THE NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 22 December 1926, Page 21

THE NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

(To tie Editor.) Sir, —I write ■ regarding a gross injustice that is being done to settlers and njotorists wishing to go north of Auckland. There are three routes available, but from 92 to 95 per cent of the motorists prefer to use the route via Dcvonport. The others, use either the western route or the route via Birkenhead. At an official count, 75 per cent of the traffic on the first-named road proved to be foreign traffic, that is, traffic travelling right through the Waitemata County. The ratepayers of Takapuna Riding have rated themselves and the next generation, and have done more than their duty under great difficulties towards their portion of the road. The Highways Board, out of the taxes they have received, have made a very small grant. for maintenance, thus acknowledging . their responsibility, but the amount is quite insufficient to repair the damage this traffic has done since the board started hoarding the taxes. They are now about to declare the Birkenhead route a main highway, with the probability of lavish expenditure, notwithstanding that an overwhelming majority of settlers, and practically all the motorists going north, wish to retain the road via Devonport as the main route.—l am, etc., E. WRIGHT.