Hutt-Waikanae Road.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 28 January 1921, Page 4

Hutt-Waikanae Road.

BRIDGES THE CHIEF DIFFICULTY

A report on the Hutt-Waikanao Road was presented to thd Central Progress League on Holiday night by Mr G. Mitchell, M.P. “1 visited this road, now in course of construction, on January 14,” Mr Mitchell stated. "The formation work is being pushed on, and at the present rate of progress should be completed by the end of July next. The road if of very good grade and width, through magniliccnt bush scenery, and when completed will be one of the finest roads in New Zealand. The old formation approaching at the Waikanac and Hutt Valley t ends are poor in comparison with the portion now under construction in the centre, and a good deal of expenditure is required on these old formations in the way of widening and taking off the sharp angles before the road could bo considered a" decent thoroughfare. When this is done it will complete a fine road from Wellington to Waikanae.

“There are several bridges, one of considerable size, to be constructed. But no material is on the ground, and as far**as I can learn none is available for this work. Unless the bridges are pushed on at once, all the construction work will 1m completed and the road remain useless on account of the lack of bridges. “It is estimated that with all the material on the spot, it would take six months lo complete the bridges. It will, therefore, be seen how necessary it is to push on with them. I learn that the timber has not yet been ordered, and tha,t it has been impossible to secure supplies of Australian hardwood. and cement is not available to build them of reinforced concrete. “Prom .'hi to 40 men are on the works. They seemed a particularly good class of men, mostly on contract work and earning fair money. Ail seemed contented and satisfied with the conditions and treatment.”

Mr IV. 11. Field, M.l > ~ raid tliafc in order to preserve the beautiful bush he had purchased practically all the bush laud on the Waikanae side, while the Government had acquired that on the Akatarawa side. He would not be sorry to sec the Government lake over Ids purchase at cost, but he had thought it well to make sure that the bush was not lost to -the country.