HIGHWAYS FINANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 231, 30 August 1937, Page 3

HIGHWAYS FINANCE

INCREASED EXPENDITURE. MR M. H. WYN YARD'S OUTLINE. Speaking at the annual conference, held in Wanganui, of the North Island Motor Union, Mr M. H. Wynyard, the motorists’ representative on the Main Highways Board, said that the work to bo undertaken this year by the board was estimated to involve from £500.000 to £600,000 more than had been the case last year. An important matter in the policy of the hoard was that of paving main highways. When the Whirokino area was completed there would he a paved road from Wellington to just north of Awakino, and within the course of a few years it was hoped that there would be a payed highway from Auckland to Wellington. It was expected to complete another 400 miles of paved highway during the coming year. Mr Wynyard said that tho ratio of expenditure between the North and South Island had been maintained in exact ratio to the comparative number of vehicles in each island. Sixty per cent, of the motor vobicles were in the North Island and 40 per cent, in the South Island and the ratio of expenditure was in almost the same proportion. Another important function of the Main Highways Board was the building of bridges. Many old bridges had reached tho end of their periods of utility and a considerable sum of money had been expended in reconstructing them or in building new bridges. The combined railway and traffic bridge over the Manawatu River between Pahiatua and Woodville had been the subject of representations to the board. Tho bridge was 1200 feet in length, and between £50,000 and £60,000 would be required to replace it. Although instructions had been given to have the area surveyed, it would be some time before the work was undertaken. However, the Railways Department was going to have the decking of the bridge boarded up to the level of the rails so that two vehicles could pass. It was onlyowing to the high cost that the bridge was not going to be replaced in the near future. The bridge was on the main highway from Wellington-Wai-rarapa-Hawke’s Bay and was a blot on the highway. The Main Highways Board, added Mr Wynyard, would be touring the North Island during the coming year, when its members would take the opportunity of meeting members of the automobile associations, whose efforts on behalf of the motoring community they regarded as very valuable. If in any part of the country there was any matter requiring attention from the point of view, of maintenance lie suggested that the district engineers should be approached on the matter brought before the notice of the board. Some local bodies had objected to the amount of money being spent but the Government pointed out in answer to the arguments raised that 80 per cent, of the heavy traffic in the Dominion used the, 4000 miles of arterial roads in question. It was considered also that it was impossible for local bodies the mopey required to bring t>ese. roads up to the standard of the Aain highways. An .extensive programme which cov-

ered the elimination of 250 railway crossings in various parts of the Dominion was also being undertaken by the board, said Mr Wynyard. Other necessary work brought the total expenditure last year up to £3.250,000. of which £2.500,000 was found out of revenue. The programme for the current year involved even heavier expenditure and a further £500,000 would be required. In a few years hence there- would be a continuous paved highway between Wellington and Auckland. Approximately 400 miles of road would be paved this year, Mr Wynyard added, and of this total 280 miles would lie in the North Island. He pointed out, however, that it was impossible for the board to organise its finances in such a way as to he certain in advance that the expenditure in' both the North and South Islands was in ratio to the nnmbor of registered motor vehicles and the population.