MAIN HIGHWAYS

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 February 1939, Page 12

MAIN HIGHWAYS

BOARD’S BIG PROGRAMME. [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DUNEDIN, February (i. A warning that because of the extent of its programme at present it. would be a considerable time before the board could consider any substantial increase in its declarations of main highways was given by the deputy-chairman of lhe Main Highways Board (Mr. A. J. Baker) at a conference with local bodies in Dunedin to-day. Mr. Baker said the board had an abnormal programme of work on hand in the improvement of the highway system throughout the Dominion,’and it would be years before it would feel justified in saying that the job had been done. Complaints were sometimes received that the North Island was given undue preference in highways matters, but if the figures were analysed it would be seen that expenditure was very closely in proportion to respective numbers of motor vehicles in the two islands. Of expenditure on construction and improvements the South Island’s share last, year was proportionately higher than the North Island’s by a fair amount which indicated that the needs, of the South Island were quite well looked after.

"I would like to say also," Mr. Baker said, “that the board’s funds were carrying a very big proportion of expenditure, especially in maintenance costs. Local authorities last year paid only 12.5 per cent., leaving the Highways Board 57.5 per cent, to pay. There has also been a sharp increase in maintenance costs, which have risen from an average of £90.5 a mile to £101.2 a mile.” Mr. Baker emphasised that there was close co-operation between the Highways Board and the National Rond Safety Council. Consequently the whole of the board’s construction work was closely in line with the requirements of safety, which was a major consideration on the roads.