KIHIKIHI-ARAPUNI ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 58, 10 March 1927, Page 12

KIHIKIHI-ARAPUNI ROAD.

SHOULD BE A MAIN HIGHWAY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday. Support for the Waipa County Council in its request to the Main Highways Board that the road from Kihikihi to Arapuni should be declared a main highway was decided npon at the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce meeting last evening. The Main Highways Board, replying to representations urging that the road from Te Awamutu Borough boundary to the Kawa West sub-station be declared a main highway as it gives the most direct access to Kawhia and western districts, said that the board annually reviews all such requests, and Te Awamutu's representations would be filed for consideration on the next occasion wMn the board is reviewing the whole position.

Mr. Battson brought up the subject of the road access to Arapuni. The Auckland Automobile Association, of which he is the local representative, had written pointing out that there is £960 available, by way of county contribution and Government subsidy, for expenditure here in metalling a further portion of the road beyond Pukeatua. But there is not sufficient money available to metal the full length, leaving about two miles unimproved. It was asked that the chamber discuss ways and means of providing the additional money necessary to complete the metalling. Continuing, Mr. Battson said he had desired to form one of a deputation from the chamber to the county council, with a view to discussing the problem. The settlers at the further end of the riding were struggling along, and though they have bad roads they are not in a position to contrioute to the cost of improvements. The riding is a very extensive one, embracing much native land. Crown land, and only partly improved land, and therefore of low rating value. Could the settlers be helped in any way to get a road that would be useful alike to them and to travellers, traders, and tourists? A general discussion ensued, in which it was suggested that perhaps the A.A.A. would offer a subsidy on moneys expended on improving the two miles referred to. Another suggestion was that the A.A.A. might actively support the county council in its representations to have the Kihikihi-Arapuni road declared a main highway. This found favour, and it was decided to ask the A.A.A. to take ie matter up with the Main Highways , e chamber also undertaking to samo J POSBib,y can to advance the same cause. tinlw?K eeognsse d tha * Arapuni is desin thp v 10 a * Very show place Ekei/ZZS and whe " the huge lake is created the locality will be much used as a picnic and canipin" ground bv people from near and far A fair ml? 11 j t'lS w " e .»S