NATIONAL HIGHWAY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 June 1919, Page 3

NATIONAL HIGHWAY.

m SUPPORTED BY ME HELD. THE PAEKAKARIKI SECTION. A strong supporter of the proposal for a national highway from Auckland to the Bluff as a war memorial is Hr AY. H. Field, M.P. He is particularly interested in that section o'f the road which would pass through his own district —the Otaki electorate. Speaking

to a reporter on Thursday, Mr Field

said that for years it had been plain that the Paekakariki Hill road was ■quite unlit for the motor traffic it was required to carry. The national higliivay proposed was on the lines of those ■ laid down in other countries, including France, and especially America. In America there were two national highways, from ocean to ocean, over which motors could travel at thirty miles an hour, including stops. From north to south there were fine, great roads. Ihe various States all connected their roadway systems with these national highways. No attempt, was made to serve towns with the national roads; in fact, for preference they kept clear of the towns. Such a national highway

could be constructed from end to end i 0 f the North Island, and end to end of the South. At various centres plots of , land could be set apart, and planted, preferably with native trees, and substantial monuments could be erected, to keep green the memory of the men in that, locality who gave their lives in

the war. The value of a good road was much greater now than formerly, Irecause of the demands of motor traffic. A recent distinguished visitor from America had said that the motor uwis ihe greatest blessing the "United Sjatos had ever known, because it had made .rood roads a necessity. Ordinary roads would not stand the wear of motor traffic, and better construction was essential.

The Paekakariki Hill road was impossible as a section of the national highway. Mr Field said he had induced the Government, with the assistance of Ihe County Council, to improve the road so as to make it reasonably safe for the time being. They would widen it and ease the grades n places. At the dangerous . places either a substantial fence or a concrete kerb wall, would be erected, to prevent accidents. But this would not remove the main complaints against the road, and alternative routes were therefore being sought. One was by way ot' Fukeruti, following practically the present, line, and rising to a maximum height of 800 ft. That would save about 000 ft of climb (the present road is almost 900 ft above sea level at its highest, point), and it would also save four - miles in distance. The recent statement, by Mr Hilcy that the Paekakariki section should not continuc to bo used as a portion of the Main Trunk line suggested that the present line might be abandoned, and the railway be constructed round the beach on the level. If that were done, possibly the present line would bo devoted to motor purposes. There was another route which Mr Field purposed inspecting in a few days’ time. It was suggested in this case that, instead of crossing the harbour at Parcmata with a big traffic bridge, beside the railway bridge, the road should follow the present route to Palinutanui, shortening the distance by cutting out the bends, and 'on to a point three miles past Pahautnnui. There it would lead up the valley and over a low saddle, coming out at AVainui, an old Maori settlement about a mile north oi: I ackakariki. That route, it was suggested. would be of moderate grade, and would not present any considerable difficulties in construction.