MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 220, 15 August 1928, Page 7

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

BOARD’S OFFER REFUSED.

BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL.

Advice was received at the meeting of the Horowhenua County Council in Levin on Saturday from the Main Highways Board that with a view to assisting the council, the board had decided to make the following offer: To pay a subsidy, of £2 for £1 towards the cost of completing, in bituminous penetration work for (a) the remainder of the unsurfaced section of the Auckland-Wellington via Taranaki, Main Highway within the county, (b) the remainder of the unsurfaced section of that portion of the Levin-Palmerston North Main Highway between Levin and Shannon. A condition of the board’s offer is that the county shall raise an additional 10 per cent, on its loan, which is allowed by the Local Bodies Act without further reference to the ratepayers. It appeared, the letter added, that the total cost of completing the work would be £139,000 and that it would be possible to complete the whole programme of the Auckland-Wellington Highway with the finance available. With regard to jjio portion of the Levin-Palmerston Main Highway from Shannon to the county north boundary, the board was of the opinion that, in view of the financial difficulties which had developed, the paving of this section of road should be indefinitely postponed. Siicli postponement also appeared advisable m view of the possibility _of a direct route to Longbum, which would be the natural outcome of any scheme which might bo undertaken in the future by the Manawatu-Oroua River Board. _ „ The chairman, Cr. Monk, briefly outlined the negotiations windy had taken place and stated that an interview also took place with Mr F. W. Furkert, chairman of the Main Highways’ Board, to discuss the board s offer, which it appeared evident the council could not accept. It was pointed out to Mr Furkert that the board’s proposals did not make any allowance for the finishing of the road between Levin and Otaki, tor which £IO,OOO was required including the cost of new bridges. 1 urther, it was pointed out that there was five miles of road in the Tokoniaru Riding which had been prepared for sealing and the bitumen for which was stored on the side of the road; also there was two miles of road partly formed north of Makerua. No provision had been made for the finishing of those ’lengths, and the conned considered that the wdrk in hand should be completed before any other work was done. Mr Furkert did not seem to know that such was the case, until it was pointed out to him. He had agreed with Mr Monk’s suggestion that the council might formulate proposals. ' After the interview, the committee had met and it had been decided to instruct the county clerk, engineer and chairman to draw up proposals and submit them to the board. This had since been done Remarking that he did pot think it advisable that at this juncture the proposals should be made Pubhc, the chairman then placed them before the council in committee.