The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1918 ROAD MAINTENANCE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 392, 16 July 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

TUESDAY, JULY 16, 1918 ROAD MAINTENANCE

"We nOthino rctenv.rie, nor iel down auuht in tnuliee.'

The increasing burden of road maintenance was, as mentioned elsewhere in this issue, reported on last week at the meeting of the Waipa County Council by its Supervisor (Mr W. 11. Mandeno) and in view of his suggestion that concerted action on the part of local authorities is advisable if the problem is to be properly grappled with his views are worthy of attention. Despite its otherwise progressive proclivities the fact that the Auckland Province is one of the worst roaded districts in the Dominion is generally recognised. Comparatively small areas, it is true, undertake responsibility for reading improvements but what is necessary practically everywhere is a comprehensive scheme of bringing about substantial reading conditions that will be of a permanent and lasting nature. The advent of motor car and motor lorry traffic has demonstrated that past methods of roadmaking do pot meet modern requirements and old ways must certainly be superseded by new modes. Then again motor- developments have alteied things inasmuch as country roads no longer only carry local traffic nut to a very great extent are used by "through" traffic from the cities. That phase of the subject is allimportant for it has become most unfair and inequitable that County Councils and Road Boards should be called on to maintain loads without anv share of upkeep being contributed from the large centres. The erection of tollgates on main roads has been advocated similar to that in existence in a patt of Taranaki but a general resort to would savour of ancient day. l - and it must not be forgotten that with the progress of timet l ! ?v had to be abolished in Fngl i id. Mr Mandeno U opposed to the principle ot the i Joverni:nt

taking over tlie main roads as lie considers that experience in other directions lias proved that bKter resnlts accrue from local ! ly control than from udiniuisti: i >n from Wellington. lie al l '.of opinion that the existing . inn of the (Jovernmcnt lem'iiu; small sums :>f JIICJU'V !.» I''(•.;] authorities only produces pi' eenual loads

Mr Mandeno accordingly advocates ili.it, .is it! ihe Stall- of Victoria, the (iovernment should raise a large loan, the me to be advanced to local bodies for road purposes and to automatically carry with it a £ for £ subsidy from the consolidated revenue. The latter noint would undoubtedly be a great improvement on the course that has to be now pursued of endeavouring through the member for the district to bring pressure to bear upon the Minister of Public Works to subsidise particular works. The whole matter is one that should be carefully considered by local authorities with a view of when the war is over inducing the Government to alter their ways of procedure. The roadway of the future is the basis of all prosperity, for unless it be equal to the demands a great deal which the future contains will be denied the people of New Zealand.