HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 September 1929, Page 4

HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

WILL BE BIGGER THAN EVER THIS YEAR.

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) DANNBVIRKE, This Bay.

Reference to the Highways Board’s programme for the current year was made by the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Public Works, to an Evening News ■representative.

“The Main Highways Board’s plan of works for the coming year,” the Minister said, “will be greater than for any previous year in the history of the Dominion. At the present time the number of men employed by the Highways Board on construction work is 3600. It is proposed to expend on construction work this year £1,050,000, and it is also proposed to expend over a million in maintenance. Together with the assistance of local bodies, no loss than two and a-haJf millions will be expended. If this year’s programme is carried out, it will mean absorbing 'the £640,000 now held in reserve. “As soon as the works are in full swing in the summer, it is hoped that 5000 men will be employed on the Highways. ’ ’ Regarding the £200,000 in the Public Works Department, the Minister added that the Main Highways Board would have the right to the use of this money, but instead of it being free as previously, the Board would require to pay interest, for it. In view of the Highways Board having a- surplus of £650,000, the Government felt that the Board was in a better position to pay interest than the Government, as the latter had taken oveu a deficit of £577,000 from the previous Administration.