H—4o

Sources of Moneys Expended on Roads, Streets, etc. —Of the moneys spent on roads, streets, and bridges during the year ended 31st March, 1948, approximately 34 per cent, was obtained from motor-taxation, 31 per cent, from local rates, 20 per cent, from loans, and 15 per cent, from general taxation. Tables 6 and 7 attached contain details of the sources from which moneys expended on roads were obtained. The increased expenditure during 1947-48 has, in the main, been financed by additional receipts from loans and motor-taxation. Annual Charges Per Mile op Roads, Streets, etc. —Table 8 appended sets out details of expenditure per mile on maintenance, interest, and loan charges for the various types of roads. Interest and loan charges have remained relatively constant over the last five years and now amount to £44 per mile for all roads. Since 1943, when a low level of £53 per mile was reached, expenditure on road-maintenance has continued to increase. In 1948, maintenance per mile amounted to £99. In considering the work obtained for this additional expenditure, however, an allowance must be made for the increased cost of labour and materials. Figures for 1948-49 are not yet available. ROAD SAFETY A. ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS General.—During the calendar year 1949 there were 4,092 motor-vehicle accidents on the public roads of the Dominion, as a result of which 218 persons were killed and 5,317 persons injured. The number of accidents shows an increase of 499, or 13*9 per cent., over 1948, when 196 persons were killed and 4,706 were injured. It must nevertheless be borne in mind that the number of vehicles on the road is steadily increasing and the exposure risk —in other words, the likelihood of occurrence of an accident—is far greater.

The following table gives a clearer picture of the accident record of the Dominion during the last three years :

Fatal Accidents (Table 9). —(a) General: The fatal accidents in 1949 resulted in a death roll of 218, an increase of 12 over 1948. The death-rate per 10,000 vehicles, 6-06, is definitely lower in New Zealand than in other countries. The following figures, which are subject to some qualification regarding differences in methods of their computation, show the position of New Zealand in a favourable light:— Deaths Per 10,000 Vehicles : Road Accidents New Zealand .. ..6-06 (figures to December, 1949). United States of America .. 7-5 ( „ ). Queensland .. .. .. 9-0 (figures to June, 1949). Canada .. .. .. ..10-2 (figures to December, 1948). South Australia .. .. ..10-6 (figures to June, 1948). Great Britain .. .. .. 11-8 (figures to December, 1949). Victoria .. .. .. ..12*1 (figures to June, 1949). New South Wales .. .. ..13-3 ( „ ). Western Australia .. .. ..16-0 (figures to June, 1948). South Africa .. .. ..16-2 (figures to December, 1948).

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Year. Killed. Per 10,000 Vehicles. Injured. Per 10,000 Vehicles. Average Number of Vehicles on the Road. 1947 206 6-64* 4,762 153-4 310,397 1948 196 5-80* 4,706 139-2 338,012 1949 218 6-06 5,317 147-9 359,576 * The figures appear; ing in earlier reports have been revised in accordance with latest information available.