HIGHWAYS BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21390, 18 July 1931, Page 12

HIGHWAYS BOARD

ACCOUNTS FOR PAST YEAR INCOME APPROACHES TWO MILLIONS. (Per United Press association.) WELLINGTON, July 16. Importations of motor spirits into the Dominion for the three months ended June 30 of this year were 15,500,000 gallons, or nearly 20 per cent, less than for the corresponding quarter of 1930, when, owing to the impending increase in the petrol tax, importations of spirits constituted a record for the June quarter. This year the tyre tax receipts were £22,135, compared with £29,300 for the corresponding period of last year. Motor registration- fees, except for vehicles placed in commission after that date, were due on May 31. The total collected under this head since April 1 was approximately £335,000, as against £397,000 for the whole of last financial year. This information was imparted by the chairman of the Main Highways Board, Mr F. W. Furkcrt, at a meeting of the board. The board’s accounts for 1930-31 showed, apart from borrowed money, a total income from all sources of £1,768,000, of which £300,000 was transferred to construction account, and £1,384,000 was spent from the revenue fund. This included £219,000 paid to local authorities for subsidies on rates. The net expenditure on construction was £711.000, of which 57 per cent, went to the North Island, and 43 per cent, to the South Island.