Says Onus Of Roads Is On Local Bodies

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 4

Says Onus Of Roads Is On Local Bodies

KAIKOHE, Thu. (Sp.).—“l think that, on reflection, you will agree the major responsibility for the condition of roads in the Far North rests with the local bodies.” It was in this confident vein that the Minister of Works (Mr R. Semple) concluded a pleasant and tactfully-worded letter to the Kaikohe Chamber of Commerce in answer to representations regarding the state of the Kaikohe-Ohaeawai main highway.

The chamber had written direct to the Prime Minister, who had referred its letter to the Minister of Works. Mr Semple began by recalling that recently the PWD district engineer (Mr L. May) had addressed the chamber on main highways and, in respect of the relative responsibility for maintenance of the various types of roads, had made clear the positions of the Main Highways Board and the local bodies. Mr Semple said it was stated that the Kaikohe chamber had admitted that the condition of the state highways was excellent but had complained concerning main highways, the control of which has been delegated by the Main Highways Board to the local body, namely, the Bay of Islands County Council, and concerning county roads controlled by that council. “The position generally is that, as a result of the inadequate maintenance, the condition of roads in the area has been delegated by the Main Highways Board to the local body, namely, the Bay of . Islands County Council, and concerning county roads controlled by that council. “The position generally is that, as a result of the inadequate maintenance, the condition of roads in the area has deteriorated to an undesirable degree,” wrote Mr Semple. “In preparing the 10-year programme the costs of restoring these classes of roads were indicated as £IOOO per mile for main highways and £SOO per mile for county roads. Until deterioration is arrested these figures will increase from year to year. KAIKOHE-OHAEAWAI ROAD The Minister said he understood that the road about which the Kai-

kohe chamber was • most concerned was the Kaikohe-Ohaeawai section of the Waimamamku-Ohaeawai main highway, over which most of the traffic from Kaikohe passed in making connection with the Whangarei-Awa-nui state highway. “Recently the Bay of Islands County Council requested that the Main Highways Board should take over reconstruction of this stretch of main highway, but if the board were to undertake the work it would mean diverting an equivalent amount of energy from fhe state highways reconstruction.”, He then concluded with his reflection that the major responsibility for condition of roads in the Far North rested with the local bodies. Apart from appreciation of the helpful tone of the Minister’s letter, chamber members did not discuss the subject. A copy of the reply will be forwarded to the Bay of Islands County Council.