IN GOOD CONDITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 115, 11 April 1930, Page 11

IN GOOD CONDITION

ROADS ROUND PALMERSTON NORTH. ACTIVITY IN PAVING. The more important roads in the vicinity of Palmerston North are now in a very fair condition. Though the dry weather has caused pot-holes in the gravel roads, no ruts are in evidence, which shows that the foundations aro in good ordor. A brief inspection of the roads was made yesterday by the engineer to the Kairanga County Council, Mr J. E. Menziee. who was accompanied by a “Standard” reporter. The unsealed portions of KairangaBunnythorpe Road are beginning to show signs of wear. This matter was raised at the last meeting of the council when it was decided to ascertain whether the Main Highways Board would subsidise the tar-sealing, at an approximate cost of £3500, of the two mile stretch between the Kairanga School and Nathan’s corner, as this is a subsidiary highway. Increasing numbers of Kairanga settlers are using Rangitikei Line instead of the Long-burn-Rongotea Road as the former is tar-sealed, This causes heavier wear on the cross roads, Kairanga-Bunny-thorpe Road, No. 4 Line and Aorangi Road, which are becoming rather corrugated. The Kairanga portions of the main highway following the railway between Palmerston North and Feilding' are in very fair order. The Oroua County Council aro tar-sealing their portions and the Kairanga County Council will probably follow suit in the near future. A contretemps in connection with this road has fortunately been smoothed out. The road reserve between the Aorangi bridge and the Taonui level railway crossing was originally only 40 feet in width. By some mistake the Kairanga County Council fenced off a chain, thus encroaching on the railway reserve. The error was not discovered for many years and the road formation was put on the railway side of the reserve. The council did not feel prepared to pave'this road while part of it was on railway property. However, the department has now given • the strip or land to the council. Great activity lias been shown in paving operations round Palmerston North. The Kairanga County Council was one of the first local bodies in this district to enter upon this wont, and some years ago Rangitikei Line to Aewbury was tar-sealed. Last vear the remaining three and a-half miles to the county boundary on the bridge across the Oroua River was completed. The Manawatu County Council have also been busy on this work and the road front Palmerston North to the Rangitikei boundary is now sealed with tlie exception of a short stretch on Mount Stewart. The Kairanga County Council have recently completed the paving of the Woodvdle Road to the boundary and this highway is now sealed right through the Gorge and many miles beyond. Nino and a-quarter miles of Foxton Lino are within the Kairanga County and just over three miles of this stretch were sealed a few years ago. A further three and a-half miles were completed last year, while the work on the remaining length is being undertaken now. The paved surface sliould extend from Palmerston North to Rangiotu by June. The Manawatu County Council intend sealing the portion between Foxton and Himatangi in the near luturo so that there will soon be only a comparatively small stretch of gravel road. .. . The only other important highways leaving Palmerston aVortli aro the Linton and Tokomaru Road, paving proposals for which have not yet come forward, and Milson’s Line. The Kairanga County Council have been endeavouring for some get this latter road declared a subsidiary highway, but have so far been unsuccessful. Another application has now been made.