THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1927. BOROUGH MAIN HIGHWAYS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5139, 15 June 1927, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1927. BOROUGH MAIN HIGHWAYS.

In this issue of the “Gazette” will be found a comprehensive report on the main highways of the borough, together with the discussion by members of the Paeroa. Borough Council at the meeting on Friday night last. From the report it will be evident that an attempt lias been made by the council to grapple with tlie problem of constructing and maintaining roads for motor traffic-—a problem common to the whole Dominion and one that is causing anxiety to many local bodies. To the interested ratepayers it must have for some time pa.st been evident that water-bound macadam roads would not stand up to the motor traffic at present on the roads in the borough. A particular instance- of this is the portion of Belmont Road near the Paeroa Hotel which was reconstructed in March last. First-class materials were used, yet it was seriously damaged by tlie heavy race traffic, necessitating considerable repairs already. The proposals embodied in tlie council’s report appear to be sound, and a reasonable solution to the difficulty. It is now evident that settlers from tlie surrounding district are making Paeroa their shopping centre, and the resultant prosperity to tlie borough depends largely upon a continuance of this movement, and the necessary adjunct is good roads. If, as it appears in the report, the roads qie on the verge of breaking up, and nothing is done to prevent the deterioration, such conditions ffiust seriously interfere with increased business prospects. Analysed, the proposals show careful consideration and bear the hall-mark of practicability, Tlie nature of tlie work, if properly carried out, should give a permanent job, and at the same time provide a. high standard of road comfort beneficial to local residents and visitors alike. If tlie suggested financial provisions can be adhered to that burden will be comparatively light, especially in view of, tlie great improvement that would obtain. The question of local highways has many aspects, which will no doubt be fully explained by tlie council before any vote is taken on the proposals. Meanwhile we heartily commend the somewhat unusual procedure of making available to ratepayers a copy of tlie report and proposals in full, as it affords ratepayers tlie opportunity of investigating the- contentious subject ■for themselves. The Mayor is deserving of congratulation on the clear and able manner in which he has ta.ekled the problem. If the trend of the discussion at tlie recent council meeting can be taken as an indication, then he should be sure of tlie assistance and co-operation of the councillors in advancing the interests and progress of Paeroa.