£4 FOR £1 SUBSIDY IS NOT AGREED TO

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6809, 12 January 1929, Page 8

£4 FOR £1 SUBSIDY IS NOT AGREED TO

For Bulls Bridge

HIGHWAYS COUNCIL REFUSES TO BUDGE

manawatu dissatisfied.

The District Highways Council notified the Manawatu County Council las., evening that it could not accept the latest proposal of the Manawatu and Ramritikci County Councils that a suo sidy of £4 for £1 be paid on the cosu of the new Bulls bridge provided that the Highways Board, in addition, tools over 80 per cent, of the loans raised by tho County Councils for the present bridge for the remainder of the term of such loans. The Board had noted that the County Councils recommended that the new bridge be erected in reinforced concrete throughout. The Rangitikei County Council notified that a seven days’ tally of traffic over the bridgo had revealed that 46d2 oars and 1855 other traffic had made use of the structure —total 6507. This was nearly doublo tho tally takon in June last and the difference between the two tallies could be accounted for by traffic from outside the two coum Tho chairman (Mr. W. E. Barber) observed that after these figures the Highways Board ought to build the bridge -without any contribution from the counties.

Tho Council passed a resolution expressing dissatisfaction with the attitured taken by the Highways Council.

Increase Petrol Tax! DEMAND FROM COUNTY COUNCIL. INCREASING BURDEN OF ROADS. The Tauranga County Council wrote the Manawatu County Council last ovening viewing with alarm the increasing burden upon the ratepayers since the inception of motor traffic, more especially in the case of main roads. The Tauranga Council considered that the most equitable method of coping with the problem of maintenance was per medium of the petrol tax and other direct levies on motor owners. They urged that the Government should pass legislation to effect this solution at tho earliest opportunity. Cr. J. Boyce agreed that the ratepayers should not be taxed for main road maintenance.

The chairman (Cr. W. E. Barber): But we have to look at tho question from the point of view of getting things done. When our roads aro completed our maintenance will bo cut down, and further, a considerable number of tho mon wo now employ will not be wanted.

Cr. J. Boyce: It boils down to an increase in the petrol tax. The chairman pointed out that tho county now secured a two for one subsidy for maintenance. The County Clerk (Mr. A. K. Drew) observed that the Manaivatu County Council had moved in the same direction as the Tauranga Council years ago and at that time Tauranga had stood aloof. Now, it seemed, they were being bit by tho motor traffic. The Tauranga request was suffocated.