PAEKAKARIKI HILL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1918, 21 December 1918, Page 2

PAEKAKARIKI HILL.

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS. Messrs W. IT. Field, M.P.. -I. Whiteman (chairman of 1 lie Hull; County Council), W. J. Howell, and, •1. Cudhy (inspector), waited on the, Minister for Public Works yesterday relative to the dangerous road over the Paekakariki Hill. Mr Field, in introducing; the deputation, point • ed out that the road was a main arterial one, and had hoped that ere this would have been taken over by the Government; but that matter appeared as far oil’ as ever. It had also been hoped that the road would be put in a better place by bridging' the Paremata, and following, roughly, the railway line. There was now much increased traffic on the road, fatal accidents had occurred, and, improvements were necessary; and it was suggested that it be re-grad-cd or fenced at the Government's expense —it being a main arterial road. A sum had. some time ago been placed on the Estimates for the work' (i'(itK), £ for £). Mr Howell■ pointed out that it was impossible for the Whareroa riding of the Halt Council to do the work, the estimated cost of fencing* being about £SOO for two and tlueequarter miles. The Minister considered (hat a.*! it was an arterial road, the whole council should bear (he cost. He was of the opinion (he main roads were a ipieslion for the whole council. He refused to make a straightout grant, but would help on a £ for £ basis, and considered (he proper course would be to set up a Commission and apportion the cost between the local bodies interested. The Engineer-in-Chief, Mr Holmes, said he had already considered (he matter, and said that instead of a fence a concrete wall, about If feel high, could lie erected. It was decided that the engineer should go over the road with members of the Hutfc Council, and then consider the best means of dealing with the matter.