No New Votes For Roads This Year

Northern Advocate, 14 August 1942, Page 2

No New Votes For Roads This Year

In reply to a letter sent by the Whangarei County Council to Mr. ■J. G. Barclay, M.P., asking to be supplied with the current Road and Bridge Estimates applicable to the Whangarei County, Mr. Barclay stated that he regrets these were not available. He was informed by the Minister for Public Works that no detailed estimates have been prepared this year, the commitments from last year being more than enough to absorb this year’s appropriations. Unexpended Balances

in a circular memorandum the acting District Engineer. Public Works Department (Mr. W. L. Bell) informed the County Council that the amount available for the Roads Note this year \vas already accounted for by the unexpended balances of authority held by District Engineers and Local Authorities. The balances of authority carried forward from 31/3/42 plus any new authorities issued since that date must therefore be regarded as the County's allocation for the year. This means, continued the lettter, that nc new work could be authorised unless an amount coi’responding with the new sum required was cancelled from existing authorities. Only works of primary national emergency and importance would be considered. and it would be necessary to submit full reports covering this aspect in connection with any new works, the council may have occasion to put forwai'd On no account must issue of authority be anticipated. A list of balances of authority in the various items were submitted to the Council which was asked to go through them carefully, and advise the engineer as soon as possible any which may be cancelled. The letters were received on the motion of the Chairman (Mr. J. A. S Mac Kay).