THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. MONDAY, JULY 16, 1923. THE HIGHWAYS BOARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4586, 16 July 1923, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY. WEDNESDAY. & FRIDAY. MONDAY, JULY 16, 1923. THE HIGHWAYS BOARD.

The Highways Board iias held its first meeting, and presumably it will commence operations' in real earnest. As Mr Massey informed a Southern deputation on Thursday, the “whole thing is an experiment,” and he appealed for a fair chance for it. Being an experiment (says the “Waikato Times)’ the Board must be given every opportunity to make good, and being an earnest effprt to deal with a difficult subject, it is desirable that the best possible information be obtained, and that the members should receive first-hand information as to what is being done in other lands. In thi.g connection a practical suggestion has been put forward/ which, if adopted; would no doubt prove beneficial. It is that one of the engineer members of the Board should be sent, on a visit to America to investigate the systems adopted there. The Americans started their highway system some 13 years ago, during which time they have no doubt learned much, and, provided the right man was sent, there is no doubt he could gather data which would be invaluable t,o the New Zealand Board. The cost would be a ; mere bagatelle compared with the probable benefit, for with the information which an expert could gather on ,'sucli a mission the New Zealand Board having the benefit of America’s 13 years’ experience would be able to. follow a blazed trail instead of having to do all its own pioneering work. The suggestion is certainly worthy of the careful consideration of the Minister and the members of the Board, and we commend it to them.