PAEKAKARIKI ROAD.

Otaki Mail, Volume 27, 31 October 1919, Page 4

PAEKAKARIKI ROAD.

The Paekakariki Hill was the subject of a jfhurt discussion at the meeting of the-Mauawatu branch of the Farmers' Union on (Saturday afternoon. The matter was brought up by the following remit from the Foxton branch: —“That in view of the Government spending so much money on I’aekakaliki Hill - road, which will be a continual expense and danger to keep open for traffic from slips, the Government bo asked to make a lower level road, and although the first cost will be great, yet the annual cost of upkeej) and the short distance to keep would jnore than pay interest on the outlay and make y safe road for the travelling public. ’ ’ Mr B. G. Gower, in moving the motion, produced plans of a proposed deviation of the route.

Mr O. P. Lynch suggested that Foxton should be asked to withdraw tiro remit. They were all anxious that the lower road from Pukcrua to I’limmerton .should be constructed, but so far as he could see it would be twenty ‘years before- it‘could be finished. In the meantime nothing should be done to stop the Government spending the £4OOO allocated for the improvement on the Paekakariki road, which would bo required for all time. Some very go,od work was being done there which would considerably lessen the danger of the road. The old road would always be required as a stock route and also for the convenience of the settlers. It would be better to urge the Government to go on with the .work, and make the road safe for motor traffic. They would then have the benefit of the top road while the deviation was in course of construction

Mr B. G.' Gower feared that, the Government might stop, the work if they were not encouraged to go on. Mr E. Macdonald said he understood that there was some difference of opinion befwecn the Public Works Department on the question of the deviation of the railway, and lie was afraid that if any obstacles were put in the way the work might be stopped. Mr J. Balsillic pointed out that the sum of £3OOO hud been put on the Estimates for the improvement of the Paekakariki road, to lie subsidised by a similar amount from the local bodies. The remit was then withdrawn, and the following motion was carried:— “That the Government be urged to improve the Paekakariki Hill road to make it as reasonably safe as practicable Until such time as a road can be made upon a lower level.''

.On the motion of Mr Balsillic it was further resolved:—“That the executive of the Farmers' Union convene a conference of all local bodies, town boards, borough councils and others interested to consider'the question of the improvement of the present Paekakariki Hill road. ’ ’