ROADS AND BRIDGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18465, 28 January 1922, Page 6

ROADS AND BRIDGES

POLICY OF FUTURE APPROPRIATIONS. The Minister of Public Works said in the course of his annual statement laid on the table of the House of Representatives yesterday:— The sum provided on the estimates last, year for road and bridge construction and maintenance was greater than that of any previous year since the inauguration of the public works policy. The expenditure also constituted a record. The efforts of the department have been directed mainly in providing primary access to lands already m occupation, but the improvement, widening, and metalling _of existing access roads, and the construction and renewal of bridges, have not been neglected. The greater part of tho work has been undertaken by my own staff, but subsidised works, such aa metalling, renewal ot bridges, etc.,. were in most cases entrusted to the local bodies concerned. / A certain amount of modem roadmalting plant has been purchased and used with successful results. Tho use of motor lorries has cheapened the cost of haulage of metal steam-shovels, have been installed where the magnitude •of tho wont warranted, and oil-driven road-rollera are being used in connection with metalling operations, . In the prosecution of the various activities connected with, roods and bridges it is.desired to utilise to the utmost all plant and machinery suitable for that purpose, whether the property of the department or of the load authorities, so that all efforts may be co-ordinated towards_ the adoption of methods that would contribute towards efficiency, economy, and expedition in tho carrying-out of works. It has bpen recognised that whore - there are .at present no" railway facilities, nor any likely to be in the early future, it is reasonable to provide suitable roads so as to compensate as far as possible for such disabilities. In accordance with this principle particular attention has been directed to the,, energetic prosecution of work in the formation, metalling, and bridging of such important road connections as those between Napier and Gisborne, and between To Kuiti and Waltara. It is proposed that in future the appropriations for roods and bridges be based on an automatic system whereby those districts that ore in reading and in development shall receive a greater proportion of the amounts available than will other districts that arc already well roaded and well developer!. The basis for adjustment will include such factors as mileage of roads unopened, areas of Crown and Native. lam] undeveloped, areaj of disproductivity, loans, and mileage of roads still requiring improvement. Efforts have been made and will be perfected whereby local authorities will be brought into closer touch with local public works representatives. For instance, distinct -and resident engineers will have the advantage of discussing proposed allocations direct with local aulhoritios. ’ihis, it is hoped, will bring about better underi standing and combined purpose and effort.