The Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1882. THE ROADS AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION BILL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 296, 4 September 1882, Page 2

The Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1882. THE ROADS AND BRIDGES CONSTRUCTION BILL.

This Bill is intended to provide funds to assist local bodies in the construction of new works. It is proposed to set aside ,£200,000 for main roads and d 8200,000 for district roads ; the public works and land funds contributing to the first class and the public works and treasury contributing to the second class. Main roads are to be declared by notice published by the minister in the Gazette. No attempt is made to define what constitutes a' main road, and in consequence the chances are that the number of roads claiming to be main roads will be very great. When a County Council desires, it his plans and specifications and estimates of the proposed works supplied and forwarded to the minister for approval. Wh«n approved, a poll is taken, and if a majority both in number and value of the ratepayers vote for the loan, the money will be granted. If, however, the Council will find onefourth of the money wanted, the Colonial Treasurer may pay over the three-fourths without a poll. The security for loans for main roads will bo a special rate to cover one-fourth of tho cost of the work in ten years. Upon the, whole, we regard the pro- | posal for main roads as a reasonable and liberal one. In regard to district roads, the proposals are similar, except that the whole of the sum borrowed has to be repaid instead of onefourth only ; consequently the inducement to have as many main roads as j possible in a district is very great. No poll need be taken where the ratepayers number less than 100. The special rate to be imposed to repay interest and sinking fund for loans for district roads is proposed to be fixed at fifteen equal instalments at nine por cent." on the whole amount to bo applied for. Notice of. a proposed poll must be given orice in each week for four weeks before it is taken. The funds for main roada will be in part supplied by rates on Crown lands, and in' part from 20 per cent, of cash received for land sold. The funds for district roads will be in part borrowed by the Colonial Treasurer from Government Insurance, Public Trustee, or other public fund of like nature. In. the event of extraordinary damage "occurring, the Bill proposes that applications for grants to Repair such damago shall, bo. a first ..charge against the fund. The re-building of abridge on a main road will be deemed construction if required on account of fair wear and tear. All applications for this year must be made prior to Jan. Ist, 1883. After this year all applications must be made prior to June 30th. If need be, rates may be niade over a portion only of a district. Local bodies may make joint applications. If any moneys are misapplied members of the local body will be personally liable for the money somisapplied. In the event of a special rato being either too small or too great ; it may be amended. If the local body pay any one of the debentures out of ordinary revenue they need not during that ye^r levy any special rate. The provisions for loans for district roads are less liberal than for main roads, but, though somewhat costly and intricate, appear to be practicable and equitable,; and we shall be glad to see the Bill travel safely through both Houses, at the usual race - horse speed.