A STITCH IN TIME

Northern Advocate, 31 January 1927, Page 8

A STITCH IN TIME

WAIPU GORGE MAINTENANCE. RECONSTRUCTION LATER ON. Mr J. McEnnis, District Engineer of the' Public Works Department, and chairman of the Highways District Council. wrote to the Whangarei County Council this morning that it was deemed advisable to proceed with the maintenance of the road from the Maunga hereto railway station to Waipu. It was evident that the minimum expenditure required would be £250 outside the gorge and a like amount in the gorge. Outside the gorge the metal could be of small, size to even up tho length of “potholey” road, but within it, muchneeded water tabling, clearing of culverts and maintenance metal generally throughout would have to be dealt with. An authority for over £SOO had been issued, and a rough programme of expenditure was sought.

Cr. A. J. McKay moved that the request of the District Council of the Main Highways Board bo complied with forthwith, and that of such expenditure of £SOO the Council authorise the sum of £IOO out of the county main road fund. He pointed out that the riding, during the present financial year, was contributing £450 to the County Main Road Fund, and that up to date £94 11s 4d had been expended within the riding out of that fund.

After Cr. L. A. Johnson had been assured that the County Main Road Fund was all right, he stated his support of a movement to prevent greater expenditure in future by adopting the policy of a stitch in time when the'money was available. lie seconded the motion.

The chairman, Mr L. Webb, approved the motion, but said he would not have boon in favour of it if £SOO were to be spent upon reconstruction. The survey was going on, and if there were a chance of tho reconstruction being done he would not be in favour of spending large amounts upon maintenance at present.

Cr. J. H. Hayward wanted more information before spending £IOO from the Main Road Fund if it were to be lost. through early reconstruction work.

Cr. J. A. S. Mac Kay said he thought 'that the Council could well be guided by those most interested and by Mr McEnnis, who had recommended the expenditure.

The county clerk stated that Mr McEnnis had declared that the road would not be reconstructed for some time to come. He and Crs. McDonald and Elliott also spoke in favour of the motion on the grounds that, if maintenance were neglected, it would cost more in reconstruction later on. The motion was then carried unanimously.