ROTORUA COUNTY ROADS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 13

ROTORUA COUNTY ROADS.

MAINTENANCE AND COST. REQUESTS TO HIGHWAYS BOARD. [BY TEI-'EORATH • OWV CORRESPONDENT.] KOTORUA. Monday. The members of thr Main Highways Board arrived at Uotorua from VVairakei this morning and received a number of deputations. Mr. \V. T. Fakes, representing the local branch of I ho Auckland Automobile 'Association, drew attention to several dangerous corners on the Rotorua-Taupo Road, and asked tho board to use its influence to inako these places safer for tho increased traflic. i Io suggested that some steps bo taken to provido a traffic inspector to deal with careless lorry drivers who carry overhanging loads. Mr. Pakes also urged that something be dono to preserve (he stretch of road from tho Utaliina Bridge to the Ngongotfiha township, and the Tengae Road on the way to \Vhakatane.

Mr. f. McKenzic said tho question of ft suitable coating for these roads would receive full consideration.

The Deputy-Mayor. Mr. T. Jackson, said it, was Iho desire of tho Borough Council lO' bitiirninisG tho road from tho ferry building to the, fitahina Bridge, at, an estimated cost, of ,t;2700. It was intended to apply for a loan for this work and for two other short sections of main road which it, would be impossible to deal with for snme time owing to the construction of I lie Rotorua-Taupo railway, fie. asked if (lie board would advance the money for this work so that it might bo done during the, present season, as in advertising the loan proposals-and taking the poll valuable time would bo lost. Tho chairman said be thought the board Would help m the way suggested if it Was possible. Mr. Jackson asked that an increased subsidy he granted l r r certain sections of the roads, because I hey were tho centres for all motorists corning into the district.

Mr. Mek'en/.io said tho council's position had been well put by Mr. Jackson and tho board would consider the ouest ion.

fll respect to I lie fxl f-11sio11 of tJI n railway, an objection (r» a. level crossing in T'rntnn street was touched upon. The hoard's engineer said ho considered it. would lin neecssa ry to raise the road 011 either sifl« of (lir crosiirig for a distance of aI, least a chain. Mr. H. p. Kurd, county chairman, placed various matters affecting tho county before the hoard. lie, said, generally speaking, Iho main county roads *vero in satisfactory condition, hut s.o far the benzine tax had not afforded tho county taxpayer the lvlief expected. The increased motor tra(Tic had meant that the bridges which carried tho ordinary farm traffic were no longer strong enough fur outside traffic. Their replacement by bridges of an expensive type was a very heavy strain on the county's finance, so that there was very little left for the side roads which served tin? settler. Owing to the peculiar circumstances of fhe county in possessing such largo areas of non-ratable lands, tho burden was pressing very heavily on comparatively few settlers.' Mi'. Ford also lay stress on tho need for a full timo traffic inspector to check fhe speed and stop heavily loaded lorries from forcing the ordinary passenger cars off Ihe road. Mr. McKenzio promised that all matlets would receive tho board's careful attention. The members of the board left for Te Aroha this afternoon.