STATE HIGHWAYS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 9, 9 December 1936, Page 2

STATE HIGHWAYS

SCHEME OUTLINED. Particulars of tlie operation of the State highways scheme were placed before the Manawatu County Council, yesterday, in a circular from the Pub lie Works Department. The letter stated that certain highways had been classified as State highways as from November 1, 1936. Prom that date approved maintenance and construction work on State highways would be wholly paid for from the main highways account, except in such cases where a local authority was making payments to the Highways Board toward the cost of both maintenance and construction. Those cases would be the subject of special consideration by the hoard. In the meantime, and where circumstances required, local authorities might remain in local charge of their sections of State highways and they would be reimbursed for the whole of the maintenance a.nd construction expenditure within the limits of approval which might have already been given by the board. No additional work beyond that already covered by authorities already issued was to be commenced by a local authority without the board’s approval. As early as possible, however, arrangements would be discussed with the council, for the purpose of the board taking over full control of the highways concerned. As to construction work of various kinds, where a county was committed to a contract, the county would he requir ed to complete that work, but would be paid in full for all work done aftei November 1. Sections of main arterial highways which were within boroughs and town districts were, with certain exceptions, included in the State highways system. Purely local requirements would, however, have to be met by the local body itself.

State highways in the Manawatu countv, it was added, would comprise the section of the Wcllington-Auckland highway from the Manawatu River to the Rangitikei River, and the section of the Sa.nson-Palmerston North highway from Sanson to the Awahuri bridge. There was no comment made on the letter, which was received.