GREAT SOUTH ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21296, 24 September 1932, Page 12

GREAT SOUTH ROAD

FRANKLIN COUNTY SECTION IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS EFFECT OF DUST ON STOCK The metalling of Wright's deviation on the Great South Road between Papakura and Bombay has been plactwl on tho estimates for this year by the Main highways Board, according to Mr. M, H. Wynyard, motorists' representative on tho board, who returned from Wellington yesterday. Wright's deviation is a short stretch of about a quarter of a milo between Ramarama and Bombay, and, although it is not in use by traffic, it would, if metalled, form a detour at one of tho worst sections of the Papakura-Bombay portion of the Great South Road. "Tho board also looks upon tho reconstruction and surfacing of the Great South Road between Papakura and Mercer as ono of the most important works in the North Island," Mr. Wynyard said. In view of tho possibility of permanent work on this section being put in hand if construction funds wero made available next year, tho board was making revised proposals to tho Franklin County Council with a view to having .improvements to tho worst portions undertaken, and was asking for an early reply. If the county agreed to tho amended proposals, the improvements could be commenced without delay. A petition signed by a largo number of property holders whoso land faces the Great South Road in tho Franklin County has been prepared, asking that improvements should be undertaken, and will bo presented to the County Council at its noxt meeting. Tho dust caused by passing vehicles is blown in denso clouds on properties near the road, where it settles until the grass is practically grey. Apart from damage to pastures, the opinion has been expressed by a veterinary surgeon in the district that the dust is largely responsible for the prevalence of catarrh among stock, particularly cattle.

Last summer ho encountered numerous cases of catarrh among cattle in padlocks near tho dusty main road, the veterinary surgeon said yesterday. After examining tho animals he formed the opinion that their affliction was caused by the inhalation of dust particles with which the air was laden. Although ifc was still early in spring, the recent dry weather had resulted in tho road being extremely dusty, and already he had encountered several animals afflicted similarly to those he examined last summea - .