A ROAD PROBLEM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16725, 28 April 1920, Page 8

A ROAD PROBLEM.

'POLL-GATE OR SUBSIDIES? HEAVY TRAFFIC AND NO MONEY. The 'Wanganui anti Rangitikci counties are faced with a problem in road maintenance for the main, north road between the towns of Wanganui and Bulls, a length of only t’S miles of road. It is what is properly known as a “main Arterial road,’’ and it carries much more than its fair share of traffic oven for such a road. Time was whoa the hulk of the goods and passenger traffic went by the more, circuitous route hy rail, hut in these days of fast«motor transit a groat deal of both passenger and goods traffic is going by the shorter road route. The result of this has been that while it is no doubt. a good thing for the district, it has made for the local bodies concerned a problem in .mad maintenance for which under present conditions there does not seem to he a solution. The road has been worn out, and to build a road which will carry the traffic without enormous costs for maintenance will cost a sum of money which the finances of the local bodies arc quite unable to meet. A big capital expenditure will be necessary, and a smaller sum in annual expenditure, for the construction of a tar-sealed or concrete road—probably the former. Tho local bodies are anxious to give their people a decent road service, but without an incoma they see no way of doing it. All these things and many more wore submitted to tho new Minister of Public Works (Mr. Coates) hy a deputation from the two counties on Friday morning. Tho deputation was introduced by Air. W. Glenn, M P., and the principal speakers were Mr. A. Robinson, chairman of the Wanganui county, and Mr. Lethbridge, chairman of Hangitikei county. They pointed out to the Minister that it was not possible to maintain this road in a proper condition on their present income, and as ways out of the difficulties they made two suggestions to the Minister. First of all, they asked for permission to erect a toll, gate on tho. road. They pointed out tlipt this would ho an equitable way of collecting a considerable Sum in revenue, although they all said that they did not like tolls on highways. But the traffic on the road was enormous, averaging some 140 motor vehicles per day, some of them big wagons with loads of five tons. This toll-gate would provide for their special case, and give them sufficient revenue — about £3OOO per year—to keep the road. But they asked the Minister in preference for an increased Government subsidy, at the rate of 10s in tho pound on all rates collected. They pointed out that the'-present system of distributing moneyfby Government subsidies was inequitable, and they asked the Minister to bring down legislation of general application. The Minister, in .reply, said that in regard to the toll-gate proposal he would reopen the whole matter, and go into it anew, Afore than that he was unable to promise at once. As to the bigger matter affecting the Government policy in regard to subsidies while he would not otherwise be averse to giving his own opinions on the matter, the subject was one for consideration by tho Government, and would have to be announced as a matter of Government policy. He would say, however, that the Department were -preparing schemes in connection with the main arterial roads, and these schemes were being drafted at the instigation of the ■ Minister. These schemes would probably be the basis of future legislation, for the Government must have data before embarking on new schemes of local body finance. Ho agreed that .the main arterial road question was one that would liave to be faced by the Government, and solved if possible. He did not agree, however, that it would be a full solution of the business to give a subsidy of 10s in the pound to all counties. It would mean in the case of some big apd wealthy counties that they would bo able to reduce rates, and in the case of some backblocks counties, having territory in a state of development, it would mean that they would be in a position worse than their present state. Some method of classification of counties would be necessary. .The proposals of the Counties’ Conference were, being considered, and ho believed that they would bo valuable to the Government. But ho said that the determination of which were to bo considered main roads would have to be very carefully made before the Government could embark on any amended scheme of finance, for it would bo necessary for the Government to know what their financial obligations were likely to be.