ROADS IN THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20175, 8 February 1929, Page 14

ROADS IN THE NORTH.

HIGHWAYS BOARD'S TOUR.

NEEDS OF THE COUNTIES

HOKIANGA AND BAY OF ISLANDS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] KAIKOIIE, Thursday.

The Main Hihways Board was mot at the Hokianga County boundary by the chairman of the Hokianga County Council and an inspection was made of the Opononi Road, which the Hokianga County Council has asked should bo declared a main highway. At Ilaweno the full council met the board. The council asked for an increased subsidy for maintaincnco of the main highway from Waimamaku to the county boundary, near Kaikohe. lhe present rate of subsidy on this road is £2 to £1 und the council wished it increased to £3 to £l. The road was the main route through Southern Hokianga and was being used to a considerable degroo by the tourist traffic to Waipoua forest. A similar request was made by the council for the road from the Ouo Junction to Rawene.

Mr. A. E. Jull, acting-chairman of tho board, in reply, indicated that such an increase in maintenance subsidy involved a departuro from tho board's usual policy of paying £2 to £1 and special consideration would have to bo civen to tho matter. Visit to Kaikohe. • A furlhei request was mado for a detour road between To Karao and Marigamuka, ponding the construction of tho main highway in this locality. Tho council also asked that the board consider making sufficient money available on noxt year's estimates to cornpleto the improvements in Broadwood, Kaitaia. Mr. Jull said these matters would bo considered when tho board mado its annual roview in April. After leaving Rawene tho board travelled to Kaikohe, where members stayed the night. An inspection was made of the Kaikohc-Huchuo Road, which tho Bay of Islands County Council wishes to havo declared a secondary highway. In tho evening deputations from the Kaikohe Town Board, tho local Chamber of Commerce and tho Mangakahia sectlcrs waited on the board. Mr. Guerin, chairman of tho town board, referred to the portion of tho WaimamakuOhaeawai main highway, which traverses tho town. Proposals had been submitted to have the road tar-sealed and straightened and a now bridgo built at tho eastern end. The estimated cost was £3090 and ho asked tho board to subsidise expenditure by £5 to £l. Tho road connecting tho Maungatapere-Kaikohe main highway with the KaiKoho railway station was in a bad state of repair and lie thought it should bo included in tho list of secondary highways, as it acted as a railway feeder road. Board Declines Request. Mr. Jull said the board would not be prepared to grant a £5 to £1 subsidy on tho main road. If fresh proposals were submitted after consultation with tho district engineer the board might be able to assist. Tho matter of the road to the station would receive consideration.

Mr T. Basset, representing tho sottlcrs of the Awarua district, stressed the need of completing the work in the Mangakahia Gorge. There was only a matter of 2 { 9 miles, which included three bridges. They desired to have tho road metalled this autumn. Tho road was their outlot to Kirikopuni station, where all their wool and other produce was sent for railing to Auckland.

Mr. Jull pointed out that formation work on tho road was in progress and tho next year would bo metalled. The worst places in the gorgo would receive attention.

Mr. H. F. Guy, president of tho Kaikoho Chamber of Commerce, brought under tho notice of the board Mio claims of the Kaikohe-Omapero section of the No. 1 Main Highway. It was not only part of the main highway north, but was tho road which gave a largo district direct access to its railhead. Me asked that the construction which had just been started should bo expedited and if possible the bridge on the routo erected this year. The chamber supported (he application to make tho Kaikohe-Huohue Road a highway. Kaikohe-Omapere Road.

Mr. Jull said in regard to tho KaikoheOmapero Road it was expected to have a clay road through this summer, and further work carried out on it next year. In regard to tho Kaikolio-Huehne Road its claims to be declared a secondary highway would be considered when next year's review took place. It was the intention to lay down one course of metal on the portion of the Teheke Road recently reformed. This morning the board left for Ivailain. At (ho junction of the Okaihau-Kaeo Road a deputation from tho Okaihau Chamber of Commerce met tho board and urged that work on this road, which would give the Whangaroa County access to tho railhead at Okaihau, should bo expedited. The deputation also asked that the Okaihau Station Road bo improved. Mr. J till pointed out that the Bay of Islands section of the Okaihau-Kaeo Road had not boen declared a highway, and that the whole question concerning tho road would bo thrashed out when tho board met tho Whangaroa County Council The Okaihau Station Road would receive attention.