GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20252, 11 May 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

GREAT SOUTH ROAD.

' THE DRURY SECTION. Tho Main Highways Board lias not yet expressed an opinion regarding the alternative proposals for the reconstruction of the Drury section of the Great South Road. The Franklin - County Council has recommended a scheme estimated at £120,344 for the 7j{ mile section betweon Papakura and Bombay. This includes £31,469 for 131 chains through Drury. The County Council prefers this to the alternative of a new deviation of 111£ chains estimated at £30,073. The reason given is that the slight saving in first cost would bo more than off-set by maintaining the old road through the township. A large number of motorists will not ngrce with the selection of the longer route. The difference is.only 19£ chains but in the aggregate it represents a huge traffic mileage in the year. An estimate showing what the longer routo will mean to motorists and commercial motor users is to be forwarded to the Main Highways Board by the Auckland, Automobile Association, The figures show that the apparent saving in maintenance by adhering to the old and longer route actually involves a much greater expenditure by vehicle users in travelling the extra distance. " The county council does not have to run the vehicles but it must recognise that the selection of a longer route means a very large extra sum in running costs." said a member of the council of tie 'A.A.A. this week. Following is the comparison:— £ Cost of 131ch., township route . . 315469 Cost of lllJch.. deviation . . 30,073 Extra cost township route . . . . 1.3% Kxtra interest charges. 20 years . . 700 Extra maintenance 19Jch. st £IOO per milo annually for 20 years . . 48S Cost of 2000 vehicles daily at 7d a mile over 19;ch. for 20 years . . 103.75G 100,370 Less maintenance of 30ch. of existing road for 20 years . . . . 2,000 104,370 This calculation shows that the road riser would pay £104,370 in 20 years on account of the longer route. «. THE MOTOR CAMP. The motor camp on the Agricultural find Pastoral Association's grounds is available for use throughout the year, and a caretaker is in charge. Gas cooking equipment and an electric iron is installed. The Onehunga-Manukau ChamLer of Commerce has suggested reconsideration of the proposal to furnish a camp at Mangcre, but the A.A.A. has replied that the A. and P. camp is the recognised official ground.

WHITE LINES. The A.A.A. is opposed to the use of traffic domes and white lines are advocated as a substitute. The City Council has promised to experiment at the corner of Manukau Road and the Great South Road. It is also suggested that lines should be placed at the intersection of Symonds Street and Grafton Road. A tramway pole which constituted some danger was recently removed from this corner. The pole at least defined the turning point but now it is difficult to determine when the corner is being cut. A.A.A. ACTIVITIES. The touring manager of the A.A.A. leaves on a tour this month to prepare information for the maps and guide books which will be published toward the end . of this year. Following is the itinerary:— Monday. May 20, Te Kuiti; Tuesday, 21st., Taumarunui: Wednesday, 22nd., Taumarunui - Raetihi - Waiouru - Raetihi; Thursday, 23rd., Raetihi-Wanganui; Friday, 24th., Wanganui-Hawera-Marton-Hunterville-Feilding; Saturday, 25th., Feilding - Mangawekn - Jvimbolton - Palmerston North; Sunday, 26th., Palmerston North-Wellington; Monday, 27th., Wellington, trips round Wellington; Tuesday, 28th., Wellington (conference); Wednesday, ?9lii., Wellington-Dannevirke; Thursday, 30th., Dannevirke-Napier; Friday, 31st., Napier-Taupo; Saturday, June 1, Taupo-Te Whaiti; Sunday, 2nd., UreAvera- country: Monday, 3rd., UreweraWairakei: Tuesday, ' 4th., WairakeiNational Park; Wednesday, sth., National Park-Atiamm-i; Thursday, 6th., attend meeting at Pukekohe and return to Auckland. IMPORTANT BRIDGE WORK. The dilapidated stone bridge on the Great South Road at the southern boundary of Otahuhu is to be replaced shortly. The old structure is the /joint responsibility of, the Otahuhu Borough Council and the Manukau County Council, arid the Public Works Department is preparing alternative schemes. The cheaper provides for the widening of the stone work. The other plan is for the demolition of the old work and replacement by a concrete bridge. BRITISH EXPORTS. During the month of February a total of 1612 British cars and 206 motor transport vehicles, together with 15 tractors, were exported. The value of the cars amounted to £300,879, as against £304,831 for the corresponding period last year, while transport vehicles and tractors, which included omnibuses, motor fire engines, and ambulances were valued at £388.491. For the full year of 1928 British exports wore 18,306 cars and 13,104 car chassis in addition to 1437 commercial vehicles.