THE ARTERIAL ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15261, 27 March 1913, Page 5

THE ARTERIAL ROADS.

NEED FOR STATE CONTROL.

POSITION IN THE NORTH.

In view of the disgraceful condition of the main roads in the Auckland Province, it has been urged that it is the duty of the Government, to take over control of these roads, and place them in proper order to meet the requirements of a growing population. The matter was referred yesterday to the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. 0. J. Parr).

' During the Easter holidays the Mayor paid a holiday visit to Helensville, and he was very painfully impressed with the state of the Great North Road from Auckland to the Northern district. Deep ruts in the road were frequently met with, making travelling by motor-car or any other vehicle quite an unpleasant experience. This being so in the summer season it needs little imagination to realise what the road must be like in the winter.

"Nor is it possible," said the Mayor," "for the local bodies on the route, who are all poor, to form, metal, and maintain the road as a main trunk road should be maintained. The City Council," he continued, "suggested to Mr. Massey some two months ago that the time had arrived when the Government, should take over the maintenance of the main thoroughfares. This is ; the only possible remedy for the bad state of things that exists. The local bodies between Auckland and Helensville have their hands full in providing for side roads and tracks in the rapidly-growing settlements of the North. "I was much struck." proceeded the Mayor, "with the fact that land which 10 years ago was considered worthless had been taken up by enterprising settlers, particularly between ; Helensville and Kumeu, and the young grass on these once despised Northern lands looks extremely well. I saw cattle and sheep grazing, on : the farms, and they appeared in excellent condition, notwithstanding the drought that has been, experienced this summer. Excellent orchards can be seen all along the road, furnishing proof positive that all the Northern land is amenable to cultivation and capable Of profitable use.-' "The settlers," the Mayor went on, "are' a fine class of men, full of grit and determination, and they should be given the benefit of first-class roads, apart from the needs of tourists." Mr. Parr proceeded to say that good main roads were* as;.necessary for the farmer as for the ordinary motorist. It was only a question of another 15 or 20 years when farmers! would • use motordriven vehicles instead of buggies or waggonettes. Already in England small motor-cars to seat two people, and capable of a speed of 25 miles an hour, could be obtained for £90 or £100. Probably "in" a little time this price would be considerably reduced, so. that in a few years farmers might get small mdtorrdriven vehicles for a little more than they, now pay for an ordinary vehicle. The horse was going out in the -city in favour of motor traction, and the same tendency was noticeable even in the country. In Canterbury to-day a large number of farmers used small motor-cars, which resulted in a great saving of time and money. All this indicated one thing, namely, thatgood main trunk roads were absolutely essential to the farmer, - and these roads must be the care of the central authority. [;. ':