The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY MAY 25, 1933. HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY MAY 25, 1933. HIGHWAYS EXPENDITURE.

Some general and local information in regard to main highways expenditure on the Coast and in this district, has appeared in our columns this week, and readers would he able tb form some idea of the extent and scope of the works-in hand... The Highways system introduced, under Mr. Coates’ tenure of - 'office, was. certainly a good one, a«d it would bo « better one to-day if its funds were not being raided by the Government to assist it in balancing th-s, budget, Funds intended for the Highways Board . have been appropriatd by the Llreabury/r; whilei contributions from the latter quarter have not been paid over. The funds of the Board thus have been considerably depleted, and more or less urgent works which would otherwise; have been performed, have had to be deferred. This is said to be the case specially with th, 3 renewal of bridges on the main highways. Many of tho structures cire old and in decay, and a recent examination of the Dominion position revealed that fully £360,000 was required for the renewal of bridges alone. That very large sum is not available 'and is the treason why bridges such as Three Mile Creek, Waimea and Kanieri River—to name only three in this district — remain in abeyance. With the limited funds, tho best is being done by providing for the more urgent and patching i?.s required those in greatest danger. The amount for road maintenance is affected also, and . with the curtailment in amount, the reads are not up to- the standard formerly prevailing. There must, be a growing liability on the fund in this respect, and the sooner the funds for the Board are applied in their' proper channel the better. T'he highways system in this district may be considered generally satisfactory. The roads under the Public Works Department, stretching from Arthur Pass to- Weheka, over 180 miles in length, are naturally costly in regard- to 'upkeep. The climate affects' maintenance seriously, and floods add to the bill of costs. Mlost of the bridges and culverts on the route are of many years standing, and renewals and renoirs must be fairly constant. Much is being done by renewed culverts in permanent material and as the years go by, the benefit of this expenditure will be realised to better advantage. The 'seconderv roads are under the caret of the local body and users will have the best knowledge of the standard maintained. Most of the roads since the beginning of the year have suffered from flooding. a"d the sur-fo-p pi-.'.: been affected. There is no doubt the highways system has resulted in an improved standard of n-tointenianqai, -'"d this has had its effect on the-upkeep of roads generally, and users derive, the benefit. With the funds available much good work has been done, and the general improvement to the roads, not only in regard to ; the surface, but. also, to width , and attention to bad or dangerous points with th->. result that the roads are sfefer, and faster motor traffio is available. The motorist has

to contribute substantially to the highways fund, and naturally expects a return in keeping with his payments, ilia motor organisations are alert to the position, but with tho Government in a. liecuy position' all things arc possible. Yet tuo motorists .shook! not let up in the agitation to'have spent on the roads and bridges the targe amounts so ungrudgingly contributed for that purpose.