ROAD MAINTENANCE

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160724, 10 August 1920, Page 2

ROAD MAINTENANCE

COST STEADILY RISING. LOCAL BODIES’ PROBLEMS. Local governing - authorities just now are on the horns of a dilemma; on one hand the cost of maintenance and road work is increasing by leaps and bounds, while on the other they are reluctant to strike greatly increased rates, in order to meet the rising expenditure. At yesterday’s meeting of the Patea County Council, the Engineer submitted a statement showing how the cost of maintenance to the County Council had increased during the last four years; The average increases per surfaceman in wages was about £SO per annum, plus the extra cost of tools, etc; This affected the ridings somewhat as follows: —■ Otoia Riding (three surfacemen), ,£150; Waverley Riding (five surfacemen), £250; Moumahaki Riding (five surfacemen), £250; Kapara Riding (eight surfacemen), £4OO. The Otoia Riding showed a decrease in surfaceman costs since 1916, chiefly due to the small length oi back-block roads maintained, and to the large amount of grading done in this district the last four years. The .maintenance costs of the Waverley and Moumahaki Ridings, compared with August, 1916, had increased by over £3OO per annum in each riding, that was taking the probable cost of W averley under the Road Boards; and the Kapara Riding had increased by nearly £6OO per annum. The maintenance of the Main Road had also increased very Considerably, and therefore loss money was available for new work each year. Materials and tools had also increased, as the following figures showed:' —Metal from Lower Hutt costs 3s per yard above 1916 price; iv.etri from Aramoho costs 3s 9d per yard Above 1916 price; ironbark timber, per lOCrt., from 36s to 765; rimu timber, per 100 f t, from 183 to 335; totara timber, from 3% 6d to 455; wire, from 14s per cwt. V' 60s; jarrah timber, per 100 ft., from 2s? to 755; coal, per ton, from 29s 6d to 4b> 1 chaff, from ■£6 10s per ton to £l3; shovels, from 4s to 12s 6d; handles, from Is 2d to 2s 8d or more; picks, from 3& Gd to 7s 6d each; handles, from Is 2d to 2s 8d; blasting powder, from Is to 2s; drainpipes, about 50 per cent, risfl all round. Wages have risen from 10s per day to from 13s to 16s per day. It is evident from the above that as the revenue had not advanced during this period, work must be reduced or the revenue increased. So far as the ridings were concerned, some consideration should be given to Kapara, on account of its receiving no direct benefit from the plant purchased from the general account, to which if had to contribute. Discussing the situation revealed by the Engineer, when considering the rata to be struck for the current year, Councillors generally were of opinion that some improved system of finance should be arranged. The chairman stated that most of tho ridings had a dr. balance: Waverley £270 Moumahaki £1690, Kapara £ll9O. Otoia Riding was in a more fortunate position, and had a credit balance of £3BB. The financial position was serious. The expenditure was increasing at a greater rate than the revenue, which, it was evident, was not sufficient to meet the expenditure. The amount available for the Main Road, about £SOOO, was sufficient for only about a mile of new work. Personally, he' thought the time had come to increase the revenue. The Council had not increased its rates during the war, although expenditure had increased considerably. From the lower portions of the ridings the complaint was general that the roads were going back. He suggested an increase in the general rate to Id. He thought that the Patea County was the only one along the Coast which had not increased its rates during the war.In reply to Gr. McGregor, the chairman said that even if the new valuations were doubled, it would not be necessary to continue on the Id rate.

Cr. McGregor said he thought sonic improved system of maintenance of main roads should be adopted. The land was now being taxed for the upkeep of the road for the convenience, to a large extent, of through traffic. On a wet raceday hundreds of pounds worth of damage was done to the roads in the county, other scheme. Other counties were putting up toll-gates simply because they objected to heavy rates for through Road construction was going to be higher, and it was necessary to find some traffic.

Cr. Murphy endorsed Cr McGregor’s remarks. He referred to the injustice oi settlors away back having to contribute. to tne main road, from which they did not receive any benefit. lie considered that the fairest means of taxation fof main road upkeep was by the establishment of a toll-gate. Cr. Taylor said he considered the work could not be done out of rates, and advocated a loan. The present method, he considered, was too slow. The back roads required consideration as well as the main one.

Gr. Elinslic supported the proposal ot a loan. The ' back-blocks settlers, he understood, were willing to agree to a loan for the main road, providing their roads also received attention, but the main road settlers preferred to go on as at present. The loan would needs be a large one, but he considered it would be tho best policy. Cr. Walker did not approve of a loan. It was, bo considered, the thin edge of the wedge, and there would be a mortgage on the land for ever. Ho believed the increasing of the rate was the best way. The chairman explained that the raising of a loan was a protracted affair, and in the meantime the position had to be faced. it was decided to increase the rates in the Otoia, Waverley, and Moumahaki to Id. With regard to the Kapara Riding, which last year paid Id, the chairman stated that the revenue had decreased. Tho riding, at the present rate, would receive about £7OO for its district roads, wliile it was spending £IOOO for that work. It was therefore decided to increase the general rate in this riding to l^d.