MAIN HIGHWAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 402, 10 July 1928, Page 16

MAIN HIGHWAYS

REPORT BY AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION HUNTLY SECTION BAD “The condition of portion of the road in the Huntly Town Boards area is simply disgraceful, reported the touring manager of the Auckland Automobile Association, Mr. R. E. Champtaloup, who returned to Auckland yesterday after an extensive tour. The tour embraced, the districts of Taranaki, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Taupo and Waikato and a thorough investigation of highways was made. He reported that he found road surfaces generally rather disappointing. ROUGH SURFACES “The rapid increase in fast-moving motor traffic is playing havoc with the roads in spite of the huge sum of money being spent annually and the intensive maintenance being provided by the Main Highways Board,” he said. . _ • In all districts there are signs of great activities, corners being cut back, bends straightened, and roads widened and in this respect there is a very great improvement. It is, however, the actual road surface which is suffering. In places where I have previously experienced good, smooth running, there were pot-holes and corrugations. -It seems quite apparent that the local bodies, in spite of their efforts, are unable to keep the roads in perfect order with the present class of highways, and it is apparent that the only solution is the provision of permanent surfaced roads. The funds now available from the petrol tax are enabling the Highways Board to lay down schemes of permanent roading in many districts, but in those counties where the old type of road is being adhered to there must be much waste in actual maintenance. WORST SECTION OF METAL “On the tour, the worst section of metal road encountered was the Huntly Town Board area, and bad potholes and rough surfaces were also experienced between Te Kuiti and Mahoenui. The Franklin County Council’s section of the No. 1 Highway, was also found to be in a much worse condition than is generally expected from this body, and with the exception of Huntly, it was the worst piece of road between Auckland and Hamilton yesterday. There was a decided improvement in other parts of the AucklandHamilton road, particularly on those sections maintained by the Public Works Department. In regard to the portion of the road in the Huntly Town Board’s area representations from the Auckland Automobile Association are being made to the Main Highways Board.