COUNTY ROADS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 64, 9 December 1936, Page 5

COUNTY ROADS

Reconstruction and Sealing in Manawatu PROPOSAL TO RAISE LOAN Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, December 8. As the result of a decision by the Manawatu County Council to-day, a report is to be prepared on a proposal to raise a loan to reconstruct and seal the chief internal roads in the county. Introducing the subject, the chairman, Mr. W. E. Barber, said that with the completion of the No. 1 highway between Himitangi and Sanson it would appear that the life of the county e tramway (which was recently the subject of an article in "The Dominion”) was within measurable distance of its end. .the cram had been a wonderful asset to the district, but it looked as if before long the settlers still using it to transport their goods would have to find other means of transport. Of late years its greatest use was the haulage, of construction materials for the main highways, and it had been a big factor in keeping costs down. Before its closing down was dea.t with he was of the opinion that the county requirements (as well as further highway requirements) should receive serious consideration. The highways received benefits in the way of cheap haulage of construction metal, and some scheme should be devised whereby the county roads should receive a similar benefit. The requirements of the county for internal roads called for the consideration of a comprehensive reading scheme. It had practically but one source for the supply of road materials available at a reasonable cost, and it was important that the council should be cognisant of all the facts before its chief transport facility was done away with. Without the tramway the county would, be faced with heavy costs for other means of transport. If or when the tram was scrapped certain factors would have to be faced, such as the increased cost of maintenance of roads in the lower end of the county, owing to the extra cost of metal and roads having to carry the extra heavy traffic which at present went over the rails. Mr. Barber'said he would like the council to consider whether it would not be advisable to place before the ratepayers a proposal to raise a loan to reconstruct and seal the chief internal roads. Money at present could be obtained at a low rate of interest and with maintenance costs rising owing to labour conditions it might be more economical to pay -interest than have to l>ay increased rates and still have indifferent roads. So .that all aspects of the position could be considered he suggested that the executive officers be instructed to furnish a report dealing with the economic, financial and engineering viewpoints of the whole situation. This was agreed to. Messrs. R. V. Priest and O. J. Dolan waited on the council requesting it to undertake the formation and construction of 21 miles of road from Himitangi to the proposed Koputara Beach settlement. It was stated the money required for the work would be guaranteed by an interested syndicate and that it was understood it would be possible for the council to obtain a Government grant, providing the road was constructed according to required specifications. It was decided by the council that the road be formally dedicated before further steps were taken.