NORTH ISLAND ROADS.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 214, 8 September 1921, Page 9

NORTH ISLAND ROADS.

NEW TAUPO ROUTE. OTHER PROPOSALS. The Auckland Automobile Association general committee last night took no action regarding a letter sent by Mr. E. E. Vaile, of Bioadlands, Waiotapu, emphasising the importance of the proposed new road between Waiotapu and Taupo. This new road had been surveyed by the Government, and would reduce the present road distance by six miles, linking up Rotorua, Waiotapu, Taupo, and the snow mountains in one continuous run composed of several etraight stretches, each with very easy angles, and making one of the finest tourist routes in the world. The cost had been estimated at £8000, but Mr. Vaile thought it could be?done cheaper. It was pointed out by members that the policy of the Association should be Tather to fill exieting gaps than to duplicate route 3, and a road to Taupo existed already. Mr. G. Henning eaid the road over the Bangiriri Hills should first be repaired, and the president, 'Mr. TV. Coltman. thought that if the new Taupo road would not prejudice construction at Kangiriri it was worthy of eupport.

The Hawke'e Bay Association wrote saying it would be pleased to work in line with Auckland regarding the Lieh-field-Atiamuri dpviation. and Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works), said he would give careful attention to the representations of the Auckland Association regarding tlio stoppage of thic work. The Minister also stated that he ■would keep the resident engineer in funds to continue the route known a= the Awakino Valley Power Road, on which expenditure totalling £11,000 had been authorised eince March of last year. But the Minister was not prepared to consider repairing the Rangiriri Hills Road to give work to unemployed, as this appeared to be maintenance work, for which the local body interested wae responsible. The Taumarunui Association also wrote asking Auckland to lie represented at a further conference regarding the proposed deviation of the almost universally accepted main route through the middle of the >"orth Island from Auckland to 'Wellington, for a route via the West Coast. Ko action was taken.