DISTRICT HIGHWAYS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18541, 11 April 1930, Page 7

DISTRICT HIGHWAYS.

MEETING OF No. 15 COUNCIL. REQUESTS FOR HIGWAY EXTENSIONS. A meeting of No. 15 District Highways Council was held in Timaru yesterday. Present: —Messrs F. Langbein (chairman), T. B. Garrick (Levels County), J. Bitchener, M.P. (Waimate County), T. Smith (Mackenzie County), T. A. Munro (Waitaki County), K. Mackenzie (Geraldine County), and W. T. Lill (Ashburton County). Mr C. J. Talbot (South Island representative of the Main Highways Board), and Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., were also present. The chairman said that the main object of the meeting that day was to consider requests for additional highways for Submission to the Main Highways Board. Mr Mackenzie: “What about submitting last year’s requests again?” The chairman: “There were so many made that I doubt if the Board would consider them.”

Mr Talbot said that the Board hoped that there would not be very many requests made, for their finances were not very assured. Alterations in highways were required from time to time, however, and that was why meetings were being held. It was hoped that District Highways Councils would consider the position seriously. He knew that some requests would be made, and if they were deserving ones, they would be considered.

Mr Bitchener said that an additional 2000 miles of highways had been applied for, but only five miles had been granted in the whole Dominion. Under the circumstances, he did not think they could go very far that day. Mr Lill said that he was sorry to hear what Mr Talbot had said. He was just wondering whether it would be safe for him to go home. (Laughter).

A member: “We will have to keep you here, then.” Continuing, Mr Lill said that the Ashburton County had a lower percentage than any other County in the Group. His Council had fully discussed the position, and had been emphatic that additional highways were necessary. If they could not get them, then he did not know what they would do. Some of the roads in his County carried ten per cent, more traffic than the main highways, and some relief was essential. They had certain roads which members of the Council knew nothing of. There were eight Road Boards in the County, and some assistance w r ould have to be obtained. If the Council decided not to do anything in the matter, he was sure his County would make application to the Board, whether they got anything or not. The percentage of metalled roads in his County was 16, whereas Waitaki County had 40 per cent.

Mr Cutlibertson (engineer to the Waitaki County Council): “No, not by a long way.” Mr Lill: “Well, the figures were taken from the Local Bodies Handbook. If the figures there are incorrect, then we cannot be blamed.” Mr Talbot said that he thought Mr Bitchener had taken his remarks too literally. A circular which had been issued by the Board hinted that the Board would consider a limited number of applications. The Highways Board figures were different from those obtained by Mr Lill, and the Board’s figures showed a small margin of difference in the percentage, for the Board took into consideration all roads, including dirt roads, which had to be maintained. When the applications were before the Board, they had endeavoured to bring all counties to a Dominion average of about 22 or 23 per cent. There were some which were down to 15 or 16 per cent., and some above 23 per cent., but as far as possible they had endeavoured to strike an average. Mr Smith said that he thought they would be justified in asking for some extensions. He intended to ask for 12 miles of the Clayton road, from the junction of the Geraldine-Fairlie main road, which served upwards of 100,000 acres, including Government settlements. The road was the heaviest taxed road in the County, outside the main road.

Mr Garrick said that the Levels County would be very modest in their requests, which were for two miles from the Point town boundary to the corner of Howell’s Plantation road, and 65 chains from the Hotel to the Levels boundary. Mr Mackenzie supported Mr Garrick’s application. Continuing, he said that he thought that, considering the times, and the state of the Board’s finances, counties should make their requests as small as possible, and he

did not intend to apply for any additional highways for his County this year. Speaking for the Waimate County, Mr Bitchener said that several requests had been made last year. So far as they were concerned, they had some ridings which were not touched by secondary highways, and they would like to see them included. Their requests last year were heavy, but they were all short lengths, which carried a tremendous amount of traffic. If any highways were going to be granted, he was going to press for 14 miles. The first was 11 miles from Wright’s corner to the Deep Creek bridge in the Hakataramea riding, and the second was 3 miles from St. Andrews to Bluecliffs corner. Mr Munro said that he was in an awkward position, so far as Waitaki County was concerned, for they were asking for a separation. A member: “Not divorce.” (Laughter). Mr Bitchener: "You still want maintenance, though.” Mr Munro said that he would apply for seven miles of road from the Oamaru side of the Waitaki bridge up to where it joined the main road again at Peebles. The chairman: “Now, Mr Lill, what about Ashburton?” Mr Lill: “Am I to take what is left?” (Laughter). The chairman: “Other members have given you a lead.” Mr Lill said that there were hundreds of miles of roads in the County, some of which were not even formed, and were not likely to be for the next fifty years. His first request would be for 12 miles of road, commencing at Winchmore and running up the Lauriston road to Barr Hill. The next was 17 miles from the Tinwald railway station to the Mayfield bridge, which was the shortest road to Mayfield by miles. The third was from the Chert- | sey Hotel to Kyle, which carried all the traffic from the sea, a distance of i 11 miles, The fourth request was for 12 miles from Tinwald to Waterton; [ the fifth was seven miles from the river road to the huts at Hakatere; the sixth was 11 miles from Barr Hill , to the main Methven road; and the seventh was seven miles at the Rangi- . tata end of the Maronan road, from Lismore to Carew. Mr Lill said that , he had more requests, but as some of ' them would have to come out, he L would not ask for them. ; The chairman said that the total ■ requests from Ashburton were 77 • miles.

Mr Lill: “I was going to ask for 93 miles.”

Mr Mackenzie suggested that Mr Lill should cut his applications down a bit. The total now being asked for was 125 miles, and as there were 20 groups in the Dominion, and they all asked for the same, then the Board would have to consider 2500 miles, which was hopeless. The chairman said that the capital value of the Ashburton County was about one-third of that of the whole Group, and if they asked for onethird of the allocations, it would be quite fair. Mr Smith agreed to reduce the length on the Clayton road to eight miles. The chairman said that it did not appear to him to be reasonable for Ashburton to ask for more than two of its roads. Apparently Ashburton considered they had not got justice in the past. Mr Lill: “That is the point.” Mr Talbot: "The Road Boards are the stumbling blocks.” Mr Lill: “I would like to see them wiped out.” Members: “Hear, hfß\”

The chairman: “Other Counties have trimmed their requests down to 25 miles, so it is up to Ashburton to come down.” Mr Burnett: “Which road carries the most traffic—Waterton?” Mr Lill: “i can’t touch that. It is m my riding.” (Laughter).

The chairman said that it was interesting to note the maintenance costs in the various Counties in view of the suggestion that Ashburton had not had its just dues in the past. Last year, by way of subsidy, Ashburton received £12,017, Geraldine £14,000 (of which £lo,ooo was for paving), Levels £5,200, Mackenzie £5,500, Waimate £4,500, and Waitaki £7,700, so that it did not appear that Ashburton had been so badly treated. Mr Mackenzie moved that the Council agrees to submit, for the approval of the Main Highways Board, the following extensions:—Mackenzie County eight miles; Levels two miles; Geraldine none; Waimate eight; Waitaki seven; Ashburton twenty. Mr Lill said that he was prepared to accept 24 miles. He could then put six miles on to each of four roads, which were equally deserving. He moved in this direction. There was no seconder to either Mi Mackenzie’s or Mr Lill’s motions. Mr Garrick moved, and Mr , Bitchener seconded that Ashburton be I allocated twelve miles, the motion beI ing carried.

Mr Lill said that he was very disappointed. He would fight the matter with the Board, and there would be no peace on earth, or anywhere else. (Laughter). Mr Mackenzie: “I hope there will be goodwill.”

The chairman said that they would probably be asked to say which of the extensions should take preference. Mr Talbot suggested that the Levels application should be placed first, because the two miles asked for were an anomaly at present. They were the missing link on a highway which went right through the country. Mr Mackenzie moved, and Mr Smith seconded, that this stretch be recommended to the Board for approval, the motion being carried. On the motion of Mr Bitchener, seconded by Mr Munro, the Council decided not to show further preference to the claims made.