RIDGEWAY DRIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 3

RIDGEWAY DRIVE.

NEW . ROADING PROPOSAL ENGAGEMENT OF 400 MEN. CITY COUNCIL CONCURRENCE. . Arising out of the resolution of a conference of representatives of the Waitemata County Council and other interested parties, that an endeavour should be made to have the Unemployment Board place 400 men in the ranges for the purpose of constructing the Waitakere ridgeway drive, and that the Public Works Department should supervise the work if undertaken, reports were presented to last night's meeting of the City Council.

The waterworks engineer recommended that no objection be offered to the scheme if satisfactory arrangements could be made to safeguard the' city's interests when; the route touched waterworks property. Portion of the route followed tho .Exhibition Drive, which, from the filters to Mackie's Rest, was a private strip of land belonging to the waterworks and in use as a pipe track. To make this suitable for two-way traffic the water main would require lowering or setting back in many places at a cost of approximately £200. He recommended that reimbursement be insisted upon . for expenses incurred in connection with moving the main, private telephone lines, fences, etc. He further recommended that no more bush be cut than was absolutely necessary for the formation work; that where the road was on the ridge the drainage from the water tables should be carried to the eastern side and not on to the catchment; and that recognised picnicking sites with fireplaces be established.

Suitable for Unemployed. The town planning committee recommended the adoption of the waterworks engineer's report, the Waitemata County Council to be advised accordingly. The committee further recommended: "That the council consider this a suitable work for unemployed labour and facilitate such work by transferring that portion of the Auckland City Council's land required for the road (which also embraces the Exhibition Drive), provided the Waitemata County Council will dedicate same, and that the Waitemata County Council be further notified that the council regrets that it is unable to accept any; financial responsibility for construction, maintenance, fencing or any cost connected with the work." The committee's recommendations were adopted. Alternative Drive. The city engineer (Mr. J. Tyler) reported in respect to a suggestion by Mr. A.. J. Jintrican, to the effect, that consideration should be given to the construction of a drive on an alternative route on the southern side of the Nihotupu Ridge. The whole work, said the engineer, would be within the watershed area of the upper Nihotupu and proposed lower Nihotupu reservoirs, and lie was strongly of opinion that such a drive should not be advocated by the council. The report was adopted.