ROAD TO HELENSVILLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 11

ROAD TO HELENSVILLE

THE PROPOSED NEW ROUTE

BRIDGING OF THE WHAU.

COUNTY SUPPORT DESIRED,

Details of a scheme by which the road from Auckland- to Helensvillc -would be shortened by about seven miles were placed before the Waitemata County Council yesterday by a deputation from several local bodies interested in the matter.

Mr. J. Paton, chairman of the Te Atatu Bridge Committee, said the scheme was for the linking up of Rosobank Road, Avondale, with Lincoln Road, Henderson. The grades and alignments (had been passed by the Public Works Department. The land for the necessary road had been promised free of charge by settlers, who had also volunteered to do tho fencing. An important part of the scheme was the proposed building of. a bridge over the Whau River, and another over the Henderson Creek. Nearly three-quarters of the total number of ratepayers of tho Te Atatu district had in writing expressed willingness to be rated sufficiently to pay interest and sinking fund on a loan of £12,000, and other bodies had agreed to give financial assistance.

Mr. G. Henning, representing the Automobile Association, emphasised the importance of a good road through the northern districts, which would greatly improve access to the West Coast and surrounding country. The association was in favour of the scheme.

Mr. J. W. Tate, Mayor of Avondale, said the Te Atatu people were now in a very awkward position, and the people of Avondale were prepared to help them get a better road to the city. .

Mr. C. E. Davis, of the Kumeu Ratepayers' Association, supported the scheme, stating that there were now about 2000 people within a five-mile radius of Kumeu and Huapai, which were the coming suburbs of Auckland. The proposed road would benefit not only Te Atatu, but the whole of the north-western district.

The moral support of the Helensville Town Board . was promised by Mr. C. West, chairman of the board, who stated that its funds were small, and local needs absorbed all the money available.

Other speakers emphasised that all that was wanted at the present stage was that the County Council approach the Government with a view to obtaining authority for the bridges to be erected. Without this authority, they could not put any proposals before, the ratepayers. The chairman, Captain Theet, reminded the deputation that loans would have to be carried before the work could go ahead. The council would, however, give full consideration to the proposals brought forward.