Work of Highways Board Appreciated

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 48, 19 May 1927, Page 3

Work of Highways Board Appreciated

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE SOUTH WANTS MORE MONEY Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. an impression that the haveVen the U‘ n Highways Heart of the JaKfe '! od ' to the disadvantage yj® f°“ th Island, by the transfer f , mone J from the revenue fund to the construction fund," said Mr. A. E South 1 ’ T°f Hunedin, president of the Is.and Motor Union, at the , erence of county councils and ?he w °h gamsatlons ' with members of the Highways Board. W * . chairman of the board, said it was probable that a temporary transfer from the revenue account to the construction account might be made, because the Minister had informed the board that he was to provide more than the A.-00,000 provided for in the Act. The Minister had suggested a temporary transfer of moneys as a means of meeting the board’s need for cash, but transfer v uld not detrimentally affect the S< \ i Island, as South island revenue would be transferred if at all, only to the South Island construction fund. Permanent “Grabbings” Mr. H. W. Johnston said that any permanent, as distinct from temporary “grabbing” of revenue funds would not be tolerated by motorists, who would do their utmost to turn out a Government which dared to do such a tiling. He moved a resolution favouring an addition to the board of a South Island motorists* representative, and provision for a motorists’ representative on each district highways council. Mr. W. T. Bill (Ashburton) said that the roads in his county were 50 per cent better since the board came : nto existence. The trouble was that too many motorists were anxious to travel at 70 miles an hour. The man on the land was sick of being taxed as he was to-day. Mr. M. H. Wynyard (Auckland), motorists’ representative on the board, agreed that the South Island motorists were entitled to a separate representative. The matter, however, was one for the Government, as the balance of power on the board would be affected. Mr. Bruce, an ex-member of the board, said that it had to be remembered that the ratepayers had to maintain nine-tenths of the roads. The chairman said that Mr. Wynyard had never taken up the North Island versus the South Island attitude. The resolution was not submitted to the vote, nor were subsequent motions. Co-ordinating County Work Mr. E. Bowman (Southland) moved that in view of the largely increasing cost of maintenance, the Main Roads Board be asked to increase the maintenance subsidy in the South Island, and thus make available for expenditure the funds they had accumulated to the credit of the revenue account. The chairman said that with r.he subsidy rate of 30s to £l, the amount in hand was being used up, and might be all expended in two or three years. There was no chance of an increase being made in th£ subsidy. Mr. Ansell put forward the following proposals on behalf of motorists' “That the board be urged to formulate a scheme to co-ordinate the work of counties along highways, and in order to secure this the board considers the taking over of further lengths of highway through poor country as Government roads; that the Highways Board be requested to formulate proposals for safeguarding new and reconstructed main highways, and for the proper maintenance of all highways, so that the benefits from expenditure shall not be lost through inefficient maintenance; that where local authorities refuse to carry out in a reasonable manner the maintenance of main highways, the board he urged to exercise its powers under the Act.” Maintenance Subsidy Increase Mr. F. W. Freeman (Canterbury Automobile Association) submitted proposals for the classification of roads with a view of increased subsidies where merited; also for the board’s support of a plan for a higher type of pavement adjacent to urban centres. His proposals were that the subsidy should be £ 3 for £ 1 for roads carrying the heaviest traffic and requiring substantial construction; £2 10s for £1 for lighter bitumen roads carrying less traffic; £2 for £1 for roads requiring tar-sealing; and £1 10s for £1 for ordinary macadam roads. At the invitation of the board, the counties’ representatives formulated proposals as follow: ‘ That the maintenance subsidy on the South Island roads he increased substantially; that the board should he more liberal in its declaration of highways, and that greater consideration should be given to important feeders of declared main highways; that a petrol tax be recommended to the Government to raise more revenue; that the board exercise its powers to give extra assistance to portions of highways where conditions are unfavourable, and where local financial resources are inadequate.” After these proposals, along with the motorists’ proposals, had been discussed. a resolution was carried expressing appreciation of the work of the board.