MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3869, 8 May 1928, Page 67

MAIN HIGHWAYS BOARD

SUBSIDIES GRANTED. "f WELLINGTON, May 3. Recently the members of the Main Highway’s Board went on a tour of inspection of the northern portion of the South Island, and at a meeting held on Wednesday and to-day, presided over by Mr A. E. Jull, in the absence of Mr F. AV. Furkert, the board considered questions relating to the results of that inspection, and came to decisions in terms of the following official statement: — “ With one or two exceptions the board, completed its review of the roads recommended by District Highway Councns for declaration as subsidiary highways. Following upon the poilev which has been inaugurated as a result of the passing of the" Motor Spirits Taxation Act last year, 2750 additional miles of road were declared to be main highways, and at the meeting just concluded the board selected a further 790 miles for declaration, making the total of subsidiary highways 3540 miles. It is hoped to take immediate steps for declaration of these roads.” .. “ It will be recalled that a certain proportion of the petrol tax is to be allocated for the purpose of paying subsidies up to £3 for £1 towards the cost of constructing better-class pavements on the main highways adjacent to the centres of population with over 6000 inhabitants. Already the' board has approved the payment of £3 for £1 subsidies on several proposals throughout the country, notably the construction in concrete of* a length of approximately six miles in the vicinity of Christchurch and four miles between Napier and Hastings. At the meeting just concluded the board agreed to the payment of a subsidy of £3 for £1 for reconstruction and bituminous surfacing of the Auckland-Wellington main highway between Kai Iwi and Turakina, adjacent to Wanganui. “At a conference between the Main Highways Board and the Canterbury Progress League, held in Christchurch on May 1, a report which had been prepared by the Progress League on behalf of various local authorities, and in collaboration with the Canterbury- Automobile Association, was submitted, with a schedule of main highways near Christchurch for immwiiate reconstruction and paving. The schedule covers a seven-years’ programme and includes approximately 80 miles of main highway with the exception of what is known as “ Page’s Road.” The board has decided to offer a subsidy of £3 for £1 towards the cost of reconstruction. The main highways included in the schedule of works proposed for the first year run for approximately 21 miles, and the board is requesting the local authorities concerned to submit suitable proposals, so that the whole of the work can, if possible, be put in hand during the next construction season. Several other matters were brought forward by the Progress League, but the board is taking time to consider these before making.any further decisions.” “ In regard to the improvement of the roads adjacent to Dunedin city the scheme applies to the Waikouaiti and Taieri County Councils, but neither county council is yet prepared to adopt the board’s proposals. Certain alterations have now been made in the proposed scheme, and these are being forwarded immediately to the county councils concerned.” “ The board is taking steps to promulgate schemes of improvement around the other larger centres of’population.” “ When the board was in Nelson it took the opportunity of discussing the matter of improvement of the main highway from Nelson to Blenheim, between what is known as the Lud river on the Nelson end and the Rai Saddle, which is the boundary between the Waimea and Marlborough counties. The board has decided to offer a subsidy of /5 for £1 to the Waimea County Council towards the cost of widening and general improvements on this section, and as soon as acceptance of this offer is indicated by the Waimea County Council steps will be taken to have the work put in hand." “In the case of what is known as Norris’s Gully deviation on the main road from Nelson to Westport the board is immediately having surveys and plans put in hand in connection with the erection of two bridges over the stream which at present holds up motorists in flood times. The board has decided to investigate the question, of widening different sections of the Buller Gorge road with a view mainly of providing suitable passing places for vehicles. At the present time this road is very narrow, and it is difficult at times for motorists to pass one another in safety.” The next meeting of the board has been fixed for May 17.