MAIN HIGHWAYS SYSTEM

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21903, 2 October 1936, Page 12

MAIN HIGHWAYS SYSTEM

CLASSIFICATION UNDER STATE CONTROL PROVISION MADE IN NEW BILL [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October I.' Provision for the of part of the present main highways system as State highways is made in the Main Highways Amendment Bill, which was introduced in of Representatives by Governor-General’s Message to-day. In general, the biU follows the lines of previous announcements made by the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) about the proposed State highways system. Under the bill the Main Highways Board, with the approval of the Minister, may classify any main highway Or any part of a main highway as a State highway. ThC board _is also given power to determine standards of construction and maintenance for ail main highways. The whole of the cost of construction and maintenance of State highways will be paid out of the Main Highways Account. However, works in excess of, or in addition to. the standard prescribed, are not to be paid out of the account unless the board decides to pay either whole or part of the additional cost. The liabilities of local authorities at the time of the classification of a State highway are not to be affected, unless the board decides to remit or refund any contribution payable by the local body concerned. Under the existing law, the board is liable for not less than one-third of the cost of the maintenance, and not less'than one-half of the cost of the construction, of all main highways. Provision is made for appeals to the Minister from decisions of the board fixing the contributions ,to be made by local authorities toward the cost of any works on main highways, including decisions as to remissions or refunds in respect of State highways. Appeals must be made within a month of the announcement of the board s decision, although the board is required to announce its decision as final before any appeal is permitted. Under another clause, works of construction on main highways are not to begin without the previous consent of the Minister, which may be granted subject to certain conditions. Construction .work is defined in the bill as including reconstruction and other improvements other than maintenance, which is also defined to embrace repairs. The clause does not restrict the board’s power to sanction works of maintenance.

Provision is also made for the appointment of a deputy-chairman of the board, who is to be one of the two Government members, other than the chairman.