STATE HIGHWAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23001, 2 October 1936, Page 8

STATE HIGHWAYS

AMENDING LEGISLATION CLASSIFICATION OF SYSTEM POWERS OF THE BOARD (From Our Parliamentary Reporter' WELLINGTON, Oct. 1. The classification of part of the present main highways system as a State highway is provided for in the Main Highways Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House o f Representatives to-day. In genera] the Bill follows the lines of previous an; ouncements made by the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple, regarding the proposed State highways system. Under the terms of the Bill the Main Highways Board with the approval of the Minister- may classify any main highway or portion of a main highway as a State highway. The board is also given power to determine the standards of construction and maintenance for all main highways. The whole of the cost of construction and maintenance of State highways is to be paid out of the Main Highways Account. Works in excess of or in addition to the standard prescribed are not to be paid out of the account, however, unless the board deck ed to pay either the whole or part of the additional cost.

In addition the liabilities of local authorities at the time of the classification of a State highway are not to be affected unless the board decides to remit or refund any contribution payable by the local body concerned. Under the existing law the board ;S liable for not less than one-third of the cost of maintenance and not less than one-half of the cost of construction of all main highways.

Provision is made for appeals to the Minister from the decisions of the board fixing the contributions to be made by local authorities toward the cost of any works on the main highways, including decisions as to remissions or refunds in respect of State highways. The appeals must be made within one month of the announcement of the board’s decision, although the board is required to announce its decision as final before any appeal is permitted. Under another clause works of construction on the main highways are not to e commenced without the previous consent of the Minister, which may be granted subject to certain conditions. Construction work is defined in the Bill as including reconstruction and other improvements other than maintenance, which is also defined to embrace repairs. The clause does not restrict the board’s power to sanction works of maintenance. Provision is also made for the appointment of a deputy chairman of the board who is to be one of the two Government members other than the chairman.