CANCELLATION OF ROAD VOTES

Southland Times, Issue 24153, 15 June 1940, Page 9

CANCELLATION OF ROAD VOTES

URGENT WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN Advice of the cancellation of the grants of subsidies on road work undertaken by the Southland County Council was received by the council at its meeting yesterday. “It will be necessary to conserve this year’s funds under the roads vote so that the moneys available can be applied to works of the most urgent nature, having regard to settlement needs and the desire of the Government to increase primary production,” wrote the district public works engineer (Mr W. G. Pearce). “To take fullest advantage of funds available for the present year all monetary authorities held by the council and against which the council has commitments are cancelled.”

The letter added that any authority cancelled would be subject to reissue if the particular work was regarded as urgent and necessary, having regard to war conditions and the need for increasing primary production. In considering items for the Public Works estimates for the year works which would assist in or increase primary production would take precedence, grants or subsidies could not be provided for other works unless on the grounds of special urgency. The engineer of the council (Mr G. R. Milward) reported that all authorities held by the council had been acted upon and the work put in hand with the exception of the following:—Titipua Valley road, Copeland road (Waimumu), Waimumu drainage channel and Waimea stream drainage (Black recommendation that the council apply for the re-issue of authorities for the Waimumu drainage channel and the Waimea stream drainage was adopted. “The other two road votes can hardy be considered as having a bearing on increased production,” added Mr Milward. Cr James McNeill said that the council should do its part and cut down expenses during the war. He contended that all new work should be stopped until after the war.