IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19676, 30 June 1927, Page 11

IMPROVEMENT OF ROADS

FORMING DEFINITE POLICY.

CANTERBURY LOCAL BODIES. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH, Wednesday. In order to mould a Canterbury policy for main highways, based upon information contained in the report of the Select Committee of the Canterbury Progress League upon the economies of motor transport in relation to highways, a conference of representatives of counties from approximately Cheviot to Ashburton, was held this morning in the Chamber of Commerce rooms. It was desired to get unanimity of action among county councils in Canterbury, as a step toward concerted effort throughout the Dominion. Fears were expressed that the £350,000 estimated to be standing to the credit of the South Island in the main highways revenue fund, would be transferred to the construction fund, and thereupon be used for work in any part of the Dominion.

The conference was attended by 30 delegates. Professor A. 11. Tockcr, of Canterbury College, who was largely responsible for the league's report, was also present. A former president of the Progress League, Mr. W. Iv. McAlpine, presided. Feeling Among Motorists. " He who pays the piper should call the tunc." said Professor Tucker. "There is a feeling among motorists that the Main Highways Board is not functioning as it should. There has been no comprehensive policy outlined and followed. Rather has the board left the initiative to the county councils. Most local bodies estimate their expenditure and then make their income correspond, but the trouble with the board seems to bo that, there being no definite policy, there is no knowledge as to what the expenditure will be and where it will be used.

" The salient points of the position are that there are three bodies:—The counties, the Main Highways Board and the motorists. Ail have a common interest, but are somewhat at variance. They should get together. The initiative to start something is thrown on the counties whioh, generally, want more money. If they are to start anything it is up to the counties to say what money they want and where it will be siient." "In the North Island they have spent every penny they could get their hands on," said the chairman. "We have been more conservative in the South, mainly through the lack of a comprehensive policy." English Standard Unattainable. Mr. W. T. Li 11 (Ashburton) said finance was the trouble. New Zealand, which had a total length of roads about as great, as in England, wanted its quality to be on a par with the English highways. '1 his could not be done in view of New Zealand s relatively small population. The luxurious standard of living, including the possession of good roads, involved a heavy financial burden, which at least one. section—the farmers—could not bear with equanimity. The speaker criticised any suggestion of the imposition of a petrol tax which, he said, would penalise (lie use of tractors for farm work. He though.' a tyre tax was more equitablo

" The sum of £350,000 which is going to be transferred from the highways revenue fund to the construction fund," said Mr. G. Maginniss (Paparua), " is probably the same amount as is estimated to lie to the credit of the South Island revenue fund."

'lhe following committee was finally set up to formulate a definite policy of road improvement for Canterbury local bodies, a drait report upon such policy to be presented to a subsequent conference:—Professor Tocker, Messrs. F. Langbein, chief engineer, Public Works Department; A. A. Fooks, Ashburton County; R. T. Lindsay, Waipara; W. J. Walter, Waimairi; John Cunningham, Springs; W. K. McAlpine, Tawera; T. Thompson, Waiwera; and G. Magiuness. Papa ru a.

NUMBER THREE DISTRICT. WORK FOR YEAR REVIEWED. [BV TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] TAURANGA, Wednesday. A meeting of the No. 3 District Highways Council was held at the office of the Public Works Department, Tauranga, this week. The chairman, Mr. F. S. Dyson, presented the annual report for the year ended March 31, 1927, which showed that 11 miles 50 chains of roads had been formed, 15 miles 45 chains metalled, and 682 ft. of bridgings erected. The main \\orks in the district were the erection of the Waioeka Bridge at Opotiki and the metalling of roads at Botorua. A total amount of £90,851 was spent on new construction by the board and £11,804 by the local authorities. Highways were maintained for 177 miles, at a cost of £28,480, of which amount £20,057 was found by the board and £8423 by the local authorities. The estimates for the year 1927-28 were discussed, and it was decided to apply for £56,000 for construction and £33.000 for maintenance, the local bodies concerned to find £19,500 and £BIOO respectively.