PROPOSED STOCK ROUTE.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 63, 4 June 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

PROPOSED STOCK ROUTE.

LOCAL BODIES CONFER. REPORT TO BE MADE. The need for a stock route between the Waikato and Westfield was stressed at a conference of local bodies held at the Papakura Town Board office on Friday afternoon. There were present representatives of the Franklin and Manukau County Councils, Manurewa and Papakura Town Boards,’ Messrs M. 11. Wvnyard (Main Highways Board), F. S. Dyson (Public Works engineer) and A. Grayson (Automobile Association, Auckland). Mr H. E. McEntee, chairman of the Papakura Town Board, presided.

Mr J. N. Massey, M.P., who convened the meeting, gave an outline of two proposals by the Franklin County Council, while Mr J. F. McArthur produced a plan showing the two routes. The first one was to lay out, a route commencing at the southern boundary of the county at Mangatawhiri and go through the Mangatawhiri Valley past Mr R. 11. McKenzie’s property into Happy Valley, then through Hunua, coming out to the Manukau county’s boundarynear Clevedon. This was a length of about 19 miles. This would serve both the Waikato and Hauraki Plains. The other route would go up the old Razorback to Bombay, along Ramarama road to Opaheke, over Red Hill to the southern boundary of Manukau county.

Mr Dyson said he thought a route was wanted, but the Public Works Department would go further back and have a route nearly 70 miles long. This would commence at Tauhei and go to Mangatawhiri Valley, via Waerenga, and then into Brookby, reaching the Great South road at the Tamaki bridge. The question of another bridge over the Tamaki would have to be discussed at a later date.

Mr F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau County Council, said that his county was already carrying a big burden. The proposed bridge would cost about £24,000 and unless fliere was some sound scheme to share the costs, his county would not look favourably on any scheme.

Messrs W. T. Cox (Manurewa Town Board), McEntee and Wvnyard also spoke in favour of a new route. It was decided to appoint a committee consisting of the chairmen of the local bodies represented to prepare a report for a later meeting.