GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 177, 28 July 1926, Page 11

GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

MANTJKATJ COUNTY PROPOSALS SUPPORT FROM PAPAKURA J, VALLEY. . 3 y A representative meeting of the Papakura Valley ratepayers met the chairman of the Manukau County Council (Mr. F. M. Waters), the county engineer (Mr J. R. Page) and the riding member (Mr. C. S. McCallum) in the Alfriston Public Hall on Tuesday afternoon, to discuss the council's proposal to raise a loan of £10,500 for paving 186 chains. of the Great South Road through the Papakura riding. This is the third section of the road controlled by the council to be put before the various ridings concerned, the other two having reached a stage where tenders for concreting work aro to ba called immediately. Mr. McCallum introduced Mr. F. M. Waters, and at his suggestion the latter occupied the chair. The chairman outlined the financial position which had arisen owing to the Highways Board's attitude. "The subsidy granted by the Highways Board, representing 50 per cent of the estimated cost of a bituminous road," said Mr. Waters, "makes it very hard for the board to explain away the preference tt has shown to northern local bodies." In the course of his address the chairman pointed out the possibilities of the Papakura Valley as a source of the city's milk supply wheu quick transport is assured. The engineer tendered helpful information on tecomcal phases of the subject. Various ratepayers spoke in support of the proposal, although one considered that the paving of the main road would mean much additional traffic for tho side roads, and consequently heavier •maintenance. Mr. C. S. McCallum urged the meeting to support the proposals, tlie inclusion of the Wairoa riding providing "a chance of a lifetime." He also dwelt on the subject of valuation, admitting that the valuations covering the greater part of the district were much too high. Several ratepayers concurred with him in this respect. On Mr. J. Muir"s motion, seconded by Mr. W. Chadwin, it was unanimously decided to support the concrete proposals. A representative committee was formed to canvass the district ou the day of the poll.