THE HOWICK MOTOR 'BUS AND BAD ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXV, Issue 250, 19 October 1904, Page 10

THE HOWICK MOTOR 'BUS AND BAD ROADS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —One of the most astonishing things we see so often —too often—in the colony is that the people arc not more alive to their own interest in the matter of having good roads within their several local districts. Everyone complains, but still they plod on. and on. through ruts and widely-scattered metal and mud, the wear and tear and toil amounting to a very large indirect tax ou men, horses, vehicles, clothes and shoe leather, besides standing in their own light by allowing their lands and properties to be much depreciated in value through want of access to and through the neighbourhood. One instance of this shortsighted policy is \erv- apparent iv the ease of the Howiek, Pakuranga. and Paparoa Road Boards. These local bodies are by nature endowed with the most beautiful and pleasant outlet to the south-east from tlie ever-growing and crowded city, and seemingly not alive to the fact, or they would endeavour to make the fine country lying in this direction more easy of access. Last summer a few publicspirited citizens assembled together and established a first-rate motor bus' service, which at first (before the real wet weather set iv) proved itr.elf*a marked success, conveying many Thousands of people quickly and cheaply (Id per mile) to and from the city, the time saved being an immense saving and advantage. Then, as the wet season advanced, the roads not being in anything like proper order, and when repaired, hastily and clumsily done, the rubber tyres were cut to pieces by the loose and* scattered scoria and the deep ruts. Iron tyres were then tried, but were found to be unfit; besides, they destroyed the roads as well, the consequence being the motor service had to be withdrawn altogether till the summer months arrive, to the great inconvenience of the districts interested and tbe public generally, the Boards being severely criticised. What is wanted is for Hoards to combine.and raise a loan which only needs a small tax for interest and "sinking fund over a long period, then, with plenty of suitable metal aud a firstclass horse road-roller, which could be used by all the Boards all the year round for main and by-roads, and "with hard smoothed surface road with ample camber the water would lie in the tables and preserve the roads all winter. It has been proved over and over again that no local body nor municipality nor Government in any country can exist decently, not to "say comfortably, without drawing upon "the future. Current revenue can never do more than cobble and patch from hand to mouth, which, besides beiug unsatisfactory, is extravagant. Will some man of means and influence take this matter in hand?—l am, etc J. M. GELLING.