A BIG UNDERTAKING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 123, 25 May 1926, Page 9

A BIG UNDERTAKING

ROAD COMPLETED OVER SPIRAL

PRIME MINISTER AT TAUMARUNUI.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAUMARUNUL 24th May. At Eaurimu this afternoon, the Prime Minister (the Hon. J. G. Coates) officiated at the opening of the Spiral road. The completion of this road marks one of the most important accomplishments in roading in the 'central portion of the North. Island. After years o£ agitation by the Kaitieke County Council, backed up by other local bodies, the road has at j last been completed by prison labour, and a through road south of Taumarunui is now an accomplished fact. During the railway strike Taumarunui was almost isolated, but the completion of the road over the Spiral removes this possibility should a railway strike ever occur again. Moreover, the road gives access from the north to the important and fast-developing National Park, which in a very short time must become the Mecca of hundreds of motorists. Those present at the ceremony to-day included also the Hon. A. D. M'Leod, Minister of Lands, Messrs..B. W. Smith, M.P., W. Croker, chairman of the', Kaitieke County Council, and P. Keller, Public Works engineer. Mr. Coates said that more or less isolated districts deserved notice. The road had been completed under difficulties, and waß a big undertaking. The Highways Act would prove a success. It was quite likely that the men would be set to work on another section of the road on the other side of .Taumarunui. Mrs. Croker cut the tape and Mr. Coates declared the road open. The Ministerial party left Raunmu at 5 o'clock for Taumarunui, where thw were entertained at dinner tonight by the Taumarunui County Council, and m the morning they visited Mungaroa, where deputations were received.