MINISTER ASSURES IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE HIGHWAYS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 82, 4 May 1949, Page 5

MINISTER ASSURES IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE HIGHWAYS

The agitation by various local bodies about Whakatane and Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., for some improvement to State highways to Whakatane has at last borne some fruit, but little satisfaction. In a letter to Mr Sullivan the Minister of Works, Mr Semple, reveals the finding in a report he had specially prepared about the present condition of highways. The report does not mention any possible sealing and little large scale improvement to the Whaka-tane-Gisborne or Whakatane-Roto-rua highways. The Minister writes:—

“I have now received a report from the Chairman, Main Highways Board, dealing with the condition of State Highways giving access to Whakatane.

“Taking firstly, the Rotorua-Wha-katane State Highway, I am advised that the worst section is that between Te Teko and the Rotorua district boundary. This sand and pumice section is bejng completely resurfaced and well over half of it has already been completed. The work is being pressed ahead with all despatch and soon should give no further cause for complaint. “Regarding the Whakatane-Gis-borne via Waioeka State Highway, I am informed that the section between Waimana Gorge and Ruddick’s Road has been remetalled and in parts, built up and reformed. From Ruddick’s Road to Kutarere the crust has worn down almost to the coarse base metal. I understand tenders will shortly be called for the supply and delivery of nearly 5000 cubic yards of river gravel for this section.

“The Waiotahi-Opotiki l’econstruction. is being pushed along to the full extent of available resources.

“From the foregoing it will be seen that efforts are being made to effect improvements to the highways in the Whakatane area,” the Minister concludes.