UPKEEP OF ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 11

UPKEEP OF ROADS.

ASSISTING LOCAL BODIES.

INCREASE IN THE SUBSIDY.

HIGHWAYS BOARD DECISION.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PSESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLDv GTON, Saturday.

The financial position of local authorities will be assisted materially by the decision of the Main Highways Board to increase the maintenance subsidy on roads. Following a conference with Mr. F. W. Furkert, chaii rp.-in of the board, the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, stated that the hoard would increase its maintenance subsidy to £3 to £l, compared with the present subsidy of £2 to £l. This decision had been on account of the difficulties of local bodies in collecting rates, and the realisation that roads must not be allowed to go back. The financial shortage had meant that local authorities had been unable to make their usual contributions toward maintenance, this resulting in a decreased subsidy from the board, which based its subsidies on local contributions. One compensating feature was the obvious decrease in petrol consumption, indicating less wear on the roads. Nevertheless, it was essential to keep up the maintenance standard by increasing the board's subsidy as indicated. There were special eases where the subsidy had been £3 to £l, or even £4 to £l, and in all such special cases the proportion would be increased in line with the general subsidy increase.