WEST COAST ROUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 11

WEST COAST ROUTE.

REQUEST FOR IMPROVEMENT: POLICY OF HIGHWAYS BOARD. -4 —- Representations for improvements to the Kaukapakapa-Port Albert highway on <he West Coast route to North Auckland were made at Helensvtfle yesterday to members of the Main Highways Board. Dr. F. Matheson, chairman of the Helensville Chamber of Commerce, said there was 110 through road by way of the West Coast to North Auckland, the i-uad through Kaukapakapa being practically impassable during certain nonth.i of the year. Hhe Last Loast Load v.as «t main highway, out he understood it would not be completed for some \cars. Many motor cars had to be returned to Helensville by train owing to the road being found impassable. Mr. A. E. Jull. acting-chairman of the board, said as far as I lie completion of the East Coast Load was concerned the board had set aside £5X3,000 a year a.co for expenditure over four years. r lhe derision arrived at that this road should be 'lone first was not likely to be departed from.

The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates said when ./that decision was made thero was no petrol tax and there were no subsidies on highways. All that was wanted was a road to starve while the other was being t completed. Mr. Jull said 24 or 25 per cent, of the petrol tax vas to be devoted lo maintenance on secondary roads. 'I ho West < oast Road had been declared a s eori'larv road for the purposes of maintenance, not reconstruction. The board had embarked upon a distinct programme of progress in the North.