MAIN HIGHWAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS

MANAWATU COUNTY LOAN EXPLAINED. TO RANGIOTU FARMERS’ MEETING. Prior to the commencement of the annual meeting of the Rangiotu branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union last night, the chairman (Mr W. H. Gimblett) called upon Cr. Boyce, of the Manawatu County Council, to explain to the meeting just what the proposed £60,000 loan for road works within the county was for. A circular from the County Council on the matter was read to the meeting. It stated that the local body proposed to raise a loan of £60,000 to take advantage of the provisions of the Main Highways Act under which the Main Highways Board -would find half the cost of laying down the roads in permanent fashion. There was, it stated, much fast through motor traffic which badly damaged the old macadam roads. The total expenditure under the Act in Manawatu County would be £105,000 and the council proposed to ask the ratepayers to find £52,500 for its share of the cost and £7500 for the machinery required and which the council would have to pay for. Grading of roads had in some cases caused them to have too round a carnbro which was dangerous and that would have to be remedied. Expert opinion was that it was most economical to put down a waterproof surface of tar or bitumen ratner than to continue the excessive cost of jjmintaining macadam roads. Even though much of the county motor traffic was from outside it had to bo provided for, and the Main Highways Board recognised that by providing half of the cost. The circular detailed what had to be done to the roads and pointed out that the work would have to be spread over eight or 10 years so that the amount to bo raised each year would not be so great, while the saving in maintenance was expected to go a long way towards paying interest and other charges. In any case, the board would pay one-third of the cost of maintenance. PERMANENT ROADS NEEDED.

The Act was there, said Cr. Boyce, and they had to make the best of it though ho thought they would have been better without it. If they desired to get back some of the extra motor taxes levied on them for the purpose they had to raise their quota and thus have it subsidised by the board. He detailed the main highways in the county and commented that with the increase in motor traffic they had to furnish permanent roads. As the main roads grew worse the motors used the side roads, which were not designed to stand so much traffic. If the main roads were good the traffic would keep to them. “The main argument,” he said, “is the means of getting back some of our money which we havo paid out in motor registration.” Replying to Mr Gimblett, he said that the construction of the roads would bo under the supervision of the board. “It will be an expensive business —there will bo a regiment of engineers,” said Cr. Boyce, who in reply to a further question said that he did not know when operations would commence. There was no doubt that the position had to bo met. SETTLERS COMPLAIN. “"Why not spend some more money down here?” asked Mr Simmons. Cr Boyce said that the local section of the county had been well treated. “Talk about 300 yards, we have not had 300 stones,” said Mr Simmons referring to the Mangawhata district roads. “I haven’t been there for 6ome time,” said Cr Boyce. “That is the trouble—we don’t see you. In going over some of the roads you would lose the spare wheel off your car,” said Mr Simmons, who proceeded to vigorously voico his grievances. “You could not have ridden your horse along it -without breaking your neck,” said Mr Dixon, -who digressed to. point out the state of a certain road in the district. There followed a number of complaints voiced in the same manner about the roads in which those present were interested. “We would like to keep all your roads in good order, but it is difficult to do so,” said Cr Boyce. He pointed out since the advent of the antecedent

liability provision in regard to local bodies the riding accounts bad to finish in credit and if there was not enough money to do all the necessary works they simply had to stand over. Horowhenua County, ho said, had carried its loan under the Act.

“About time, too,” said Mr Dixon. MANAWATU CANNOT STAND OUT. Cr Boyce, continuing said that whatever happened the Manawatu main roads could not stand out of the general highways schema for ever—-their hands might be forced—though if the loan was not carried on this occasion they would “stand as they were” for the present. “Why did the tyre tax fall through and can lorries run day and night on tho same license?” asked Mr llaikes. Cr Boyce said that the tyro tax was retained but had not produced enough, though ho thought that it should have been made to produce enough as a straight out tyre tax was the test means of raising the required funds, he thought. Anent the second question, he stated that lorries could legally run day and night for the individual lorries were licensed. SPECIAL RATE NEEDED. Replying to Mr Dixon, Cr Boyce said that to raise the loan would not alter the general rate, though there would be a special rate of about 13-32 of a penny. “It seems that we will have to vote for tho loan or maintenance will increase,” said Mr Gimblett, MUST VOTE FOR LOAN.

Mr Gimblett, in proposing a vote of thanks to Cr Boyce, which was carried, reiterated that it appeared that they would havo to vote for the loan. “The good roads will bo all right when we get them, but they will be a mighty long time coming,” he said.

On behalf of the settlers along the Main Drain road Mr Dixon asked that tho County Council bo requesetd to construct a. water table along that road.—lt was decided to inform the council accordingly.