Both Highways to be Made Efficient

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 22, 27 January 1937, Page 6

Both Highways to be Made Efficient

Minister Agrees to Put No. 60 Route in Order Makerua Road Eventually to be State Road

“No. 60 Highway is the only allweather route.”

This was the slogan of the chairman and members of Kairanga County Council yesterday when they set out ou a campaign to impress upon the Minister

of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, that their claim that this road should be taken over as a State highway, was justified. They adopted the reductio ad absurdum method of proving their case. That is, instead of confining their efforts to a recital of the good points of No. 60, they devoted much time to pointing out the defects of the alternative route to Wellington via Foxton line.

The Minister was shown the portion of the road at Tiakitahuna which is rendered impassable when the Manawatu spills over, how the river threatens the access road to the Rangitane bridge, a farmer’s house which had been, submerged once to the window top, the small margin of protection where the road skirts the Makerua stopbanks, the still unstable nature oi the Makerua Plains which have sunk from four to eight feet since draining started, how the Tokomaru stream overflows its stopbanks and *he water getting between stopbank and railway line, has to be pumped out, the need for an overhead bridge at the Makerua railway crossing, and last but not least, the danger threatening the stopbanks protecting the plains below Page's point where the river threatens to break through. Then coming to No. 60 Highway itself, the Minister was made acquainted with the work necessary to make the road a first-class highway. This will consist of large deviations, big fillings and new bridges. At the Rangitane toll bridge the Minister was met by a deputation from I the settlers who asked for a new bridge |to replace the private toll bridge. The I speakers were Messrs G. J. Wilde, J. D. | Aitchison and V. G. Clarridge. Mr. I Hunter, M.P., introduced the deputation. Mr Aitchison pointed out that the ! district was heavily rated and the toil | only added to their burdens. ! The Minister explained that the matter of a bridge was wrapped up iu the department’s decision as to which fiigaway was to be taken over by the State. Consequently he could not give a decision straight away. Mr Aitchison: if the highway goes the other way will we still bo able to get a bridge? The Minister: The people slitiuld not have to pay tolls. It is one of the very few places where they do and this state of affairs won’t last much longer if 1 have my way. The only alternative is for the Government to put a bridge here. Mr Aitchison: Wo have no other outlet. The Tokomaru road is really our back-door outlet. The Minister asked if the bridge belonged to the county and was surprised to learn that it did not. Ho was informed that it was a private structure, the property of the Akers estate while the approaching roadways were also private ones. Mr Semple: It is an extraordinary situation. It is remarkable. The bridge is privately owned and public roads run almost right up to it. I don’t think that sort of thing should continue. The principle is altogethei wrong. It gives an individual the right to levy a toll on the nation. Mr Claridge pointed out that the settlers had to pay 6d a head to take cows across the bridge while cars paid Is 6d return and lorries 5s return. The settlers had been paying tolls for years. Sheep went over at a penny a head. Mr Semple: Well this bridge is the last of the “Mohicans.” Mr J. Wood, Enginecr-in-Chief to the Department: A private one though; not a public one. Mr Wilde stated that as far back as 1931 the settlers had started the campaign for a new bridge and ho had a petition with 700 signatures of business men and others from Palmerston North to Otaki, all favouring the erection of a new structure. Mr Semple pointed out that the question was not one for the Main Highways Board but solely a Government matter. The County had apparently refused to take tho bridge and approaches over so it seemed the Government would have to do something. The Minister asked Mr Wood if the Makerua Plains road would be used as extensively as it was now, should No. CTI be declared the State road, Mr Wood replying that it would be more of a settlers’ road. With this statement, however, the Opiki delegation would not agree, Mr Aitchison remarking that people preferred tie plains route even though they had to pay tolls at the bridge. Mr Wood: Then that is an argument in favour of declaring tho Makerua route the main one. The County Council doesn’t think so, however. Answering the Minister, Mr A. R. Acheson, assistant district engineer, stated that No. 60 was likely to be blocked for short periods. Mr Wood; If the Makerua banks break then both routes will be blocked.

Mr Aitchison: We don't mind the County getting No. 60 as a State highway so long as we can get our bridge. Mr Wood: Both questions are tied up one with the other. If the Makerua road is declared the main highway then the Government will build the bridge, but if No. 60 is chosen then the ratepayers will have to pay their share of the Rangitane structure. Mr Semple: We will look into the matter but will settle No. 60 question

first. During the tour of inspection the

County Council representatives consisted of Messrs D. Collis (chairman), T. D. Lynch and Jos. Batchelar who were accompanied by the county clerk (Mr N. L Nielsen) and engineer (Mr. L. C. Pickering). In tho evening the County Council waited again on the Minister urging through Mr J. Hodgens, M.P., that a definite pronouncement should be given by the department on a matter which had been “in the air” for such a long time. Minister’s Reply. Mr Semple said he had thought very seriously about the matter and had had extensive inquiries made into the advantages of both roads even before his visit. His opinion now was that both roads were highly desirable and that No. 60 should be brought up to the standard of a first-class secondary highway. The only way that could be done was to straighten out the bends and take off the corners. That would make it as safe as possible. There was also the toll bridge which he didn't like aud tho farmers of Opiki had a legitimate grievance. They were paying a hefty tax and it was time it was stopped. If the department went ou with No. 60 there was still the obligation to put a bridge across the rivei at Kangtane. The present structure was never meant to carry highway traffic. The engineers considered the flood dangers in the Makerua not so evident as the County Council thought but did not deny there would be flood ing at times. That brought him to the question of control of die river and it was his intention to tackle that problem as well and to make the Makerua road quite safe. He was satisfied the flat route was the best one. •

With No. 60 Highway in order there would be three ways into Palmerston North from Wellington.

The Minister then announced that he would recommend to the Highways Board that they reconstruct tree of cost to the County, No. 60 Highway on the condition that the county contribute onelourth share of the cost of metalling and sealing.

He said it would be quite a long time before the road would bo ready for paving and tho first four miles at the Palmerston North end would be tackled first. He was satisfied that the increased traffic would justify the expenditure on the road and his decision should be satisfactory to everybody. Mr D. Collis, county chairman, returned thanks on behalf of the deputation and said he thought tho offer would be quite acceptable.

Cr. T. D. Lynch said tho Council agreed that a bridge was needed at Rangitane but it would be wasting money to continue to spend £2OOO u year on No. CO as the County had been doing in the past.