MODERN ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 25312, 15 June 1935, Page 8

MODERN ROADS

CONSTRUCTION URGED . V ' ’ ’ : —~ .. COMMERCIAL. VEHICLE OWNERS / REQUEST TO COUNCIL 9 ; Modernized roads and the desirability of their construction were subjects raised by a deputation representing the commercial motor vehicle owners which waited on the Southland County Council yesterday. The deputation stressed the advantages accruing from such a step, but members of the council raised the obstacle of the attendant financial question and a discussion in the nature of a round-table conference followed. The members of the deputation were Messrs B. H. Ayling, G. Hewton and J. A. Beck. Mr Ayling said the matter had gone further ahead in other parts of New Zealand and it was felt that Southland had been neglected. The deputation was there to ask the council to take some action, either alone or in conjunction with them. Mr Hewton said the deputation was there to ask for information. Mr Beck said it was felt that the lorry owners were not getting a return for the money they paid in taxes. As it was the buses were avoiding the highways and going down by-roads. If the roads between the provincial centres were sealed they would be used and maintenance on the other roads saved. The dust nuisance in summer time was a menace to safety. They thought the council was talking on right lines in discussing concrete roads. Biturrien roads were not altogether satisfactory. The surface was not altogether good and there was a danger in wet_ weather. Financial Position.

The county chairman (Mr T. Golden) said the council was in favour of modernized roads, but it was a question of finance. The Gore-Mataura bituminized stretch had cost £5OO a mile. The ratepayers could not be saddled any more. Unfortunately the counties did not get all that the users paid, but the depression was lifting and the money previously taken might be returned to the highways fund. Until the Highways Board offered a subsidy of £8 or £9 for £1 he did not think anything would be done. He thought the user might be prepared to pay a little more for a good road, which would cut down his'upkeep a third. The council was in favour of the user paying, but it was a matter of the Highways Board subsidy. Councillor W. M. Norman said it would be all right if the money paid in Southland came back. The Highways Board was overdrawn by £510,000 in its construction account. The Government had taken the money originally and then loaned it back at interest. This was''election year and the Automobile Association could do much in seeing that Southland got a fair deal. At present the Main Highways Board would only give a subsidy of £3 or £4 for £l, but a subsidy of at least £6 for £1 was required.

Councillor J. McNeill said the cost of cement for concrete roads was prohibitive, although the other material was available. The council was looking for cheaper cement. Councillor F. F. Trapski asked if the deputation would be in favour of a nine-foot track, say to Gore, and Mr Beck replied in the affirmative.

Mr Beck remarked that the motor industry was not only here to stay, but to increase.

Councillor L. A. Niederer said there was much to recommend the concrete road. In America the system of laying down a strip in the middle of the road had been tried successfully the full width being laid down later as traffic warranted the step. Last year 3000 tons of cement had been imported into Southland, and the council had been thinking a great deal about concrete roads. A farm of 100 acres at Edendale, for instance, had a charge of eight shillings an acre with all the rates and he did not think the rates could be raised. There were 1500 miles of gravel roads in the county to be kept up and that was quite a liability. In Southland were all the ingredients for concrete roads, except the reinforcing, which would have to be imported. Mr Hewton’s Charges. Mr Hewton said he paid £1145 a year in petrol tax and £202 in heavy traffic fees. He found that he was paying 27 per cent, of the cost of the maintenance of the road to Riverton with two services and 9 per cent, of the cost of the road from Riverton to Tuatapere with one service. Councillor G. A. Wraytt said the council had spent £9OOO on new plant to maintain the roads and the benefit of that step would be felt. Councillor G. W. Whittingham said he was a supporter of concrete roads. The council was up against the matter of finance. Mr Golden said he thought there was no danger of the bus services being eliminated. The buses had been one of the greatest boons country people had ever received. He did not think the Transport Co-Ordination Board would go any. further; if it did it would be unpopular. Mr Beck asked if it would be economical to raise a loan, assuming that the petrol tax would pay the interest and sinking fund. He mentioned that in connection with concrete roads, because they had a long life and repayment would be spread over a long term. Councillor Wraytt replied that the petrol tax was not sufficiently stable for loan purposes. Mr Golden said the suggestion was the only solution of the difficulty. A loan could be State guaranteed through the Main Highways Board. After returning thanks the deputation withdrew.