CONDITION OF ROADS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 712, 11 July 1929, Page 18

CONDITION OF ROADS

NEEDS ON NORTHERN HIGHWAYS AUTO. ASSOCIATION’S REPORT “There appears to be some doubt whether finance will be available to complete the route north of Whangarei and Helensville. All v/eather access is to be provided by the metalilng of a few chains at the boundary of the Whangarei and Bay of Islands counties, between Kawakawa and Whangarei, and the metalling of a short stretch on the Jordan Valley route/’ Thus, Mr. R. A. Champtaloup, service officer, in a report on North Auckland roading conditions to the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. He suggested that the Main Highways Board be requested to make provision for the maintenance of the Jordan Valley route, which would be used extensively during the coming summer, while the main road was under construction, and that, if possible, finance be made available to complete the metalling of the Mangakahia Road. On the western side, there are three short sections where metalling was required to complete the all-weather circuit from Whangarei to Kaitaia, returning via Dargaville. He recommended that the Minister of Public Works be requested to obtain a report with regard to the cost of completing the unmetalled portion between Kaihu and the forest, and to make a definite statement to the Association as to whether the Government was prepared to carry out this work during the coming summer. The report further advised that the Highways Board’s attention be drawn to the expensive method of maintenance employed on the RangiririMercer route, and recommended that the board should employ an engineer and a grader to keep the surface in order. Sections of the Kihikihi-Mahoenui road were in a disgraceful condition, the service officer stated in advising that the board be requested to pay special attention to the Pio Pio-Mahoe-nui section, which had so long been maintained in a very rough state. The report was adopted.