CONTROL BY STATE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19135, 2 October 1936, Page 8

CONTROL BY STATE

MAIN ARTERIAL ROADS

RELIEF FOR COUNTIES

MEASURE BEFORE HOUSE

(Pol Vress Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night

Provision for the classification of part of the present main highways system as Slate highways is made in the Main Highways Amendment Bill, which, was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day.

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 cost of construction, _ and the maintenance of State highways is to be paid out of the main highways account. However, works in excess of, or in addition to the standard prescribed, are not to be paid out of the account unless the board decides to pay either the whole or part of the additional cost. The liabilities of local authorities at the time of the classification of a State highway are not to bo affected unless the board decides to remit, or refund any contribution payable by the local body concerned. Under-the-existing! law, the board is liable for not less than onethird 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 decision of;the board in fixincr contributions to be made by local authorities toward the cost of any works on main highways, including decisions as to remissions or refunds in respect of State highways. 4000 MILES INVOLVED Under another clause, works of construction on main highways are not to be commenced without the previous consent of the Minister. Provision is also made for the appointment of a deputy-chaiman of the uoard, who is to he one of two Government members other than the chairman.

The Hon. R. Semple explained that the bill gave authority to the Government to take control, under the Main Highways Board, of 40CO miles of main arterial road. It had been found necessary to take authority, as they could not plan ahead without it. The taking over of the highways, said the Minister, would relieve the counties. Some of the, counties had played the game, but some had not; consequently there were gaps in the highways. Counties would be saved £BO,OOO to £IOO,OOO a year, and they would be under no liability for the future maintenance or construction of that 4000 miles of main highway. The bill would give counties that had played the game certain concessions. In some of these counties it would he necessary to mate still further improvements, and if it meant they would have to raise money, their indebtedness would grow, instead of diminishing, and under the bill they would he exempt from that, and the Highways Board would take over. The bill was read a first time.