Metalling the Far North Highway

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 9

Metalling the Far North Highway

Mr C. W. Boswell, M.R. for Bay of Islands, has received a letter from the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, referring to representations made by Mr Boswell on behalf of the Mangonui County Council and ratepayers in the Houhora riding, in connection with the Far North Road. The letter reads: —

“The road has now been metalled to 11:1 miles north of Waipapakauri. that is, to a point nine miles south of Houhora. The unmetalled gap extends from there to a point eight miles north of Hohoura, making the total unmetalled section about 17 miles long. “When the. Estimates for the present financial year were being prepared, it was not possible to provide sufficient funds to complete the whole of the metalling yet required on this road, and the position now is that such funds as are available will be needed for metalling work on the road south of Te Kao.

“Some funds must be conserved to strengthen any weaknesses which may develop on the comparatively newlyopened work at Wairahi, immediately south of Te Kao. In all probability additional improvements will be carried out on the formation between Hohoura and Waipapakauri before winter, and if there is sufficient money available, the surface will be strengthened by applying a course of compressed sand to certain lengths of the road, where difficulty is experienced in wet weather.

“Investigations which will prove or disprove the existence of metal deposits other than the one dependable source of supply now in sight are essential, and in fact are now being made. In these circumstances, I cannot at the moment give you a favourable reply to the representations which you have made to mei on behalf of the Mangonui County Council and the ratepayers and residents of the Far Northern Peninsula, but you may rest assured that the metalling of this road will be given further careful consideration when the Estimates for the next financial year are being prepared.”