MAIN HIGHWAYS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1942, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE HEAVY COST IN WAIRARAPA. BOARD MEMBER'S ESTIMATE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. Earthquake damage in the Wairarapa alone will cost the Main Highways Board £20,000 to £25,000, said Mr M. It. Wynyard, a member of tile board, at the annual conference of the North Island Motor Union yesterday. During the war the board would endeavour to keep the reads maintained at a reasonable standard because it was necessary to protect the financial investment in them by seeing that the foundations were kept intact. Tire total expenditure in 1940-41 was £3,836,000, in 1941-42 £2.261,000, and in 1942-43 it was estimated to be £1.960.000. In 1940-41 the expenditure on works was £2,807,000, in 1941-42 £ 1,084,654, and in 1942-43 it was estimated to be £1.030,000. Standing charges amounted to £931.000 and maintenance was estimated at £962,000. This would probably be covered by the revenue account of the board. Exactly what the revenue this year would be it was difficult to say, but as events were shaping it appeared the revenue would be little less than last year. Vehicle registrations were little fewer, and the loss in petrol tax from private vehicles was compensated to some extent by petrol tax from the vehicles of the forces. The expenditure on renewal construction and improvements was estimated at £280.000.