A NATIONAL HIGHWAY

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 131, 5 June 1919, Page 3

A NATIONAL HIGHWAY

THE PAEKAKARIKI SECTION

NEW ROUTES SUGGESTED,

A strong supporter of tho proposal for a national highway from Auckland to the Bluff as a war memorial is Mr. •W. H. Field, M.P. He is particularly interested in that section of the road which would pass through his own district — the Otaki electorate. Speaking to a Post reporter to-day, Mr. Field said that for years it had been plain that the Paekakariki Hill road was quite unfit for the motor traffic it was required to carry. The National Highway proposed was on the lines of those laid down in other countries, including France, and especially America. In America there were two national highways, from ocean to ocean, over which motors could travel at thirty miles an hour, including stops. From north to south, there were fine, great roads. The various States all | connected their roadway systems with i these national highways. No attempt J was made to serve towns with the national roads; in fact, for preference they kept clear of tlie \ towns. Such a national highway could be constructed from end to end of the North Island and end to end of the South. At various centres plots of land could be set apart, and planted, preferably -with native trees, and substantial monuments could be erected, to keep green the memory of the men in that locality who gave their lives in the war. The value of a good road was much greater now than.former- | ly, because of the demands of motor traffic. A recent distinguished visitor from America had said that the motor was the greatest blessing the United States had ever known, because it had made good roads a necessity. Ordinary roads would not stand the wear of motor traffic, and better construction was essential. . The Paekakariki Hill road was impossible as a section of the national highway. Mr. Field said he had induced the Government, with the assistance of the county council, to improve the road, so as to make it, reasonably safe for the time being. They ivould 'widen it and ease the grades in places. At the dangerous places either a substantial fence or a concrete kerb wall would be erected, to prevent accidents. But this would not remove the main complaints against the road, and alternative routes were therefore being sought. One was by way of Pukerua, following practically the present line, and rising to a maximum height of 300 ft. That would save about 600 ft of climb (tho present road is almost 900 ft above sea level at its highest point), and it would also save four miles in distance. The. recent statement by Mr. Hiley that- the Paekakariki section could not continue to be used as a portion of the Main Trunk line suggested that the present line might be abandoned, and the railway be.constructed round the beach on the level. If that were done, possibly the present line would be devoted to motor purposes. There was another route which Mr. Field purposed inspecting in a few days' time. It was suggested in this case that, instead of crossing the harbour at Paremata with a big traffic 'bridge, beside the railway bridge, the road should follow the present route to Pahautanui, shortening the distance by cutting out the bends, and on to a point three miles past Pahautanui. There it would lead up the valley and over a low saddle, coming out at Wainui, an old Maori settlement about a mile,north of Paekakariki. That route, it was suggested, would be of moderate grade, and would not present any considerable difficulties in construction.