COUNTY & HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Shannon News, 15 October 1929, Page 3

COUNTY & HIGHWAYS BOARD.

CLAIMS OF NO. 1 HIGHWAY VIA FOXTON. NATURE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE TO BE ASCERTAINED. “Ia there anything fresh regarding the Foxton. Road?” asked Cr. Catley, at the Horowhenua County Council meeting on Saturday. “Not as far as I know,” replied the chairman (Mr Monk). “I think we should make some inquiries immediately and find out where we stand.” Cr. Catley: I think so too, because it.will affect us pretty seriously if the work done is not going to be completed. If the formation is done, we shall have something ready. As we have an expert gang of sealers, we have to find some work for them until sealing is ready to go on. It would be a pity to have to dispense with their services. They are well acquainted with the* class of work now and would do real good work if left to themselves. Should not some strong representation be made to the Highways Board to see if anything further cau be done? I would like to know whether they can or cannot. The Chairman: The last time I waited on them, we were told to carry on. I understand the Manawatu work is stopped. It is not very -satisfactory, - just to be Itold to carry on. Cr. 'Catley: You might stop at any time.

The Chairman: We have to buy more bitumen. We don’t know what to do.

Cr. Catley: Our foundation work runs into thousands of pounds, and if that it not sealed i.t will go as the other has gone. The Chairman: Go in dust, probably. Cr. Catley: It is a serious thing, and should be ppt to the Board from that point of view. Would it be possible for you and the Clerk to write a letter pointing out the position? The Chairman: We had better wait on them. We have to take into consideration that the Public Works Estimates have not gone through yet. Cr. Catley: We might have been moving in the meanwhile. No. 60 Highway has been taken over partly by them, and they are putting men on. Where is the money coming from Are they going to use Highways Board funds?

The Chairman: You bet they are. Cr. Catley: There is something wrong here. If it is necesary for men to be employed, would it not be as well for us to spend the money? It seems that polities is the thing. If they gave us the money, they would get no votes — no credit for it. The Chairman: There is this about it—that if they spend it, it is a free grant; we don’t have to subsidise it. I have been Waiting for the estimates. They cannot do anything till they get their estimates through; then they can say. Cr. Catley: While this work is standing still, it is affecting us adversely. If our Engineer hai anything like a decent season, he would be able to do more if the preparatory work, wlas ready; but I don’t* know that it will be ready. The Chairman: A lot of that work could be started at the beginning of April. Cr. Catley: How many years longer is this work going to hang on? The ’Chairman: I know that, but I did not put the Government in. Cr. Catley: It was supposed to be a three-year job. The Chairman: We recognised long ago that it could not be done in three years. In his monthly report the County Engineer (Mr Brewster) stated that the foundation metal in connection with the three miles of Main Highway on the section from Levin to the Wirokino Bridge had been completed. This section of highway is now ready to take the pavement course. To the date of the report 2622 cubic yards of pavement metal and 132 S cubic yards of chips had, keen delivered on to this road.

Cr. Catley again pressed his request at the close of the meeting, and the chairman stated that he would interview the District Engineer to-d'ay. -