ROADS AND COUNCILS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 166, 4 October 1927, Page 6

ROADS AND COUNCILS

\ During a recent week-end the service officer of the A.A.A. explored the roads to and from the district round the Waingaro Hot Springs, which are roughly 15 miles west of Ngaruawahia. The trip is a four-hour one from Auckland or 1 b hours from Hamilton, and when the attractions are made better known there is no reason why this spot should not be a popular resort. The road surface all the way is in excellent order and the bush scenery is very fine. For a considerable dis- | tance the road runs alongside a stream. The hot springs are five miles, along a good metalled road, from the Waingaro landing on the Raglan Harbour, where good fishing is to be had. From the hills, wonderful views of the Raglan Harbour can be seen. There is also a road through the sheep station to the fine open beaches on the West Coast of the island. In the summer time this resort can be reached via Tuakau and Glen Murray, or via the Huntly-Pukemiro Road, although this latter route has unmetalled portions. • * * In order that motorists may know from what point, they come under the Auckland City by-laws, large nottceboards marking the city boundary are to be placed on all principal highways. The City Council decided 'last week tcf do this on the recommendation of the chief traffic inspector, who stated that owing to recent changes it was difficult for motorists to ascertain where the boundary lay. ** ■ m Speaking at a meeting of motorists ! in Paeroa last week, the service officer of the A.A.A. congratulated the bor- j ough on its enterprise in road-making in the district. He gave as his opinion that the improvements in the borough roads were reflected in the prosperous looks of the town. Paeroa is becoming the centre of a motor touring area, and the roads are an example to authorities in other towns on the Hauraki Plains. Ke expressed the hope that a permanent surface will be given to the road to obviate the heavy maintenance required if the present form of roadway is left 'without surfacing. THE KAIMAI ROAD The Public Works Department is making good progress in the widening and regrading of the Kaimai Road. At present 68 men are enployed the majority being on contract. About 20 are employed on wages. and as time goes on these men will have the opportunity of taking up contract work. Carpenters are erecting additional tents for the accommodation of another 40 men who are to arrive shortly. A big improvement is already noticeable. in some oi; the steeper grades. Sharp elbows are disappearing and bends have been eliminated. When completed, there will not be a steeper gradient than one in 14. with a minimum width of 2Oft. The road, it is expected, will be completed about March. Good quality stone is in abundance over practically the whole length of the road, and the question of completing with a good coating of this material should not be a difficult matter. 1 The work is being undertaken partly i to relieve unemployment.

The Main Highways Board d€dded at its meeting last week to recommend road construction to the value of £. 695,428 for 1927-28. Estimates to this total which have been received from the district highway councils will be submitted to Parliament for consideration in the general Estimates.

A matter which needs attention drawn to is the habit of some people to walk along concrete roads at night time. Many motorists of my acquaintance have had very narrow escapes from running pcsople down, especially on wet nights. , Where there are no footpaths no one blames pedestrians for using the road, but they should always walk on the oncoming traffic. They might be dazzled by the lights, but its safer.

Orewa and Waiw'era are now accessible by road and motorists are advised by the Auckland Automobile Associathat they need anticipate no difficulty in a week-end trip. The ! route recommended is through Albany and Dairy Flat. The coast road through I Takapuna and Silverdale is still some- ! what soft and troublesome.

The recent strong representations by the Auckland Automobile Association and other interested bodies, to have the Mamaku Road to Rotorua, attended to has apparently met with .some success! for advice has been received that the district Public Works engineer is ready to proceed immediately the surface is dry.