mm, except for the two sections concerned, that the Council was likely to over-expend in 'this financial year, and according to Mr Brewster's programme there was no danger of exceeding the subsidy; but the Council would have to arrange for a transfer of subsidy from the Wirokino North Boundary section to those at the northern end. The Council might adopt the suggestions made "by Mr' Brewster, but the chairman would like to seo the matter come before the Finance Committee at a special committee. There was a certain amount provided which could not be spent in the southern end at present. Referring to bitumen, the chairman said that the Council had not ordered any; they might be able to buy bitumen that was landing, but they could not always do that. The price was much the same as when the "highway works in the County were commenced, three years ago. Cr. Barber remarked that the- authorities were very keen to have No. 1 Highway done, but they did not seem to realise that in a short distance the traffic was diverted on to the Hima-tangi-Ashhurst Highway. Or. Gimblctt: Himatangif Auckland, do you mean, I was referring to the Auckland route.

Cr. Catley: This is the road, and it ought to have been done before now. The chairman said that the County Engineer wanted some recommendation to start, and he thought that the adoption of the report would give him that. Cr. Barber: Will my suggestion as to Kara be considered! The Chairman: .Mr Brewster had better report on that. We have not made provision for it. It was decided that the Engineer investigate this matter. REPORT ADOPTED. On the motion of Cr. Barber, seconded by Cr. Ryder, it was resolved that the Engineer's report be adopted; that the matter of transfers of subsidy from construction to penetration he referred to the Finance Committee for a recommendation; that the question of dealing with No. 4 (the Hadliek 1 ) crusher be referred to the Works Committee ; that the purchase of bitumen supplies be referred to the Engineer, with power to act; and that the Engineer make arrangements for the purchase of a Case tractor. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INTEREST. The Levin Chamber of Commerce forwarded a copy of its resolution supporting the Council in its demand for a £3 for £1 subsidy, which has since been granted. The chairman asked the Council to thank the Chamber for its support, and on the motion of Cr. Gimblett a resolution was passed accordingly. INCREASED SUBSIDIES FOR MAINTENANCE AND BRIDGES. An increase in the subsidies payable

on maintenance and bridges was not

fied by the District Engineer, who wrote that, in accordance with,the Highways Amendment Act, as from April Ist, IS>2B, all expenditure on maintenance, and all expenditure on new bridges is to be subsidised on the basis of £2 for £l. Where a subsidy on expenditure since April Ist had already been paid, the necessary adjustment would be made. The increased subsidy would apply to secondary highways as well as to primary highways, also to main highways in boroughs. The basic rate of subsidy for maintenance work was . fixed at £2 for £1 and for construction £1 for %l on work other than bridges. Special cases would be dealt with by the Board on their merits, and it would be necessary as heretofore for local authorities to show good reason for receiving better subsidies than those set down as the basic rates. The increased rate of suosidy was not intended to reduce any subsidies being paid at a higher rate than £2 for £l, nor was it proposed to make any increase in subsidies which are at present being paid on a £2 for £1 or higher basis, unless there weie very special circumstances and the case had been represented to the Board and approved. On the motion of the chairman, the communication was received. MANAWATU RIVER BRIDGE.

The District Engineer forwarded an extract from the New Zealand Gazette declaring the deviation at the Manawatu River bridge to be a main highway and revoking portion of the existing main highway. The revoked portion was now regarded as a detour road, and as such would bear a maintenance subsidy only until such time as the new deviation is opened for traffic. The portion of the new deviation within the borough of Shannon had. already been gazetted as a highway. Cr. Gimblett said, it'was possible, after the completion of the work, for the old road and the bridge near the punt to be left in a bad state of repair. There were ratepayers who had been hoping that these old works would be looked after, because when the road reverted to the status of a county road they would be responsible for a big share of maintenance if it was left full of potholes. ?

The Chairman: Until the new road is open it' will bear a subsidy. Cr. Gimblett: And the small bridge? It rattles like the one at Manakau. Cr. Barber: I think the under-strue-ture is quite sound. The Chairman: You won't have any heavy traffic there once this is done. Cr." Kilsby: What amount of new work is to be done, before the new road is opened? The Chairman: It is to be opened in a month, I believe. Cr. Barber: The Prime Minister came through it on Wednesday. The Chairman: We have been urging that they make it available to those flood-stricken settlers. €r. Gimblett: The public are looking for a statement from you. They are wanting to got over it. .The. Chairman: It is not in our hands; we have only a share of it. The Public Works Department is doing the road on this side of the bridge; we have to pay for a portion of it. I have urged that the district office make the road available to those settlors during flood-time at all events. Cr. Barber stated that the road was half metalled, and he thought that traffic could go, over it if the punt could not be used, provided that the weather improved. The Chairman: I have spked for that to be done. The letter was received and agreed to. BRIDGES AND RIDING COSTS.. Cr. Jensen moved and Cr. Catley seconded, that the Engineer be instructed to have a report made showing the number of bridges with a spaju. of over 20ft., and the number with a span of less than 20ft. The motion was carried.

At the previous monthly meeting of ■the" Council, Cr. Jensen unsuccessfully moved a motion with the object that the cost of constructing or maintaining bridges of over 20ft span should b« a charge against the general account, and that the cost should be apportioned to the ridings in accordance with their respective capital values. _