MAIN ROAD CONTROL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16495, 4 August 1921, Page 8

MAIN ROAD CONTROL.

j FORMATION OF BOARDS. ' . PROPOSALS DISCUSSED, Control, construction and improvement of arterial and main roads were discussed at a conference of representatives of feoutli Island local bodies and i automobile associations held in Ciirist- . church to-day. Mr F. YY. Johnston, president of the South Island Motor Union, occupied the chair. The delegates present included: — Messrs 11. Halliday, P. Breen, A. C. M’George (Otago xVxotor Club), Hale and Fitzpatrick (Ivowai < "ounty Council), Tyler (Rangiora Borough Council), Ritchie, Black (Vincent County Council), G. L. Rutherford (Cheviot County Council), A. E. "Williams (Mount Herbert County Council), R. J. M’Keown (Levels County Council), J- B. Merrett (Pioneer Motor Club), \V. L. Hinson (South Canterbury), It. Macartney (Halswell County Council), A. E. Ansel l (Green Island), It. "YV. Loch head, N. M. Orbell, B. Falck, J. S. Hawkes (Canterbury Automobile Association), YY'. W. Baxter (South Canterbury Automobile Association), J. A. Flesher (Christchurch City Council), M. J. Miller (Lyttelton Borough Council), G. Armstrong (Alcaroa Borough Council) and O’Halloran (Ashley County Council). Mr Johnston said that the object of the conference was to have a roundthe table discussion instead of passing formal resolutions. It was regretted that copies of the Main Highways Bill and the Motor Bill were not available, but at the same time members were aware of some of the main features of both measures. The principal proposal was to construct an arterial road running right through from north to south. Another was that there should be a tax on tyres, which was expected to yield between £200,000 and £300,000. The conference would have to decide what other moneys were rei quired. Local bodies might contribute a similar amount, and the Government, of course, would pay subsidies. Would the total meet the cost of construction and maintenance? and, if it did not, would it be necessary to raise a loan or to call for higher contributions? The motor unions suggested that, in additioh to Government representatives, the Road Boards in each instance should include two representatives of the Counties Association and two representatives of the Motor Union. One of the questions not to be lost sight of was the upkeep of the main road when it passed through a city. Who was to be responsible ? Motorists suggested that the city authority should take charge within their boundary, and that the Road Boards should hare full control in the country. NEED FOR EXPERTS. Mr A. E. Ansell (Otago Motor Club), said that it was imperative that experts should be at the head of the road boards, special road engineers. There was no necessity to waste large sums of money, and the responsibility for saying what work should be done must not rest with a layman. He moved that the conference should approve of the formation of two road boards, ono for each island. « Mr H. Halliday Otago) seconded the motion. Mr M. J. Miller (Lytteton) said thatin .the interests of fair play the South Island must have a separate road board. Mr Ritchie (Vincent County Council) suggested that provision should be made for the representation of small borough councils on the road boards. Mr Ansell said that borough councils would have representation under the heading “ local bodies.” Mr R. Macartney (Halswell County Council) said that the Minister had hinted that he was not averse to more than ono road board in each island, intimating that it was proposed to work in with county councils and to give those bodies the benefit of expert advice. The motion recommending that there should be a separate road board for the South Island was carried unanimously. In an address to the conference on highway engineering, Mr L. M. Sandston said that the problem in New Zealand would have to be tackled as a whole, with proper provision from di- i rect taxation for maintenance. The i boards should include at least one ex- I pert, or there could be an advisory j committee of engineers, leaving the j executive board to include representstires of interested bodies. In America I money for construction often came from j the Consolidated Fund or from bond j raising. It would be advisable to set up a commission to ascertain financial wants before final proposals were drawn up. A resolution to the effect that conference should leave the constitution of the Dominion Board to the Government, was carried. It was considered that the personnel of the South Island Roads Board should consist of an engineer-in-charge and representatives of Canterbury local bodies and of motor unions. It was also decided that the work should proceed simultaneously in each island. As regards the functions of the board it was decided that the conference was of the opinion that the carrying out. of the work on the main roads should bo in the hands of the local bodies under the supervision of the Road Board set up, and that the conference suggests that the Minister take into favourable consideration the position of boroughs in relation to the board, as to whether they .should receive assistance or come under the Act. On the next subject, “ the allocation of funds derived from tbe suggested tax on motor tyres,” the chairman suggested that the allocation of the tax should be in accordance with the number of motor vehicles of all classes registered in each island. It was decided that until some better method is devised the allocation between the North and the South Island should be based on the number ] of motor vehicles registered in each island. (Proceeding.)