HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 14

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

THE ROUTE TO HAMILTON. CONCRETING BEYOND PAPAKURA SUBSIDY OFFERED TO COUNTY. The Auckland Automohilo Association t;is recommended the Main Highways Hoard to treat the 20-ini!es section of the Great South Road between Pokeno and Ohinewai as the. most urgent section in the schemo for tfio reconstruction of the highway between Papakura and Hamilton. A committee appointed by the association recently made an inspection of the road since the Highways Board had expressed .1 desire to give weight to the views of motorists in consideration of the large contributions to roadirig from motor taxation.

At the meeting of th* council of ike nssociation last evening, it was reported the many sharp bends and the inadequacy of the bridges had influenced the recommendation of the Pokeno-Ohinewai section. The committeo was of opinion all bridges should be widened to 18ft. and consideration given to better visibility. It -was also recommended the old stone structure across the Tamaki River at Otahuhu should be replaced and the single-vehicle bridge on the concrete at the Takanini flat brought into line with main highway requirements.

Mr. M. JI- Wynyard, member of the Highways Board, said tho alignment of the bridges near liangiriri would certainly be altered.

Mr. 11. Butcher said motor taxation would pay 80 per cent, of the cost of reconstructing tho section of highway between I'okeno and Ngaruawalna. li the Franklin County would not accept responsibility for surfacing the Bombay deviation, tho work would probably become a complete charge on motor-tax funds and motorists would pay 89 per cent, of the cost of tho road to Ngaruavvahia. It was stated the Main Highways Board had offered the Franklin County Council a subsidy of £3 for £1 for tho concreting of the eight miles of road beyond Papakura. It was resolved to meet the county engineer on tho road beforo tho jilans were prepared. ROAD THROUGH BIRKENHEAD. MAINTEN AN CE SU SIDLES. The Birkenhead Borough Council has received notification that the designation of the main highway through the borough had been changed from airuii to Auckland-Maungaturoto; WaybyMaungaturoto had been altered to Way byMangawai; and Waiwera-Mangawai to Massey Road Junction-Wainui. Subsidies, on a basis of £1 10s for £l, had been granted for the maintenance of the main road from tho wharf to the northern boundary up to £7CO, besides £lO3 for O.newi road.

At tho meeting of tho Borough Council last evening advice was received from Mr. ,j. McEanis, chairman of No. 1 District Highways Council, that in response to the representations made the Main Highways Board had agreed to pay subsidy on sealing the full width of tho street. Should the penetration method be proceeded with, (he subsidy would be on (lie basis of (he estimated cost of sealing the remaining unpaved portion of the street. The Mayor, Mr. E. fJ. Skeates, said this referred to Hinemoa Street, from (he ■wharf to Arawa Street.