NOTE OF WARNING

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20198, 28 March 1931, Page 14

NOTE OF WARNING

UNAUTHORISED WORKS. MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD TAKES ACTION. Through the existing financial stringency the Main Highways Board has been compelled to issue a •warning to; local authorities to confine works carrying the Board's subsidy to the schemes -which it has approved. At its meeting last evening the Heathcote County Council received a eopy of the circular from the'chairman, of the Board (Mr F. W. Furkert) dealing'with this matter, which had been- forwarded to the No. 14 Main Highways It stated:— "Numerous cases have from time to. tijne come before the Board where local authorities in cajrying out wOfks have" extended such-woTks beyond, the 1 scope of the approved proposals, while ..in other cases the. estimated 'cost of the woTks has been- exceeded, and no notice of such has been given to the Board until after completion of the work,, when application is made for a subsidy on^the increased- expenditure. T * "In addition to the cases referred -to above, local authorities in some/ cases have commenced works for whifth no„.proposals have been submitted. The Ippard has in special circumstances endeavoured, to" meet' the;'local/authorities as fftr us possible in the matter of subsidies, 3>ut" in-view of fhe altered' financial circumstances which are now prevailing, the Board desires to issue a note of warning to local authorities that the cferry-ing-out of unauthorised works must cease. In the case of any work the cost of which is exceeding the estimate, the Board must .be notified immediately, so that the circuiftstances ean be considered. Notification after the job is finished will disqualify the local authority from payment of subsidy. / "The Board would be glad if you would furnish a copy of thjis circular to all local authorities." The chairman, Mr J. L. Banks: I don't think we have been doing what is-complained -of. , The letter was received and it was decided to comply with the request, r