WAIPU-MANGAWAI ROUTE

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1934, Page 14

WAIPU-MANGAWAI ROUTE

CLOSING OF GAP 1 i 21 MILES UNMETALLED j EFFORTS OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | The unmetalled gap on the Waipu- j A£angawai road claimed the attention | of members of the WQiangarei Gharu- j ber of Commerce at its meeting on | Friday night, . ! An outline of the position was given by Mr A. J. Murdoch, M.P. “This section has been under consideration for a lengthy period, and has been nipped off bit by bit,” said Mr Murdoch, “'but still about 21 miles remains ■ undone. ” Representations wore ' made to the Minister of Public Works and to the local Public. Works Engineer, who rendered two estimates, firstly £2OOO and later £BOO, for the completion of the work, but other -roads were considered more important as this did not give access to settlers without an outlet. However, continued Mr Murdoch, the Public Works Minister, the engineer and officers were investigating the position, and hopes Avere hold for the raising of the £BOO to get the work tinder way. Corners would have to be improved, but this could easily be. done in the winter. As it was, the money would not be available till the end of the financial year, March 31. Mr Murdoch adAdsed the Chamber to interview the Minister on his A*isit here. Mi*. C. V, Stringer declared that several Mangawai residents Avould do their business in Whangarei if the, road were available. ,Mr .1, Richardson said that about four years ago Mr Murdoch had adAised not to class this piece of road as a secondary highway. Ho informed members that several small sections had been done with the settlers' oavu money, but still two miles remained. Mr Murdoch said good strides had been made in metalling. No backblocks fund existed, and all money had to be drawn from the Public Works Department fund, which this year had been cut, down. HoAvever, the road should be completed Avithin a foAV months. Mr T, Mitchell inquired if any substantial OAddenee Avere aA*ailable that shopping would be done in Whangarei , if the road were completed. \ In, reply, Mr Stringer said seA'oral settlers had made promises in that direction. They now secured their needs in Whangarei in the summer, but, owing to. their being shut in, had to journey to Warkworth in the winter. As the Minister Avould be in Wliangarei in March, Air Stringer adA'ised that the. Chamber get in touch Avith Messrs Has tie and McKay, the two riding members, and leaAu* it to Mr Murdoch to make arrangements for an interview. . This course was decided upon.