HIGHWAYS BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 8, 7 December 1937, Page 10

HIGHWAYS BOARD

VISIT TO FEILDING.

Members of the Main Higlnvays Board, consisting _of Messrs A. J. Baker (deputy-chairman), M. H. Wynyard, W. MolTisOil, J. W. Scott, G. W. Knapp (secretary) and G. W Albertson (engineer), visited Feilding thiis morning to discuss higlnvays matters Avith the district local bodies. From Feilding the party proceeded to Sanson, Fox toil, Lci'in, and Otakj, and Avill return to Wellington this eA'ening. Mr T. Collins, Mayor of Feilding, Avel coined tlie party and pointed out the Value of the personal visit. Regarding the tour of Feilding, Mr Collins said that tlie revenue at tlie disposal of the Borough Council for tarsealing of liigliAvays was small,' and the assistance of the board in making finance available for necessary highway sealing lvork avoulci be appreciated. Mr Baker acknoAvledged the value of securing local viewpoints and making local contacts. This facilitated tho work of the board Avhen matters concerning tho local bodies came under discussion.

BOROUGH COUNCIL’S CLAIM. The fact that East and South Streets, by virtue of the heavy uranic on them, rvere justifiably main highways Avas referred to by Mr Collins, Avlio said that these streets Avere called upon to carry very heavy stoeit traffic in addition to the normal burden. The sealing of the streets involved 65 chains, and it Avas impossible for the Borough Council to undertake to finance the Avork. The intersection of Aorangi East and South Streets had been scaled by the council, involving ill all eight chains. Mr Baker, replying, said that the board Avas facing a lug programme in bringing the highways'up to a state of efficiency consistent Avith the increased volume of traffic. He admitted that the Borough Council bad a good claim, and its application Avould be noted. When a further application was made it Avould be very carefully considered. Mr Baker asked if the streets referred to Avore in good order for sealing. Mr Collins intimated that such was the case. OROUA COUNTY COUNCIL. Mr A. Campbell, chairman of the Oroua County Council, acknoAvledged a ,Avolcomc extended by Mr Baker and referred to the pleasant relations -which had existed betAveen local bodies and the board. He, however, complained that the delay in getting authority to proceed Avith certain sealing ivork, including tho Pohangina Road and Feilding-Oliff Road, had occasioned his council considerable inconvenience and expense. Plad authority to proceed with preparatory Avork been given earlier, over £2OO Avould bave been saved.

Mr Baker’s explanation in the matter Avas accepted Avith satisfaction. Mr Campbell also referred to delays in the settlement of claims made to the board b,y county councils, and asked that pressure be brought to bear to see that claims Avere settled expeditiously. Mr Baker said the delays Avere not caused through lack of nnjney, and the board endeavoured to get claims dealt Avith promptly. He would note the complaint, and added that the board Avas anxious to pay claims immediately. Mr Campbell strongly supported the Feilding Borough Council’s claim for the declaration of East and South Streets as main higlnvays. . The Mayor and Mr Campbell thanked the members of tlie board for their visit, . stating that they h°P e( f that good would - come of the round-table talk.

Apologies for inability to be represented Avere received from the Kiwitea and Pohangina County Councils, Avhich were not represented but which had sent their compliments and had intimated that they had no matters to bring up. When they reach Wellington tonight, the members of the hoard Aviil have completed a tour of the Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, National Park, Taihapc, Marton, Feilding, Sanson, Levin and Otaki districts in Avhich they have interviewed no fewer than 52 local bodies.