MAIM SOUTH ROAD.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17836, 8 October 1929, Page 6

MAIM SOUTH ROAD.

MORE BITUMEN WORK.

ECONOMY CLAIM DISPUTED.

COUNTY COUNCIL WANTS JOB. Believing that It would save several thousand pounds by doing the work Itself, the Waikato County Council to-day decided to Inform the Government that It wished to proceed with the permanent surfacing of the Great South Road between Ngaruawahia and Ohlnewal.

Mr F. Dyson, representing the Main Highways Board, advised that the board had decided to delegate to the county the powers of maintenance and construction of the main highway between Ngaruawahia and Ohinewal. He considered the board had a good organisation and plant available for this work, and probably it would be more economical if the board carried it out; He asked for the council’s views on the matter. In the meantime his department was preparing plans of formation work on the section. Mr T. H. Hinton, chairman, said direct application had to he made for £SOOO to start the work. Tile work could not be proceeded with until arrangements for an advance had been completed. Cr. G. Smith said the County Council had to pay whoever did the work. He would sooner see the county engineer undertake it. The Chairman: Shall we ask for the £SOOO loan to proceed, or ask the Highways Board to go ahead?

Cr. T. H. Henderson: The sooner it is done .the better. Replying to a question, Mr A. A. Woodward, the engineer, said the bituminising would be the greater part of the cost —approximately £14,000. If we want to assist the Government with their new unemployed scheme it would be better to accept their economy clause and let them go ahead,’’ said Mr Hinton. “If, on the other hand, we wish to save money for our ratepayers it would be advisable to do it ourselves." Cr. D. P. Laird: Will we get value for our money from the Government men ?' The Chairman: That is the whole point. Cr. Smith said the Public Works Department was not free from political interference, but the County Council was. Mr Woodward said the approximate cost of the bridge was £37,000. As far as the road work was concerned he was satisfied the council could save money if it performed the work. Cr. T. Procter: We must look after the ratepayers, and save money for them when we can.

.Mr Woodward pointed out that he constructed four miles of the bitumen road at Iluntly for under £2BOO per mile. The Public Works constructed the continuation of the road at £4OOO per mile, and it was cracking up. In moving that the council apply for the first instalment of £SOOO, and advise the Highways Board that it desired to construct the work, the chairman said it was desirable to place the onus on the board. The motion was carried.