MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23445, 27 September 1941, Page 10

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

♦ REDUCED ACTIVITY Reduced activilics of the Main Highways Board because loss money was available were reviewed by Mr M. H. Wynyard, motorists’ representative ori the board, at the annual meeting of the South Island Motor Union yesterday. In 1939-40, he said, the expenditure was £5,672,000, but in 194041 it was only £3,667,000, a'reduction of £2,000,000. , 4 . ... Certain standing charges totalling about £1,000,000, had to be met, and in addition there was the important work of maintenance of highways, which last year cost a little more than £1 000,000. This meant that the fund which suffered from the reduction m the board’s finances was really the construction fund. That was why the board had not been able to complete some works which were under contemplation, and very few new works were started last year. During the current year it appeared that there would be a still further cut. It appeared that this year the estimates would provide a total of about £3,000,000, or £600,000 less than last year. It would be necessary to revise the board’s programme to some extent. Certain things had to be attended to. First of all there was the maintenance of highways, then the t reconstruction of some bridges. Flood*damage to highways had to be provided for, but the cost in any year could never be anticipated, the amount last year being £250.000. In addition tnere were certain highways of military importance on which the board was spending money. The board would have to restrict its sealing of highways. In 1939 the length sealed was 440 miles. This was reduced to 243 miles in 1940, and the length would be less again this year. The board’s revenue last year was £2,392,000, compared with .-,2,700,000 in the previous year. It locked as though this year the board would have to lean to a certain extent on its capital funds to maintain the ads. Mr W. R. Carey said it was satisfactory to know that in spite of reductions in finance quite a lot of work was being done by the board. Questions on highways matters in the various districts were asked by members as follows:—Temporary provision at approaches to Appleby bridge on Richmond-Collingwood H.ghway (Mr R. P. Furness, Nelson-Marl-borough); sealing of main highway to Waipahi (Mr D. J. Wetfhey, Southland); reconstruction of Washdyke bridge (Mr R. Wilson, South Canterbury); sealing of the uncompleted portion of the road to Kurow (Mr J. H. Main. North Otago); footpath for Woedbournc Air Station to Springlands (Mr R. P. Furness, Marlborough). Mr Wynyard replied as follows: — Appleby bridge: A further report being obtained from the local engineer, Waipahi sealing: Inquiry would be made. Washdyke bridge: Work would be proceeded with as soon as it could possibly be undertaken. Kurow scaling: The board was anxious to do the work if the money could be found. Woodbourne footpath: Board prepared to find £1 for £l.