ROAD MAINTENANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 138, 13 June 1929, Page 11

ROAD MAINTENANCE.

HAMILTON-NGARUAWAHIA

SECTION.

HIGHWAYS BOARD SUPPORTED.

Arising from, the refusal of the Waipa County Council to accept the offer of the Main Highways Board of a subsidy'of £3 for £1 for reconstruction, a.lengthy discussion took place among members of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening. .Several members, mentioned the slack maintenance of the highway between' Hamilton' and- Ngaruawahia. Mr. M. H. Wynyard, motorists' representative on the Main Highways Board, said the board had treated the Waipa County Council very liberally, but, pending a settlement of 'the reconstruction scheme lor the section, tlic board would insist on adequate maintenance. "The ratepayers of the county appear to consider that the Hamilton-Ngarua-wahia Road is of little internal use," said Mr. Wynyard. "There is yet no linality to the reconstruction scheme, and until a decision is reached the road will have to be kept in creditable order. The board knows that the road is not being maintained up to the standard which the public is entitled to expect.- . If maintenance is not satisfactory the board will have no hesitation in exercising its powers. The board has the power to take extreme steps and to direct the work and recover a share from the local body. If the board offered a higher subsidy than £3 to £1, other bodies would take the same attitude. The board is determined to remain firm in the matter. Mr. A. Grayson, chairman: There seems to be a determined move by local bodies to. break down the Highways Board's policy. If the board had offered £4 to £1 the Waipa County might have wanted £5 to £1. If maintenance is not attended to we might notify this as a dangerous road. After further discussion it was decided to support the Highways Board in its stand on the subsidy to urge insistence on adequate maintenance. The Hamilton agency of the association was authorised to bring the views of motorists before the ratepayers of the county.