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ROAD WORKS.

THE- FINANCIAL ASPECT. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. "During the financial year ended March 31. 1924, the expenditure on roads and bridges by the Department has constituted another record,” says the Public Works Statement. "Naturally, on account of the claims of settlement and the undeveloped state of the North Island as compared with the South Island, the expenditure has been much larger in the former. Even if present expenditure continued in the same proportions it will still be many years before conditions as regards facilities for transport in the North Island can compare with those already prevailing in the South Island.” "The progress made has, on the whole, been satisfactory. Many of the most important gaps in the arterial roads have been linked up, or improved to such an extent that early linking up is probable. Given similar progress for another year or two, there is every prospect of there being roads passable all . the year round to practically every settlement of importance in the Dominion. "Special attention, lias again been given, particularly on those roads which are directly under the supervision of tiie Department, to the obtaining of grading, alignment, and curvature suitable to modern conditions. Every precaution has also been taken to secure the thorough drainage of the foundations of all roads on which surfacing is proposed, and also, after surfacing, the systematic rolling of the material. Adequate provision is also being made for maintenance, an essential feature, and without which the results of capital expenditure soon disappear. "In the , past there has been some complaint by local authorities that the appropriations do not become available sufficiently early to take full advantage of the most suitable season for carry- ' mg out works. I ani endeavouring to improve this position by authorising certain amounts for expenditure by • the local authorities as soon as the l Estimates are framed. By doing so • certain urgent works can be put in hand, several months earlier than if s these works had.to await the passing i of the Estimates before the works > could be authorised. "The system of framing the aUocai tions in accordance with certain fac--5 tors, such as area, population, esti- ■ mates of completion of roads, values, . undeveloped lands, etc., has again been 3 adopted. There has been much satis--1 faction expressed at the adoption- of , the principle by which the local author--5 ifcies and the officers of the Depart- ’ meat mutually confer as to the interests of the districts concerned. By 1 this means more cordial relations have 1 been established, and by mutual agree- ■ ment certain works that would under ' ordinary circumstances have been in--1 eluded in the Estimates have given s dace to others having superior claims 0 'or inclusion. e ‘‘ln consequence of the diminished v demand for sections in/ the backe blocks, the expenditure, in connection e vith the roading under land for settle-rive-nts vote for the current year has e been somewhat less than usual, r “It is satisfactory that during t the past year there • has been less t occasion to deal with unemployment 3 than during recent years, and conseauently the claims that works should e be started to relieve the labour market e have been even fewer than during the ,f previous year. e "There are now in various parts throughout the Dominion lengthy sections of roads for which engineering i surveys have been made, and which are ready for work when sufficient funds become available, or when labour condi- !' tions indicate that they could with . advantage be put in hand.”

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HAWST19241028.2.46

Bibliographic details

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 October 1924, Page 6

Word Count
588

ROAD WORKS. Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 October 1924, Page 6

ROAD WORKS. Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 October 1924, Page 6

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