PAEROA TO TE AROHA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5498, 8 November 1929, Page 2

PAEROA TO TE AROHA.

MAINTENANCE OF MAIN ROAD.

WORK AUTHORISED BY COUNCIL

When the matter of maintenance work on the Tc Aroha-Paeroa main road came up for discussion at the meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council yesterday Or. Mace said that while improvements had been made to this section of highway, there was as yet not enough metal for the grader to draw in. More metal should be put in, so that the grader could draw in properly. In answer to the chairman Cr. C. Mason, the engineer stated that the total cost’ of metalling would be £1579 10s, £1053 to be paid by the Main Highways Board and £526 10s by the Ohinemuri County Council.

The chairman said the other main highways in the county were in fairly good order. On the Paeroa-Te Aroha road the increased traffic in the fine weather made it really necessary to have more metal placed on it. The amount was large, but “a stitch in time saved nine.” The present was a lean time for the council, but the rates were soon to come in, and it was hoped they would relieve the position somewhat. Subsidies for byroads were being turned down and the people were getting restless that all moneys were going on the main highways. The time had come to call a halt. However, the work in question required doing, and with the other highways in fair order, to keep the Te Aroha Rdhd in good order it would be absolutely necessary to have it metalled.

In answer to Cr. W. F. Johnstone, the chairman said the metal would last two years, ljut of course weather, etc., had to be taken into consideration. He considered it .was no good just patching • and mending potholes as at present, such methods getting the council nowhere. Cr. Johnstone said he agreed with the chairman’s remarks regarding the side roads, and with the engineer’s remarks about doing a little bit here and there on the roads, which certainly led nowhere, the metal being merely wasted. It was time to call a halt with the main highways. He maintained that next year the byeroads should be done first, and what money there was left to be donated to the main highways. However, in the meantime a good job should be made of the Te Aroha road. The council finally decided to authorise the prosecution of the necessary work.