New Highways Wanted in Northland

Northern Advocate, 27 June 1939, Page 3

New Highways Wanted in Northland

Applications for adjustments and declarations were considered by the No. 1 District Highways Council at its meeting in Whangarei. Speaking on behalf of the Mangonui County Council for the declaration of the Waipapakauri- West Coast Road, Mr L. J. Matthews said the road formed an important link with the Ninety Mile Beach. The road, which was four miles in length, was practically confined to usage by tourists and visitors.

In times of stress or danger, it would I be a quick and additional communi- i eating link with the Far North. As the road carried practically all foreign traffic, the county council was keen to get the stretch included in the highway scheme, and he urged that the council should give the appli- ,• cation every consideration. He moved j that the council recommend that the j road be declared an ordinary main i highway, and further that the council i recommend classification and gazetting j of the road as a State highway. i The cnairman, Mr R. H. Packwood, district engineer of the Public Works Department, remarked that there was obviously unanimity among the members, and the motion was carried. The application by the Mangonuf County Council and Kaitaia Town Board for the exchange of Redan Road '» for the present route of the KaitaiaMotukaraka main highway was also recommended to the Main Highways Board.

Hokianga Requests.

The Hokianga County Council applied for the Horeke-Taheke and Horeke-Rangiahua roads to be declared main highways.

Supporting the application, Mr A. C. Yarborough said the roads would supply a connecting link between the north and south sides of the river, and he moved that the recommendation should go forward.

Mr H. Whangaroa County Council, remarking that the request was reasonable, seconded the motion, which was carried;

The Hokianga County Council also applied for the adjustment of the Waimamaku-Ohaeawai main highway by the substitution of the route via Opononi and Omapere in lieu of the present route. “The Hokianga County Council is very much embarrassed, and any assistance the Main Highways Board can give by taking over this road will be appreciated,” said the chairman. Several members spoke in favour of the recommendation of the application, stating that the road was mostly used by tourist traffic, and a motion to that effect was carried.

Tangiteroria-Waiotira Section,

The Hobson County Council applied for the declaration of the Tangiteroria-Pukehuia-Waiotira Road. The chairman remarked that the Tangiteroria-Pukehuia section had been before the council previously, but the Hobson County Council had now added a further, section, which he doubted would be favoured by the Whangarei County Council.

Mr F. Wordsworth, Hobson representative, said the road would provide a connection for settlers and would be an advantage to them.

'Mr Packwood suggested that the Hobson and Whangarei County Councils should confer on the question of the extra section, as it was a contentious matter, and bring the question before the next meeting. It was not competent for the council to deal with the extra section at the present time.

Mr R. Coates, Otamatea representative, believed the road should go right through, although he thought the Hobson council did not have “a dog’s chance” of getting such a small section declared.

Mr Packwood: I don’t think there is any need for you to be so pessimistic, Mr Coates. It is the sole recommendation brought forward by the Hobson County Council and that will be in its favour.

Scenic Route to Ngunguru

Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay, Whangarei representative, said he was prepared to second Mr Wordsworth in recommending the Tangiteroria section for declaration in order to assist Hobson. Ho thought the highway should be a connecting link, as Mr Wordsworth had

first proposed. Mr Wordsworth: The settlers at Omana and Pukehuia have to go a long way before they get on a main highway.

The recommendation of the Tangi-teroria-Pukehuia section was approved. “This is another example of a tourist road, the proportion of the local traffic being very small,” commented Mr Packwood, in referring to the Whangarei County Council’s application for the extension of the Kiripaka Bridge Road.

“This is portion of a fine coastal circuit, and I am glad to note, as well, that it is carrying a greater quantity of produce. It is Whangarei’s sole application, and would indicate that it is considered the most important work, but I think we should have a definite point regarding where it is proposed to go.” On Mr Packwood’s suggestion, Mr Mac Kay agreed that the application should be for an extension from Kiripaka to Ngunguru, a distance of about six miles.

Mr Mac Kay moved the recommendation of an extension for this distance. The road was used particularly by town people, who did not have their own vehicles, to get to the nearest beach. It carried heavy traffic, especially during the summer months, and he felt the council would be helping the people to spend a day at the beach.

The recommendation was approved

Ilukaterc-Tinopai Connection

The Otamatea County Council applied for the declaration of the Huka-tere-Tinopai Road, and the Taipuha Station Road. Mr Coates, however, withdrew the second application, as it was only a small road, and he wished to fall into line with other councils. In support of the Hukatere-Tinopai application, Mr Coates said that the road was largely used by visitors who went to Tinopai to enjoy the excellent fishing. The Main Highways Department was also using a quarry along the road, and the traffic was very heavy.

The recommendation was approved

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