NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 241, 11 October 1929, Page 9

NORTHERN HIGHWAY.

MORE DELAY FEARED.

COUNCIL DISAPPOINTED.

"BREACH OF FAITH."

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this clay

"Unless this work is completed within three years of being started, the Highways Board will have committed a breach of faith with the Whangarci County Council." said Mr. F. Elliott at a> County Council meeting to-day, when an intimation was received from the chairman of the District Highways Board that probably the only work which could be done this year on the Otongato county boundary section of the Whangarei-Kawakawa main highway will be the completion of bridges. The clerk reported having been told by the chairman of the Highway Council that, in view of the reduction in the construction funds for North Auckland from £.30,000 to £30,000, it was very doubtful whether sufficient money would be available to complete even the bridges. Mr. Elliott said he was particularly disappointed, for, when the Highways Board visited the district recently, the importance of an all-weather route to the North was urged upon them. The board was asked at that time to undertake the financing of the work, as in other places, allowing the council to contribute £1000 a year. The board had given an understanding that it viewed the representations in a favourable light. ' *As things were, the only gateway through the North was over the Jordan route,° which was being cut to pieces by extraordinary traffic. The chairman said that for some time the District Highways Council considered the Kawakawa route should be preferred to the Mangakahia route, as it was a main through road. Evidently the Highways Board had not taken the slightest notice of the representations, neither had the board given the county a "fair spin" in regard to the financing proposal, which would expedite the completion of the road fo two years. Those who wished to travel North and also the settlers would be cut off until the road was completed. They were anxious for expedition, but it now looked as though they would have to wait anothei- two years. Referring to the allocation decrease, Mr. Webb said: "As usual, a severe cut is being made in the distribution of public money for the North." He explained that the Highways Council had favoured concentration upon the completion of the road to the North, and two miles remained to be done on the Kawakawa route, whereas there were five miles and a half fyet to be finished in the Manaakahia Gorge. Mr. Elliott, referring to the Prime Minister's assurance that every man would be provided with wtork, said he was afraid some of the undertakings proposed were by no means productive and were never likely to be. He thought that such important works as the completion of a, highway, which would give an immediate return, should be concentrated upon hi providing work ! for unemployed, instead of being relegated to the background.

It was resolved to make very strong representations to the Highway? Board for the completion of the gateway to the North. ■ ■ . \