NATIONAL HIGHWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17881, 8 September 1921, Page 5

NATIONAL HIGHWAYS.

CONNECTION WlTM* ; ¥*tiW& , PROPOSED FEW V ROAEt 3 THE RANGIRIRI «SWAMP. *

Several communications in regard to main road construction matters were read at the meeting of the general committed of the Auckland Automobile Association last evening.

Mr. E. E. Vail e, of Broadlands,. Waiotapu, wrote drawing attention to the importance of the proposed new road oetween Waiotapu and Tanpo, which nad been surveyed by the Government. The route, he said, reduced the distance by six miles, traversed level country, and had several straight rung of several miles, each with very easy angles. There would be no large bridge, as the route avoided the Waikato River. If this road were made there would be a good road linking up Rotorua, Waiotapu, Taupo and the snow mountains in one continuoat, ran, forming one of the finest tourist routes in the world. The cost was estimated by the Government at £8000, but the writer said he was couvin.-ed that the work could be done fcr a much smaller sum.

Mr. G. Kenning expressed the opinion that the road over the Raneiriri Hills should be first attended to. There already was a very good road from Rotorua to Taupo. The Dolicy of the association should be to fill in existing gaps rathar than the making of new roads. The president, Mr. W. Coitman, said that if this project would not prejudice the construction at Rangiriri Hills road it was worthy of rapport. Mr. G. B Xing and Dr. H. D. Mackenzie said it would be of little use making the road in question when there was an intervening bad stretch like the Rangiriri Hiils

' swamp. ' No action was taken in regard to Mr, Vaile's letter.

The Hawke's Bay Automobile Association wrote stating that it would be pleased to work with the Auckland Association in regard to the proposed Lichfield-Atiamnri read deviation. The Minister for Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, wrote stating that he would give careful consideration to the aissociatiion's representations regarding ihe stoppage of work on the deviation. Another letter from the Minister fcr Public Works plated that the resident engineer had been kept well supplied with funds for the continuation of the work on the road deviation known as the Awakino Yalley Power Road. Since March, 1920, authorities totalling £11,000 had been issued, and with the exception ■of a few hundred pounds this amount j had been expended. No doubt additional I provision would be made when this year's Estimates were compiled. He was | unable to favourably consider the sugj pestion that the main South Road over | the Rangiriri Hills should be repaired byi the department to afford relief to the ! nnemployed, as it was considered this i work came under the category of maintenance, for which the loca3 body interested was responsible. The Taumaranui ,Chamber of Commerce wrote inviting the' association to be represented at a further conference on the matter of the " threatened deviation of the proposed national highway connecting Auckland with Wellington, from the almost universally-accepted route through the middle of the North Island to one via the west coast." No action was taken in regard to the letter.