Apply For Highways

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1946, Page 3

Apply For Highways

(Spec.) NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. A member of the Main Highways Board (Mr VV. Morrison) yesterday urged county councils to apply for the declaration of more roads as highways and to list them in order of priority.

Mr Morrison, who was addressing a meeting of the No. 7 District Highways Council at Stratford, drew attention to the fact that relief from, rating for local bodies by the declaration of more main and state highways had been referred to by the Minister of Works (Mr Semple L Whether there would be more highways. however, would not be known until Parliament met and the board's allocation was announced. The position would probably be clarified by September. PRIOR CONSIDERATION The board felt that if new highways were declared prior consideration should be given to •counties with high rates. Stating that there were 50.000 miles of formed highways, 8000 miles of main highways and 4000 miles of state highways i.n New Zealand. Mr Morrison referred to the huge programme of delayed maintenance and bridge renewals facing the board. He said an inspection of South Island highways by the board revealed that maintenance had been fairly well carried out, but that the work had been hindered by the lack of labour and materials. This problem was Dominion-wide. Eight hundred bridges' were in urgent need of renewal, but because ot the shortage of cement, steel and labour the position was difficult. SPENDING GRANTS Mr Morrison expressed doubt whether some local bodies had spent the money allocated to them because of labour and material shortages. The board was anxious that grants be spent, otherwise applications for next year might be reduced. He suggested that if by. say. December, a local body found it required more money, the board would endeavour to meet its requirements. Referring to representations to the Government by the Automobile Association. Federated Farmers of New Zealand and other organisations that mere of the petrol tax should be devoted to roads. Mr Morrison said the board hoped that the Government would move in that direction.