MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1076, 24 July 1924, Page 5

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

FINANCING NEW ROAD WORK,

COUNCILS SEEK ASSISTANCE.

Several communications concerning various aspects of the effect of the Main Highways Act were received and dealt, with at the meeting of tho Pohangina County Council yesterday.

The first letter considered was one from the Waitomo County Council forwarding a circular addressed to the Minister for Finance on the question of loans to local bodies. The communication asked that the Government be urged to consider the necessity for amending the existing legislation so as to enable local bodies to obtain sufficient loans from tho Stale Advances office for the purposes of the Main Highways Act, and other developmental work. At present, it was pointed out, a county council was limited to an advance of £SOOO a year from tho St'ato Advances Office and if a comprehensive and progressive reading scheme was entered upon money had to bo raised from other quarters at a higher rate of interest. To do such work at tho rate of £SOOO a year necessitated it being done by the objectionable and expensive method of small sections. Tho requirements of the Main Highways Act had increased the difficulties, and unless some provision was mado a number of counties would bo unable. to meet their obligations. Especially, it was stated, would this be the case with counties which in the past had been progressive in loan works and which were carrying a heavy burden of special rates. It would bo unfair to penaliso such

counties, the advice concluded. A letter was also received from the Horowhenua County Council regarding (ho method of financing the cost of main highway construction. The communication stated that the Horowhenua County Council considered that as the whole scheme appeared one of national importance local authorities should obtain the necessary funds to provide their contributions on the most favourable terms an-d, without the need for competing with each other in the money market. With'this object in view it- had been decided to ask for the' co-operation of other county councils in requesting tho Counties’ Association to take the matter up with the Government with a view to raising a loan for the purpose of lending to local bodies af-

fected by the construction of roads under the Main Highways Act. At the suggestion of the chairman (Cr H. W. Smart) both letters were considered together. He remarked that the sentiments expressed in both were much alike, stating “I think we should support the suggestion put forward by the llorowhenua council.” He added that the ma-

chinery of tho Counties’ Association could well be U3ed in an endeavour to secure the financial accommodation sought. Cr Arbon agreed, but mentioned that the Pohangina County Council would only bo slightly affected. It was decided to reply to the Waitomo County Council that the Pohangina council was supporting tho proposal put forward by the Horojvnenua County Council. ROADS IN THE DISTRICT. The chairman of No, 9 district Highways Council write delegating to the County

Council powers under the Act in respect to the main highways listed as follows : Ashhurst-Pohangina, the Ashhurst-Pohan-gina main highway; Kimbolton-Apiti, th.e Kimbolton-Apiti main highway, both in the Pohangina county. —Received. A further intimation considered wM from the Public Works Department sta£ ing thut as the main highways in the county had now been gazetted any special works of repair on same should bo reported to the district engineer, Public Works Department, Wellington. Schedules . for work of construction, re-construction, maintenance and repairs proposed to be undertaken in tho currant financial year should bo forwarded to the district council. Unless an amendment of the Act was passed early in the coming session, however, no construction or re-construc-tion could he undertaken, for there would bo no provision for local authorities to raiso a loan to meet contributions to the

Main Highways Board or other local authority. In the meantime tho council could submit to tho District Highways Council particulars of lengths of highways which warranted bitumen treatment or other improvement so that the total, expenditure could be arrived at. —Received.