Local Bodies Should Make Full Use Of Subsidies

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1946, Page 2

Local Bodies Should Make Full Use Of Subsidies

Northland local bodies did not make lull use of Government subsidies available for maintaining macadamised roads during the year ended March 31 last.

This was revealed in the annual report to the No. 1 District Highways Council, tabled by the chairman (Mr L. May) at the council's annual meeting at YVhangarei this morning.

•it is realised that conditions throughout the summer rendered the task of local bodies in maintaining macadamised surfaces a most difficult one, but it is rather disappointing to note that, in some instances, the amount of subsidy lilted approximated barely 50 per cent, of the amount voted for maintenance," stated the report. For the whole district, 04.9 per cent, of the amount provided was claimed by way of subsidy.

"In the coming year it would be appreciated if all local bodies would make every endeavour to spend maintenance moneys provided." continued the report.

"In this connection it might be jjointed out that a carry-over approximating up to £20.000 annually under this heading means that this sum. which could be advantageously diverted to construction items, is lost so far as the district is concerned.

"There is no doubt that the shortage and poor quality of plant has been a militating factor for council stall's, but, wherever possible, the board has assisted by carrying out grading.”

The average maintenance expenditure for each mile in Northland counties during the year, with figures for the previous year shown in parentheses, was: Bay of Islands, £47.2 (£71.2); Hobson, £BO (£92.37); Hokianga, £98.4 (£101.6): Mangonui. £57.6 (£28): Ctamatea, £l2O (£126.4); Whangarei, £72 (£1f)7.2); Whangaroa, £77.6 ( £51.2). ESTIMATES DOUBLED Estimates for the ensuing year almost doubled those of last year. £458.700 being allocated, as against £277,190. An approximate division of this amount under various headings was: Maintenance of state highways, £97.170: maintenance of main highways. £58,795; bridge renewals, state highways, £37,365; bridge renewals, main highways. £60.370; improvements. £205.000.

State highways had been maintained in reasonable order although the severe drought conditions had made it difficult to maintain road surfaces during the latter part of the summer and early autumn.

Expenditure had been higher than last year, the average cost per mile increasing from £220 to £270.

The total length of highways in the No. 1 district, as at March 31. 1946, was 846 miles 69 chains. Of this amount 230 miles 69 chains represented State highways. 141 miles 36 chains of which were gravel or macadam and 89 miles 33 chains were sealed. Main highways totalling 616 miles, comprised 606 miles 46 chains gravel or macadam and 9 miles 34 chains sealed. The most important constructional work during the year was the formation and eulverting of a two and a half mile deviation as thi' eastern approach to the Tangiteroria bridge. Owing to the occurrence of heavy slipping it was found impracticable to carry out metalling before winter. This work would be commenced next spring. BRIDGE I’ROGRAMME Good progress was reported in the furtherance of the bridge programme and a total length of 1258 ft was completed during the year. Of this length 961 ft were constructed on a two-way standard. The report tabulated bridges and culverts completed during the year, the largest being the 630 ft two-way structure at Titoki. Other major jobs included a 180 ft two-way bridge at Kalahari's, on the Waimamaku-Ohaea-wai highway. In the Mangonui county, at Waikuruki a 98ft bridge had been completed.

Bridges and culverts which were at present being constructed included the 610 ft bridge at Titoki. Almost completed were several other bridges, including structures of 180 ft at Wairua, 227 ft at Hikurangi, 120 ft at Kiripaka, 150 ft at Waiotama.

The bridging commitments against this year’s allocation would be substantially heavy, stated the report, the amount being estimated at £96,000. On the other hand, the position regarding proposals for the current year was somewhat obscure and indications were that there would be very little new work.

Some of the local bodies had almost completed their immediate programmes. while others had not yet arranged to finance their portion of the cost for bridges still to be replaced. The steel shortage was likely to hamper operations.