STREET EXPENDITURE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 61, 15 March 1924, Page 6

STREET EXPENDITURE

In ten mouths, according to figures quoted by the Civic League, Wellington City has spent £68,298 on street works. This has not provided for all necessary works, and some urgent undertakings have had to be postponed until more money is available. The Civic League urges that there is need for a thorough review of the whole street-making and mending position. We now spend a large sum on maintenance and yet have some bad streets. Wise capital expenditure upon reconstruction and permanent paving would reduce maintenance charges. Proof of that is obtainable from the work already done. But capital expenditure involves borrowing, and it may be argued that this is not a good time to talk of- loans. Much depends upon the return to be obtained from the borrowed money. It may well prove cheaper to borrow at an advanced rate than to continue handing out money for macadam work which is destroyed by traffic almost as soon as it is done. A review of-the work to be done (as suggested by the League), the return from present expenditure and tie probable return on capital expenditure, together with a statement of loan funds in hand and loans authorised but not raised, would enable the public to appreciate the whole position, and judge whether it is better to spend a large sum each year on maintenance (and mis-spend some of it) or face 'a greater expenditure from capital account.