THE WHIROKINO HIGHWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3976, 27 July 1929, Page 3

THE WHIROKINO HIGHWAY.

MATTER OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

The urgent necessity for the immediate carrying out of some work to protect the Whirokino highway Jfrom periodical flooding was given serious consideration by the Foxton Chamber of Commerce at its monthly injecting, held on Thursday evening. The president (Mr. J. IC. Hornblow) referred to the necessity for some action by the Highways Board in this connection and said the work was of national importance as the road was portion of the Wellington-Auckland highway. There did not appear to be any great difficulty in raising the road about three feet in the affected area and this would ensure a safe highway at all times. It Avas vital to Foxton that something should be done to improve the Whirokino road. Certain areas of land had already been acquired to carry out a deviation which Avould greatly reduce the affected area and if the remaining portion of the road was raised the inundation menace would be overcome. 'Suitable culverts at regular intervals along the raised portion would 1 prevent scouring in flood time. Mr. John Ross said that the proposal should not present any great difficulties. A tramline could lie run over the Whirokino Bridge and sand for filling purposes taken from the hills on the south side of the riven’. In this manner the bad corner south of the bridge could be done aAvay with and the road straightened. Mr. W)m. Trueman said a boulder bank would be necessary to protect the raised portion of the road which would have to be well const rue ted to withstand the tremendous 'pressure that would 'be brought to bear against it when the whole of the Whirokino was flooded. When this occurred a large sea of water stretched for a considerable distance and protection would have to be made against erosion Ibv* the AA-a-ves.

The president said that there was no current to be contended AA T ith. Mr. Ross said that when the area was inundated a westerly Avind raised quite a l , sea on the flooded area. Mr. Christie said if the hills to the south AA'ejre cut away and the road straightened there would be only half of the present distance of road to tar seal. The Railway Commission had said it -would not be a difficult matter to put a railway line through the Whirokino by laying-doAA’n embankments and if this were so then surely there avould be no diffileulty in laying down, a road. It Avas decided to write to the Main Higliways Board urging on that body the necessity for the carrying out of some work to keep the Whirokjino road open to traffic,. copy of the letter to be forAvarded to the Manawatu County Council and the co-operation of the Wanganui, Palmerston North • and Wellington Automobile Clubs to be sought in the matter: