ALL-YEAR-ROUND ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 23

ALL-YEAR-ROUND ROAD.

LINK WITH WHANGAREI. OPENING UP THE NORTH. HIGHWAY BOARD'S PROGRAMME. Whangarei and Auckland will possibly be linked tip, before next winter, by an "all-year-round" road. Over £70,000 was spent on the work last year, and during the present season it is proposed by the Main Highways Board to provide a substantial amount for further work. This information was received by the council of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce this afternoon in response to representations three months ago that the board should expedite better road communications between Hamilton and Whangarei.

Delegates from the provincial chambers of cominerco passed a resolution during their June conference urging the Government to push forward the highway for opening the areas north of Auckland. Mr. F. W. Furkert, chairman ■of the Main Highways Board, replied in a letter before the council of the chamber to-dav.

The board had in hand a definite scheme for linking up Auckland and Whangarei by metalled road, stated Sir. Furkert. On the Main South Road between Auckland and Hamilton the board had in hand tlie surfacing of the Rangiriri Hills section, a length o£ about 17 miles. Negotiations with the Waikato and Waipa County Councils with regard to surfacing between Ohinewai and Hamilton have been finalised and negotiations were at present in train with the Franklin County Council, in respect of the section in that county. Further•more, during the past two years, the board had carried out extensive widening works throughout the long length of this highway. Perhaps the June conference had in mind the completion of the whole of the works in one year, but not only would such a proposal be phyiscally impossible, but the scheme would involve the allocation to this one road of the whole of the capital funds available for expenditure in the North Island. The chambers of commerce could rest assured that the board was well aware of the necessity for improvements to this road and the work was being carried out as quick!)' as finances were available.