HELP FOR HIGHWAYS.

Shannon News, 12 November 1929, Page 3

HELP FOR HIGHWAYS.

♦ FOXTON ROAD GRANT INCREASED. THREE-MILE SECTION IS ALL THE WORK IN SIGHT. RELIEF SCHEME ON SHANNON ROAD. What appears to be the last grant for the time being on the, Levin-Foxton Highway was advised to the Horowhenua County cil on Saturday by the District Engineer. It represents an increase of the subsidy from £5500 to £B2OO for the purpose of finishing the three-mile section from the Levin Borough boundary. The Council was also advised of the placing by the Government of 30 of the 'unemployed on widening work just to the south of Shannon.

The following communication, dated November 6th, was received from the District Engineer (.Mr R. H. P. Ronaync):—'' No. 1, Highway, AucklaiulWelJington via Tarahaki, Levin to Wiiokino length: In view of the special circumstances —namely, the fact that your Council has prepared a length of three miles ready for paving, and if this were not paved additional cost would be involved in maintenance in keeping the road in order for surfacing at a later date —the Board is agreeable to increase the amount to be made available for this section during the current financial vear from £5500, £3 for £l, to £B2OO, £3 for £l. Your Council is not, however, to put any further preparation work in hand without the prior approval of the Board.''

On October '26th, when the grant was £5500, the District Engineer wrote asking to be supplied with information as to the cost of widening an'l consolidating the threenuJe length, the cost to date and the quantity of crushed metal ready for pavemeut work, and the estimated cost to place the crushed metal at that time available and penetiate same. The returns lcquested were supplied by the County Engineer, and showed that the total expenditure to October 2Gth was £6634 7s 6d, comprising £3430 10s 5d for the foundation course and £3194 17s Id for' the paving course; while the estimate to penetrate metal'with'bitumen was £3676. "Yes, -gentlemen, we know where we arj now," was the chairman's comment on the letter received on Saturday. Cr. Gimblett: The first time for a good many months.

The chairman moved that the letter be received, and this Avas carried. Particulars relating to the placing of 30 unemployed men, by the Publi.i Works Department on widening Avork en the Main Higlnvay from the Shannon Borough boundary southwards, Avere contained in a - letter .-received from the District Engineer. He stated that the Avork Avas being undertaken on a free oasis, and it Avas hoped that the Council would render any assistance should the Department ask for it. He asked" that the County Engineer submit to the Department's office four complete sets of plans, duly amended, from the 3 mile 70 chain to the 9-mile peg. The conditions of the Department's carrying out the work Avere: (1) That the County arrange and pay for all necessary land surveys, permis sion to enter, acquiring of property, fencing, legalisation, etc.; (2) that ay eacli section of the reading, as notified by the Department, was completed, including metalling, such section be immediately -taken over by the County, for maintenance purposes. The Chairman said "he thought that the position was satisfactory as applying to the Council's taking over the roads after they were metalled. The Board still provided £2 for £1 for maintenance.

Cr. Jensen: Does that moan that they take over that part of the road under their control?

The Chairman: I presume so, but ws are still maintaining the road. .The? are going to complete the metalling or' this.* They have to give it enough foundation.

In answer to a question, by Cr. Catley, the chairman stated that an agreement had been come to, on behalf of the Council, with the owner of certain land, for the taking of a portion necessary for the road work. The Council would get a subsidy on that. Cr. Giinblett: Is it surveyed from the boundary of the Wirokino riding this way? The Chairman: Yes. The plans have not gone in, but they will get them; they are satisfied, and they propose to do the whole of that work. Cr. Barber stated that he had had to conic through smoke and flames that morning, owing to the firing of the scrub.

The Chairman: You complain to them.

"It seems like the beginning of the end —that is, how I look at it," said Cr. Giinblett, referring to the Gov-

ernment's undeitaking of the road con stniel'ion in question. The letter was officially received.