MAIN ROAD COMMISSION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 July 1920, Page 3

MAIN ROAD COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE TAKEN AT

HELENSVILLE

The Royal Commission appointed to enquire into the best route, construction cost, etc., of a main Helensville to Hamilton Road, visited Helensville on Friday last, for the purpose of taking evidence here. The Commission consisted of Messrs W. S. Short (chairman, late TJnder-Secretary for Public Works), A. J. Hunter, C.E., A. D. Bell (chairman Manakau County Council), and G. Motion (chairman Franklin County Council)' Mr G. W. Murray, district engineer of Public Works, accompanied the Commission.

Mr Jas. Stewart, chairman of the Helercs-ville Town Board, introduced the various delegates who were to give evidence. Mr Stewart, appeared on behalf of the Town Board, and Agave d«tailed evidence. He stated the members of the Board were of the opinion that the present main roads used for traffic between Helensville and Auckland were not suitable, and advocated a better road as regards grades and distance. This could be obtained by a route via Grey Lynn, Whau waterfront, thence to Kumeu.

At Ohirangi a deviation of the road would be made by crossing the Kaipara River and entering Helensville direct. The first portion of the route followed fairly ''closely the proposed new railway route from the city recommended by Mr Hiley, late general manager of railways, in his 1914 railway report. The Boai.*d were of the opinion that the road should be of concrete, of a width from 15ft to 18ft, and that the cost of construction should be borne by the Government. A charge on traffic for interest and maintenance should be provided for.

Messrs C.West and W. Coutts (members of the Board), and Mr W. F. F. Raisher (clerk) also gave evidence.

The engineer of the Hobson County Council (Mr J. Spanhake), stated that his Council were in favor of a main arterial road through the North, on the lines of the North Auckland Development Board's scheme —Kaitaia to Auckland, deviating at Tahekeroa, and striking through practically roadless country, touching Dairy Flat, Albany and coming out on the shores of the Waitemata at Birkenhead. They favored the Helensville to Auckland route, so long as the first-named scheme was not prejudiced. Favored a concrete road, 16ft wide. Half the initial cost of construction should be borne by the Government, and half by the counties affected. In reply to a question, witness stated that tarred macadam was not suitable for present clay j traffic ; it had a tendency to break up, and some put down in his county two years ago required putting down again at the present time.

Mr Jas. McLeod, who gave evidence as a delegate from the Helensville branch of the N.Z.F.U., stated that he favored a concrete road 15ft wide. The cost of construction and maintenance should be borne entirely by the Government. A tyre tax on all vehicles in the districts the main road was constructed through should be imposed. He advocated (in the form of a motion) tho Lincoln Road deviation of the existing road, and also a deviation i-i the vicinity of Kumeu and Taupaki.

Mr Stewart (to the chairman): Mr McLeod's motion re the Lincoln Road deviation was turned down by the Town Board.

Mr Aitkenhead also stated that the tyre-tax mentioned by Mr McLeod was intended to be a universal one. Mr McLeod had given the wrong motion.

Mr H. Aitkenhead (chairman Waitetnata County Council) who

had given evidence before the Commission in Auckland, added a few remarks. Personally, he

said he did not favour any deviation of the existing road between Helensvillo and WoodhilL The Qhiringi deviation would save about three quarters of a mile, but the present route carried a lot of traffic direct to the Springs, where there would in the future be a considerable population, Mr F. W. Strange, president of the Helensville branch of the Auckland Automobile Association, stated that the branch had passed the following resolution for presentation before the Commission. 1. That the shortesi and bestroute for main road, Helensville to Hamilton is via prop-used new road from Helensville, crossing river at Ohirangi, thence along present road to Kuraeu, thence in the direction of Hiley's proposed

railway route via Brigham's Creek, Lawson's Oeek, Henderson at Te Atatu, Avondale Flats and Grey Lynn to Auckland.

2. That the olass of road construction should be concrete, constructed to a width of 15 feet. Cost to be borne by the Government.

3. An import tax to be imposed of £1 per tyre, or £4 on every motoi vehicle registered between Te Aroha and Kaukapakapa. Also 5s per wheel on every horse drawn vehicle between Hamilton and Helensville. As there are approximately 15,000 motors registered in these districts, this tax would bring in a revenue of £60,000 which would more than pay interest on the cost of construction, leaving the tax to be derived from horsedrawn vehicles to go towards a sinking fund. Any further amount to be contributed by Government grants and local bodies, according to benefits received.

Mr Strange stated that the route suggested would shorten the distance between Helensville and Auckland by about eight miles. This route contained the best grades it was possible to obtain between both places. As regards the tyre tax (which would be adjusted to meet the class of motor vehicles using the roads) he was satisfied that no motorist would object to a tax of £4 or £5, providing they could get the road. The saving in wear a,nd tear, petrol, tyres, etc., would more than compensate for the tax imposed.

Messrs C. West and A. E. Diprose (Kaukapakapa) supported this evidence. Mr West said the land the main road would pass through would inevitably increase in value Motorists were tired of being classed as "' road hogs," and the inference was often drawn that they contributed practically nothing towards the upkeep of the roads. But most motorists were landowners and taxpayers, and besides paying rates were quite willing to pay (as motorists) what some would consider a heavy tax.

In reply to a question as to whether the proposals put forward by the Association were only contingent on a concrete road being put down, Mr Strange stated that concrete was the only material that would stand jnodern traffic. He did not think that motorists would, be willing to be taxed on macadam or roads of other material.

Mr J. A. Spepherd, chairman of the Rodney County Council, stated thattho council favoured concrete roads 16 feet wide, the whole of the cost and upkeep to be borne by the Government. He favoured also the Development Board's route via Tahekeroa and Dairy Flat. The road should be controlled by a special board set up by the Government.

In reply to a question by the chairman of the Commission as to whether it wouldn't be better to support the Helensville to Auckland route, as the other route would land on the shores of Waitemata harbour, and it might be years before the harbour was bridged, Mr Shepherd said he was prepared to leave it to a competent board of engineers to state which was the most suitable route.

Mr R, Nicholls, a member of the Good Roads Association, advocated a concrete road 18 feet wide. He stated he had measured varying types of vehicles, and was of the opinion that a less width of road that 18 feet did not give sufficient room for vehicles to pass in absolute safety.

Mr A. J. Garry, who ayjpeared as a delegate from the Kaipara Dairy Factory, also favoured a concrete road 18 feet wide. The road should be built at the Government's expense, and should be put through the best route possible, without considering private interests in the matter.

The chairman of the Commission thanked the various delegates for the information given, all of which would, he promised, be carefully considered by his fellow members and himself.

The Commission concluded its business at one o'clock, and the members left during the afternoon by car via Waitakere.

"Her Country First," the splendidly photographed and staged Paramount photodrama, showing at Everybody's on Tuesday evening, in which the dainty Vivian Martin stars,- is full of laughter and thrill. Dorothy Grant, an American girl, gives up eating chocolates during the war, believing it to be for her country's benefit. Her friends immediately decide that she is ill;. but Dorothy is indignant and explaius that she is not sick, but intense! A picture full of genuine humor, and highly ah sorbing incidents. Miss Martin is vivacious, active, intelligent and full of charm.