ROAD MAINTENANCE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 30, Issue 16, 26 February 1918, Page 6

ROAD MAINTENANCE.

In his address at the annual session of the Now Zealand Society of Engineers Mr J. Blair Mason, the retiring president, had something to say on the question of road maintenance. A strong, public opinion is, ho said, growing that some different method of road control, also of the construction of tho main roads to meet the propelled traffic is necessary. In France, Italy, Germany and England special road governing bodies have been constructed. In ■ America there is the Federal Board of Road inquiry controlled by men possessing special knowledge, who in conjunction with the Highway Boards or commissions of tho various States, determine the appointment of the cost of approved roads, part of which is borne by the State and part by the municipality. Landowners in some cases are called upon to contribute. There does not seem 'to be'in the States any system in carrying out the instructions. In some States the municipalities are required to do the work, in others tho State supervises; sometimes it is by agreement.

In the Commonwealth the State of Victoria passed an Act called the Country Eoads Act, 1912, to inaugurate and carry out a better system than that previously obtaining in the State for the construction and maintenance of

the principal highways and developmental roads. The Act constitutes a board of three members., The Government have placed to the credit of the board the sum pi £2,000,000 to be expended over a period of five years in the construction of such roads as the board considers to be of sufficient importance to be main roads and also with funds to maintain. roads to a standard suitable for the traffic they are required to cany. The board, save in special cases, relegate the work oi construction to the shires and municipalities who have to do the work to the board’s satisfaction., Splendid results have followed the operations of the board, .and the State now can boast of main roads equal to all modern demands of traffic. Transport has been made generally easier, and the settlement of the backblocks encouraged.