MAIN HIGHWAYS ROUTE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4600, 12 September 1923, Page 4

MAIN HIGHWAYS ROUTE.

THE BRIDGING QUESTION. DISCUSSION BY RATEPAYERS. ! A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Public Hall, Netherton, on : Saturday evening to discuss the route of the main highway. There were about thirty people present, including ten members of the Turua Ratepayers’ Association and nine members of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association. Mr T. VowD.es presided. Mr D. G. McMillan outlined the proposal to urge the district council to utilise the route from Paeroa through Netherton, Turua, Orongo, Pipiroa, to Waitakajuru, as discussed briefly at the annual meeting of ithe Turua Ratepayers’ Association, and published in the " Gazette.” The advantages were many, stated Mr McMillan. By the construction of the Kirikiri bridge, the necessity of the road from Paeroa to Thames along the foothills would be done a,way with. The proposed route was shorter, straighter, and flatter. The saving in construction and maintenance would build the Kirikiri Bridge. The opposition to this would have to be withdrawn. Mr J. Reid thought that the road down the foothills from Paeroa to Thames would never be a main highway. Mr McMillan stated in reply that the only alternative would be to build Kirikiri bridge. Mr T. Vowles said that the councillors had been pledge d against the bridge when elected,, yet they had agreed to it without consulting t,he ratepayers. In his opinion they ought to resign. Mr R. Heappy thought that the Highways Board would not consider the building of the bridge. Mr McMillan said that t,he proposed route was not the shortest, but Thames had to be considered. Mr H. Hare said that Netherton was in the fort,unate position of having the road wherever it went. There was no doubt that the proposed route would benefit Turua. Mr J. Reid asked whether the Highways Board would seek the shortest route or the one that would affect the greatest number. Mr P. Henry said that the Netherton route would be the shortest and would serve the greatest number. Mr Hare said the Council that was in power before he entered was in favour of the Kirikiri bridge provided a £ for £ subsidy was forthcoming. The present Council was almost favourable ,tp the proposal, particularly if it was put to the ratepayers. It has never been wholly opposed. Mr Vowles said that Thames was working very enthusiastically' for its own benefit. Other places were not so active. Mr Madgwick said that Kirikiri bridge would come. He and one other councillor were opposed, but the others were favourable and had been returned at the last election. In regard to the route, he thought the Turua-Orongo-Pipiroa one the best for Paeroa and Thames. Mr Chester said that Waitakaruru Riding was asking (o be cut out of the county machinery loan, and he asked if Netherton could be cut out of the Kirikiri bridge scheme, as that riding would not benefit, Mr McMillan said that bad Paeroa t,o Thames not been re cognised as a main highway he would not advocate the present route. Mr Hare said that the main highway was for the benefit of the travelling public. The motor people had a representative on the Board. He believed that the main road would undoutbedly be on the Plains. Mr Vowles said that the Government was contributing a great deal to the road, and-would desire the road to go near its land to increase the value. Mr Potter said that the PaeroaPokeno railway would be commenced within two years, and when it was in operation the Kirikiri bridge woudl be unnecessary. Mr Henry claimed that reads would be a necessity even alongside railways. Mi- Madgwick pointed out that in Taranaki the motors were beating the railways.

Mr Hare said that there was a great deal of the Plains yet tp be opened up. There were other places besides Paeroa, Thames,, and Tunua. Other roads to the' Waikato might have to be considered. The Government would wish to have a road to the tourist resort at Te Aroha. The highway would materially assist Turua, as that itpwnship had just gone in for a roading scheme. Mr Heappy considered that the highway should be considered without the bridge. Mr McMillan said that it was then up to Netherton to find a better route* Mr Madgwick was of opinion that; the proposed route would be the best for all concerned. There was no doubt that the Klrikiri bridge would come, and with it the traffic would come over the straight flat route on the Plains. Mr Gray said that Thames had sufficient weight behind it to command respect. There was a big district behind, and the bridge was bound to come. Mr Potter said that when the railway came Netherton and the Plains would have no need for Thames and the bridge would not be necessary. Mr McMillan said that the point was whether Ndtjherion would support the proposed roujte if the bridge was left out. Mr Henry pointed out that unless Netherton and Turua advocated the route they might lose it altogether. The people on the other side of the river would wish to have the present main road the route of the majn highr way. Mr McMillan said that Turua could not consider the that route without the bridge. Coromandel and Thames would desire a road, and each county would have equal say on the District Council. That was why it was advisable to advocate the flat route and the bridge. They would thereby get the support of those delegates. Mr Heappy considered that tjhe best Thames could hope for was a subsidiary road! Dt "was only a dead end

at apy time. What was wanited was a good road to Auckland. , Mr Reid said that the Plains should look after their • own ends. Let Thames advocate for the bridge to join up with the road. Mr McMillan said that the scheme must be looked at as a whole. The proposed route was the best for the greatest number, and unless opposed was bound to receive serious consideration by the Highways Board. Mr Vowiles considered that Netherten should advocate the road without the bridge. In reply to Mr Vowles Mr McMillan said that he could not say what the Highways Board would contribute towards the bridge, but the fact remained that it would have to be considered pajrt of tjie road. Mr Heappy said that the Plains should advocate for the shortest route. If they supported two routes pmd one bridge they would not be con.Sidered at all. Z Mr Henry said that the ratepayers would have lit,tie say in the matter. 'There would be one representative on the Board for fourteen counties. Mr Hare stated that the county council had been asked what it cpiitfldered were main highways and sub- ; jdiary roads, and it was for the rateliayers to decide. Mr Vowles said that it was for the ratepayers of Netherton to meet later and discuss the matter. They would then advise Turua. The thanks if the Netherton association was due to I the Turua association for attending and (discussing the matter. Tn returning thanks Mr McMillan ■said that Kirikiri had loomed largely :in the (discussion. It was only because 'it ‘Was the key to the whole problem that the attitude of Turua had changed. They were losing the battle, 'but hoped to gain something worth While in exchange.