Maintain Highways

Northern Advocate, 14 June 1947, Page 6

Maintain Highways

“Wo must cut down expenditure on side roads while keeping our highways in good order,” said the chairman of the Wluingarei County Council (Cr J. Morrison) yesterday. He was referring to the county estimates for 1947-411 whicli were presented to the council by the county clerk (Mr G. H. Lloyd). “It is good policy to increase the available money for highway maintenance and improvement.” he continued. “Expenditure has gone lip hind the estimates show that we have insufficient funds to keep our side roads in order. As we cannot tax ratepayers any more we must endeavour to carry on at least for this year,” he concluded. "SHOCKED” Cr J. Scott-Davidson said he had been shocked by the estimates and thought that ridings may have to strike a higher rate. “Estimates should have been out before rates were out,” he said. “It is no use having fancy highways when the side roads are impassable,” stated Cr C.' W. Powell. ESTIMATES CUT After much discussion the estimated expenditure for the current year was reduced by £2300. This was done by reducing the estimated expenditure on main highways by £IOOO to £3500; on x t.yre replacement by £2OO to £OOO and the contingencies fund by £IOO to £SO. Plant replacement, yard alterations and additions and building repairs, figured at £SOO. £3OO and £2OO respectively, were deleted. The estimated expenditure is now reduced from £4500 to £2200.