EXPENDITURE ON BRIDGES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20010, 19 August 1930, Page 10

EXPENDITURE ON BRIDGES.

—* HIGHWAYS BOARD POLICY. MOTORISTS SEEK INFORMATION. Tho Canterbury Automobile Association in a remit ~to the South Island Motor Union is seeking information on policy matters of the Main Highways Board. A return of expenditure on bridges is to be asked for as well as for a definition of a backblock road. This decision was arrived at by the Council of tho Association last evening. Tho chairman, Mr W. R. Carey, said he understood that lack of finance had been given as the reason for tho Highways Board carrying out less paving work in Canterbury this year. This question led to the matter of bridges, in regard to which the policy of the Highways Board was of the greatest interest to the Association. He contended that the Board's views on this matter should be submitted to the Association. "I should like to see a return of the expenditure on bridges during the last five years." Mr H. C. Harley: Are you going to get anywhere by thist You must remember that the country is hard up at the present time, and it is doubtful if anything can be done just now. Tho chairman: It will do no harm to ask for it, You will bo satisfied, I think. It was decided to suggest that the South Island Motor Union ask for the information as suggested by Mr Carey. Mr F. W. Johnston referred to the suggestion that the Rakaia bridge should be taken over by the Highways Board from tho Railway Department. "They propose building a new bridge," said Mr F. D. Sargent. "And selling us the old one," interjected Mr Johnston. "I say 'us' advisedly, for it is of the greatest concern to all motorists. If the bridge will not be good enough for the Department in a few years' time, allowance should be made for this fact when the question is negotiated. The exigencies of the vendor must be taken into consideration." , It was decided to ask for the .Highways Board's views on the proposal. "Figures recently published have caused me to enquire as to the definition of a backblock road," stated Mr J. L. Danks. "According to the statement, many times more money was spent last year in the North Island than in the South." The matter was of importance, he said, to counties. Mr B. Falclc: We have been trying to get a definition. It was decided to ask that the information be obtained from the Highways Board.