MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4686, 11 April 1924, Page 2

MAIN HIGHWAYS.

ROUTE ACROSS THE PLAINS. COUNTY COUNCIL DIVIDED. The question of the route of the main highway across the Hauraki Plains again came before the county Council at its meeting on Tuesday hr t. when a letter from the chairman of the No. 2 District Highways Council was read. He stated that he had been advised by tlie chairman of the Main Highways Board that the board wa- of the opinion that the road from Paeroa to Thames on the eastern sid? of the Waihou River should be declared a main highway, and the question was raised as to whether this contemplated action would affect the No. 2 Council’s recommendation in respect to that portion of the Pokem.’-Waitakaruru-Paeroa road through the Hauraki Plains county. The board asked whether it would be better to adopt the location via Ngatea rather than through Pipiroa, and the views of the council on the matter were requeste 1. Tlie county chairman reported that he had written to the chairman of No. 2 Council as follows:— . ‘While recognising the right of the Highways Board' to finally determine the line of road to be declared a mam highway when two dr more routes at e pressing their respective claims, it does net alter my opinion as to which route the motorists will take between Paeroa and Thames when the Kirikiri bridge is built, as they always prefer level going. However, it is not miintention here to raise a discussion on the battle of the routes, as the adoption of such an attitude is always a serious hindrance to progress, and should be avoided as far as possible. “Regarding the proposed alterations in the Hauraki Plains county, the position so far is that at our meeting on February 12 wfe adhered to the route recommended by the No. 2 Di'trict Council, such route being recommended at. your suggestion ; and any j?st<mato of works, maintenance, ami condit’on of road submitted to you refers to that route. Tn my opinion the position regarding the two routes is such that either route would bo acceptable to this council provided the Highways Board was left entirely to its owyi opinion as to which one is preferable and backed up by sound reasons justifying the decision. Our council meets next Tuesday, and if the members have any further recommendations to make the same can l:c forwarded on to you as early as possible.’* Cr. Hayward said he was of the opinion that the route should be through Ngatea and Orchard Wes: Road to the proposed main highwav to Morrinsville, along the Waitaka-ruru-Maukoro Canal Road. This road would be shorter and more easily constructed, and would pass more through the centre of the county. Tn reply to Cr. Hayward the engineer said he would prefer to go into the matter before giving an opinion on that route. Cr. Parfitt moved that the chairman’s letter be the council’s reply. Cr. Madgwick, in .seconding, suggested that the route be through Ngatea. Orchard East and Huirau roads, and over a bridge at Puriri. As the road on the other side of the Waihou River was likely to become a main highway tlie adoption of this route would do away with the necessity for the bi idges at Pipiroa and Kirikiri and would thereby save the ratepayer.; a big bridge rate. Cr. Hayward moved as an amendment that the council instruct the cKrk to forward the district council a copy of the minutes in relation f o tlm route, accompanied by an opinion by the county engineer on the matter. Cr. Mayn, in seconding, said that he favoured the route through Ngatea. This was endorsed by Cr. Hare. Cr. Parfitt thought it a very fair proposal to leave the decision to the Highways. Board. Cr. Hayward said his amendment to<>k no side. He did not know what the engineer’s report would be. Cr. McLoughlin said he would support the amendment. It was no different to the motion, but supplied full particulars. Cr. Harris said that in his opinion the route would eventually be along the Maukoro canal to the Orchard West road.

Cr. Madgwick said that should the Ngatea route be adopted, then th? Ko reneehi-Kopnara hi road and the Tiirua-Nethertojn road should be declared main county roads. On the amendment being put Crs. Havward, Hare. Mayn. and McLoughlin voted for it and Crp. Miller, Harris, Madgwick, Nicholson, and Parfitt against it. The motion was carried, the voting being the same. MAINTENANCE. The chairman of the Main Highwavs Board wrote asking for an assurance that the council would continue in the meantime to maintain the roads recommended to be adopted as main highways. Cr. Parfitt moved that the assurance be given provided the cost to the council did not exceed £5O a mile. Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried. Cr. Harris moved that the council approach the Highways Board and endeavour to have the road from Haley's corner to the county boundary declared a Government road because a large portion of the land was Crown or native land, and the balance of such small capital value that it w.iiild be impossible to put the roal in the necessary order for a main highway out of rates, and, further, that the revenue accruing from that portion of the Wai’takaruru riding would not permit the council to find th” necessary money for construction. Seconded by Cr. Hayward and carried.