The Paekakariki Hill.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 21 December 1918, Page 3

The Paekakariki Hill.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER

Messsr W. H. Field. M.P., J. "VVhitoman (chairman of the Hutt County Council), W. J. Howell, and J. Cudby finspcctor) waited on the Minister of Public Works on Thursday relative to the dangerous road over the Paekakariki Hill. .

Mr Field, in introducing the deputation, pointed out that the roadi was a. main arterial one, and. he had hoped that ero this would have been taken over by the Government, but that now appeared as far off as ever. It had also been hoped that the road would be put in a better place by bridging the Parein a ta, andl following, roughly, the railway line. There was now much increased traffic 011 the road, fatal accidents had occurred, improvements wore ueccfi>ary, and it was suggested that it be re-graded, or fenced at the Government's expence—it being a main arterial road. A sum had Mine time ago been placed 011 the Estimate for the works (£6OO, £1 for £1).

Mr Howell pointed out that it was impossible for the AVhareroa riding of the Hutt Council to do the work. the estimated cost of fencing being about CSOO for 2$ miles.

The Minister considered as it was an arterial road the whole Council (should bear the cost, and lve was of the opinion that main roads were a question for the whole Council. He refused to make a straight- out grant, but would help on a £1 for £1 ha sis. and considered the proper course would be to set up a commission and apportion the cost between the local bodies interested. The Engiueer-in-Chief. Mr Holmes, said he had already considered the matter, and instead of a fence a concrete wall, about IV feet high could be erected. , it ivaiS decidedi that the engineer go ofer the road with councillors of the Hutt Council and then e.insider the best means of dealing with the matter.