MAINTAINING PORT ROAD

Evening Star, Issue 21093, 4 May 1932, Page 5

MAINTAINING PORT ROAD

EXPENDITURE FOR PAST YEAR PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR 1832-33 Up till the end of March the expenditure on the Dunedin-Port Chalmers road amounted to £3,286 8s 9d, and it is proposed to spend about £3,000 during the next 1 twelve months. This was advised by Mr F. J. VVilliams (borough engineer) in an extensive report to the West Harbour Borough Council last evening. The report showed, in addition to the maintenance costs, the cost of the doublo-surfaco scaling of the various sections of the road. The sum of £3,286 8s 9d had been expended, and would be paid as under:—Main Highways Board, £2,284 18s 6d; Dunedin City Corporation, £SOO 13s lid; West Harbour Borough Council, £375 12s lOd; Port Chalmers Borough Council, £125 3s 6d. . In the estimate the contributing local authorities were advised that the amounts required were as follow: —Dunedin City Corporation, £503 9s 9d: West Harbour Borough Council, £377 12s 4d; Port Chalmers Borough Council, £125 17s 6d. The expenditure had been kept within the estimates. The Engineer reported that the portion of the highway sealed during the 1930-31 season had proved very satisfactory, and had not needed any repairs. Provision was, however, _ made xn this year’s estimates for giving it another coat. The 1931-32 sealing programme was the most ambitious one yet undertaken, and the price was the best. The borough now had a continuous strip of one mile 64 chains tar-sealed. The remainder of the road had been satisfactorily maintained as a loose-top road, the grader being used to its fullest necessary extent. A number of culverts had been renewed, the transverse section of the road improved in places, and generally a high standard of maintenance had been attained.

A schedule of the proposed expenditure for the year ending March, 1933, was submitted by the engineer. This showed that provision had been made for an expenditure of £3,000, being somewhat similar to the previous years. The items calling for reference were the renewal of culverts and the continuation of the tar-sealing programme. The sealing of the 1930-31 work had already been referred to, and a sum of £lB2 had been allocated.

It was suggested that a further distance of 20 chains shold be sealed towards Dunedin in the Ravensbourne Ward, which would bring the sealing to that portion of the highway where it might require raising. In St. Leonards Ward it was suggested that approximately 67 chains should be carried out at places where ready, and that in the Sawyers Bay Ward and Waikouaiti County 35 chains be done. This was the flat at Sawyers Bay. If the council approved of the proposed expenditure the authorities interested would be advised. The council should now determine the class under which this road should be registered, which would then restrict the loading under the heavy motor vehicle regulations, 1932. In reply to an inquiry as to what portion of the road he now intended tarring, Mr Williams stated that he Vyould do 123 chains in stretches through residential areas to check the dust nuisance.

General satisfaction with the report was openly expressed by the mayor and councillors, and on the motion of Or Kay, seconded by Cr Robb, the engineer’s recommendations wore adopted. It was decided to settle the classification of the road at the next council meeting.