NORTHERN HIGHWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 8

NORTHERN HIGHWAYS.

SEVERAL BAD SECTIONS. STEPS TOWARD IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES OF ASSOCIATION, '& report on the condition of the clay section of the main northern highway between Auckland and Whangarei received yesterday by the Auckland Automobile Association from its patrol now in North. Auckland indicates that the road is in a very bad state. The Dorrm Valley north of Warkworth is definitely closed as earth -work carried out last season is not yet in a'condition to permit traffic, and motorists are therefore forced to use the long detour via Kaipara Flats, Tauhoa and Port .Albert. Be- | tween the last two places (hero is a •J>hree-milo stretch of clay which is deeply rfitted and yery rough, although at the time the report was despatched the surface was dry. The Topuni-Kaiwaka section of five miles is described as being in an appaling condition, with deep ruts and numerous holes. At the Topuni- Bridge cars simply drop into large holes, and as one approaches this without niuc.h warning there have been some very unpleasant experiences. The patrol describes the road as being in the worst condition in which he has ever seen it, and says that oije hour's heavy rairi would practically close the route for motor traffic. Question of Funds. A request recently made by the Auckland Automobile Association for adequate maintenance of the clay stretches .elicited the fact that maintenance grants were so reduced, this year that funds would not permit grading until the approach of finer weather, but the association is making a special appeal to the Highways Board for the provision of reasonable grading of CTie clay surfaces during the summer months. The provision of an all-weather route, has bcjen the subject of much concern to roa<j nsersj arjd the Auckland Automobile , Association has repeatedly . urged on the Main Highways Board the necessity for expediting the completion of the metalling. Three years ago the board embarked c® a, five years' programme, and in 1929 it was stated that there was every possibility of completing the work by 1931, one year before the stipulated time. This year, however, motor taxation has been reviewed and the board ha 3 been called on to find finance formerly provided from and Consolidated and Public Works Funds, with the result that all allocations for the current year are severely reduced. In addition, other districts are clamouring for their full share of the* proceeds of motor taxation, thus reducing the extra expenditure which in the past has been devoted to North Auckland, in lexcess of its legitimate share. Appeal to Government. On behalf of the association, Mr. M. ■H. Wynyard, motorists' representative, on the Main Highways Board, is doing his utmost toward providing the desired connection and has assured the association that both he and the Main Highways Board are extremely anxious to see an all-weather route as early as possible. The position at present is that the board has not the necessary funds ab its disposal. The association is advised, however, that the Slain Highways Board will visit North Auckland early in January and will fully discuss the position with the local bodies concerned and the association is hopeful that the board will then be in a position to make a definite announcement. In the meantime work will be done by, the Rodney County Council between Te Hana and Te Arai, and a metal connection is assured on this short link between the east and west coast roads. The association has communicated with* the acting-Prime Llinister urging that money should be made available to complete an all-weather route between Auckland and Whangarei before the winter of 1931. Every possible avenue is being explored to find .way 3 and means to relieve the present position and northern motorists can assist by requesting their members of Parliament to support the association's representations to the acting-Prime Minister. The sections in doubt are the Dome Valley between Warkworth and Wellsford, and between T6 Arai and Mangawai. There is no possibility of the Topuni-Kaiwaka section of the main highway being completed for some time, as extensive earth works have to be car-' ried out, but the metalling of the short clay gap south of Mangawai would provide a temporary detour, and after the main highway is completed to Kaiwaka would provide a very valuable access road for county residents.