A PROGRESSIVE COUNTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 12

A PROGRESSIVE COUNTY.

THE HAURAKI PLAINS. WORK ON ROADS AND BRIDGES. [By TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] .NGATEA, Fridny. 1 he progress in the roading and bridging of the Hauraki Plains County during the past three years was commented on at a meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council yesterday by Mr. E. L. Walton, chairman. " In the past three years," said Mr. Walton, " this council has metalled 34 miles of new roads and bituminised six miles of new roads. Twenty-six miles of main highways have been reconditioned and brought up to standard, and 22 miles of county roads have also been reconditioned. The council has tho right to claim that this is one of the best-roaded counties in the provinco. " In addition, two major bridges have been constructed at Kopu and Waitakaruru, two fresh-water supply schemes installed, at Hauraki Plains West and Pekapeka, two ferries, at Pipiroa and Ngarua, and two houses erected, for the engineer and inspector. " In the past three years the council has distributed, by way of Government loans, subsidies, rates, interest, etc., the sum of £255,000. In the same period receipts amounted to £242,000. This does not necessarily mean that we have overspent our income, as allowance must be made for certain adjustments of balances. A sum of £26,000, representing rate revenue, has been expended, to which must bo added £26,500 received by way of main highway subsidies." The sum of £20,000 had been received in straight-out grants, £lll,OOO in loan moneys, and £21,500 in subsidies on loans. A sum of £IO,OOO was yet to come for incompleted works. These figures should give an indication of the magnitude of the business conducted by tho council.