ACCESS TO KARAKA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18455, 19 July 1923, Page 11

ACCESS TO KARAKA.

BRIDGE AT WEYMOUTH,

QUESTION OF FINANCE.

A deputation of residents of the Papatoetoe and Papakura ridings waited upon the Manukau County Council on Tuesday, urging the speedy connection of Brown's Road with 'Puhinui Road. The deputation, which consisted of Messrs. P. Roy, D. Williams, and W. McLaughlin, appeared in support of & petition signed by a number of ratepayers of Papakura and Papatoetoe.

•Mr. Roy said a road of about 72 chains from Brown's Road to link up with the Weymouth Road would reduce the distance to Auckland by several, milei<; and would be a great inducement to Karaka people to take up the project of a bridge across the Papakura channel to Weymouth. That would mean the opening up of some 40,000 acres of land. Mr. J. M. Davies said the matter was not one for the council. Any finances would have to come out of the two: ridings concerned. If, the financial matters could be arranged the proposal to form the road was a good one. Mr. Roy said he had had this Karaka road on hand for 13 years. The object was to get that road through, and to bring it to the bridge at the Papakura channel. Mr. Davies: You, would have nearly as much bridge as road. Mr. Roy said the bridge, from land to land, would be under 20 chains. .Mr. W. J. Lopdell, engineer to the council, said he considered the road worthy of survey. After they had traversed the area, they would be more familiar with the matter. There was' no doubt as to the advantage it would be to Karaka and Weymouth people. In any case, the bridge would be an expensive one, on account of the quantity of water in the channel. r ■ The acting-chairman, Mr. F. Kearsley, said the council could not commit itself, as it had no funds available. He advised the deputation to convene a gathering of those interested in the proposed road early next month. Mr. F. M. Waters, chairman of the Manukau, County Council, Mr. J. M. Davies, representative of Papakura riding, and the engineer to the council, could meet them on the ground and inspect the area.