TO PREVENT FLOODING

Northern Advocate, 28 June 1935, Page 3

TO PREVENT FLOODING

HIGHWAY TO FAR NORTH BETTER STANDARD REQUIRED. INCONVENIENCE TO TRAFFIC. At the conference of the North Auckland Associated Chambers, of Commerce, held yesterday, the .following remit was introduced by Kaitaia. — That this conference of the North Auckland Chambers of Commerce strongly urges on the Alain Highways Board the need for bringing the full length of the No. 1 highway up to highway standard and raising the low-lying sections above normal flood level before extensive works are undertaken on other highways. We would request that work on the sections subject to flooding be put in hand at once as these sections have been the cause of numerous traffic and mail delays during the past year, this causing considerable annoyance and expense to business houses and the general public. We ponsider that the No. 1 highway should be treated as a national undertaking and the work carried out by the Highways i Board as it is beyond the finances of the local authorities. “The need has become even greater than before,” said Mr W. Berry (Kaitaia), in , moving the remit. “There have been more holds-up in the past twelve months than ever before.” “This opens up a very large subject,” said Mr F, A, Jones (Dargaville). “The same propositions would apply to all highways throughout New Zealand. I agree regarding the desirability of improving the road, particularly the raising of low sections. That is reasonable and possible, but to ask for more would get us nowhere.” Mr J. G. Barclay said that if the Highways Board was receiving the full revenue from petrol taxation, such major works could be undertaken, but as Ihings were, it would be better to confine the requests.

The desirability of a main trunk highway through New Zealand and the Far Northern end becoming an all-weather route,, was advocated by Mr Guy. After every heavy rain inquiries had to be made as to whether access was possible to the chief centres of the North.

Mr C. V. Stringer said the main fault in the Northern highway system was the low-lying districts. The long settled North was still divided into two sections after heavy rain when travelling became a nightmare. To concentrate upon this most important aspect, Kaitaia agreed to the elimination of the final clause asking that the work be treated as a national undertaking, and the remit in its amended form was carried.

At a later stage Mr Barclay moved that the Government be asked to return the mil petrol tax to the Main Highways Board and that the latter part of the Kaitaia remit be reinstated.

Seconding, Mr Berry, claimed that No. 1 highway was truly national, as its official designation was AwanuiWellington, via Taranaki. As in America, such a trunk highway should be a charge on the state. The remit ’ was carried.