BAD MAIN ROADS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3098, 31 May 1917, Page 6

BAD MAIN ROADS

PAEKAKAIUKI AND KIMUTAKA. ; Sir-Tlie absolutely dangerous cou-j diuou of- the road ow mc lUrautaKa*; must have appealed to all tlioso wiio ; uave hud reason to use it at uuy. time,, ami tins has been accentuattd siuco tU& storm water- during the reccut rainscaused several wash-outs on tlie \\aira-> rapa side of the hill, This state of atfairs and tho recent accidents on lac-; kakariki bring the matter of arterial: road under particular notice at the present time. Hero aio two roads which are the only outlets from Wellington,' both of them highly dangerous and both capable of being made quite sale it labour is used on them. Both roacfci should be made double their -present; width; in other words, amply wide for; vehicles to pass comfortably at any. point, and one-third wider at all bends. Labour is at present scarce and consequently dear, but this condition is likely to.be worse rather than better, so that tho matter of improving thesoi road* should not be delayed "until cost of labour recedes." I suggest that the authorities take the matter of these two roads in hand at once and men from tho internment camp at t-omes Island to do the necessary work, .tho road to the Wairarapa can be classed as a military necessity, and the lackakalilei is verv little less important. H liilei their brethren are doing their bcsr._ to destroy life in the Old World those tiermans could hardly be bitter employed hero than doing work which .will safeguard lifo here. There is, of course tlifficultv in arranging suitable camps in tho vicinities under notice, but difficulties "are only met to be overcome. Put the work in hand under the Public Works Department, leaving the military authorities to look after the camp arrangements—excellent work for thosa drawn for home service. I trust, this matter will be taken «i> bv tho local authorities responsible for the iinkeep of these roads, and also bv. the Wellington and Wairarapa Automobile Associations.—l am. etc., ' G. H. POWNAHi'. May 2S.