BETTER ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 19291, 9 July 1924, Page 5

BETTER ROADS

MUNICIPAL PROPOSALS INVERCARGILL THE FORTHCOMING LOAN. The lessons learnt during the -war period when an unprecedented number of heavy motor vehicles travelled about the different countries in the theatre of operations at high speed tearing up the roads which had only been built for horse traffic, are slowly but surely being grasped in this Dominion, where the motor traffic is continually increasing, with the result that many local bodies ’are now engaged on a progressive reading policy in the confines of their territory in order to facilitate traffic and to keep down to a minimum this ever increasing item of expenditure. Such a policy is about to be attempted by the Invercargill Town Council. The proposed scheme, as outlined in the exhaustive and instructive report, recently placed before the Council by the Town Engineer (Mr T. O. Fox) has already received a good deal of publicity. PROGRESSIVE PROPOSAL. Like other growing and progressive centres of population in the Dominion, Invercargill's burden in regard to the upkeep and maintenance of the city streets has become a matter of serious concern to the City Fathers with the result that the expenditure on the roads has become a fairly substantial one with but little to show in the way of improvement to the thoroughfares for ordinary vehicular and motor traffic. Even a casual glance is sufficient to prove to the observant resident, as well aa the visitor from other parts, that at the present time the greatest need is for a policy of street improvement and the wisdom of the authorities in formulating a definite policy on these lines is creating a great deal of interest, not only in business circles, but in the mind of the private citizen as well. Many people have openly expressed the opinion that the proposal for which the Council desires to receive the sanction of the ratepayers to raise a loan of £74,000 for expenditure on city street improvement, is one of the most progressive steps taken in the history of the town while others again object to the loan on account of no provision being made for attending to the streets in the outlying suburbs. Such an opinion, if generally held, is a very parochial one and will require the persuasive powers of the Mayor and Councillors during the forthcoming series of addresses to convince those holding such opinions that is inimical to the interests of the town. It is for the purpose of putting the full facts before the ratepayers that the series of addresses will be given in the different parts of the town by the Mayor and Councillors, so that every ratepayer may be fully aware of the real facts and also afforded some proof that the proposals are economically sound. COST OF THE SCHEME. In the course of his recent report to th< Council, the Town Engineer suggested that the sum of £74,000 should be raised, th* to include the cost of raising the loan plus the first year’s interest and sinking fund, the annual charges running into approximately £5lBO. The Engineer further suggested that the main thoroughfares should receive 40 per cent of the total moneys available for road maintenance on which last year the amount spent reached a total of £10,252. Assuming* that at least a similar amount would be available in future years 40 per cent of this would amount to £4lOO. In addition, the Corporation would be saved the cost of continually making up the roadway along the tramway tracks as drivers of vehicles would no longer endeavour to travel on the rails when the whole of the road was provided with a smooth surface. Such a saving would amount to £4OO, while street.watering would also be unnecessary, a service which during 1923-24 cost £464. Thus the extra cost of paving 7 miles of streets would amount to but £216 per annum which is a very small item compared with the prevailing heavy expenditure and the somewhat unsatisfactory results obtain, ed by the present methods.

THE ROADING PROPOSAL. PUBLICITY DESIRED. ACTION BY THE COUNCIL. ‘1 must admit that I am not at afl satisfied with the publicity that is being given to the loan pru(>osals for streel improvement,” said Councillor Glass at the Council meeting last evening. “It is a serious matter to ask the ratepayers,” ho continued” to put their signatures to a loan for £74,000, esi>cciaUy when there are a large number who seem to be quite hazy about the Council’s proposals. Personally I think we ought to take further steps to ensure the loan being carried and in that connection I would suggest that the Council allocate the sum of £lOO for the purpose of giving publicity to the loan, and showing the reasons for the loan from an economical point of view. We are two much inclined at times to convince ourselves that the proposition is a good one and if we convince our next door neighbour also we take it for granted that all is well. However, we know from past experience—regrettable experience—that there are quite a number of old die hards who will vote against any proposal brought forward by the Council solely because they consider an increase in the rates will fallow, and no matter whether the weather be wet or fine they will turn out religiously and vote against the proposal. We want to guard against that and to give the public the full facts in short pithy sentences showing the reasons why ttte loan should be carried. The position warrants every Councillor putting his weight towards the Mayor's heavy burden during the approaching campaign prior to the poll so that fhe proposals may be carried. I would therefore move that the Finance Committee be empowered to spend the sum of £lOO for publicity work in connection with the loan.” Councillor Farrant in seconding the motion said he was convinced that it Mas necessary to get some further publicity. Councillor Meek said Councillor Glass’s suggestion was a good one but if necessary they should go further and seek the co-operation of other organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the league and the Motor Association. Councillor Miller expressed surprise at the matter being introduced at such a late stage. All the publicity possible was needed, however, and he had no objections to the sum named being spent in the direction proposed. Councillor Macalister, in rapporting the proposal, suggested that a small committee should be set up to deal with the matter. The Council decided to adopt Councillor Glass’s suggestion and appointed Councilloni Glass, Farrant and Macalister to carry out the necessary work.