SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 5

SELWYN COUNTY COUNCIL

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS DELAYED

A draft balance-sheet for the year 1946-47 was submitted to the April meeting of the Selwyn County Council. Considering the increased volume of work accomplished, the net result of a balance of £9437, or only a decrease of £167 from the previous year, was ’'considered verj creditable. The county fund cu od at £5138 Is, and the repairs and renewal account at £4516. Rates and charges unpaid were 4 per cent, of the total, but nearly half of this was still owing on properties taken by the Government for settlement. In almost all cases revenue had exceeded the estimate, but because of limitations in labour and plant expenditure had been less than expected. The deficit in the water race account had been reduced by nearly one-third. Purchases of new plant almost exactly offset the depreciation on the old, both items being slightly in excess of £lOOO. In spite of heavy expenditure on improvements, revenue had improved so much that the balance of the Dunsandel hall account had fallen by only £l, reflecting great credit on the hall committee. The county engineer reported that the whole gravelling plant had been thrown out of action by a breakdown with the bulldozer. After three weeks’ work the machine had been repaired, but a further break had occurred almost immediately, and it was doubtful when the machine would again be available tor work. This had held up the whole programme of road improvement planned for this autumn. Councillors cited many lengths of roads which had broken up, especially during the recent wet weather, and were most anxious that progress should be continued in patching the worst lengths and in catching up arrears of maintenance. The engineer was authorised to hire a bulldozer in the meantime, and take all steps to try to get the county machine repaired. To aid in getting ahead of work, it was decided to take steps to speed up the delivery c.f the new grader and to order an industrial type tractor.

Members were astonished to find that a temporary speed limit could only be imposed on a road under construction or repair if the ordinary allowable speeu would be dangerous to the vehicle and its occupants. It was decided to make strong representations for an amendment to allow a temporary restriction in the interests of efficiency and economy in the work. In the present conditions of shortage of labour and plant this was especially necessary.

Highways estimates as recently submitted were approved. They covered th< completion of five miles mi sealing anc the reforming and gravelling of sever miles of other highways, as well as routine maintenance.