DUST FROM HIGHWAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21344, 19 November 1932, Page 12

DUST FROM HIGHWAY

DAMAGE TO FAKM LANDS

HAMILTON TO NGARUAWAHIA TE RAPA RATEPAYERS' PROTEST [from our own con respondent] HAMILTON, Friday The damage to pastures bordering the section of the Great South Road between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia caused by the dust arising from tho loose shiriglo surface was tho subject of strong protests at a. meeting of r i'e Rapa, ratepayers in tho To Rapa Hall last evening. Tho necessity for the permanent surfacing of tho road as the only means of overcoming the nuisance was emphasised. Among thoso present at tho meeting were representatives of tho Waipa and Waikato County Councils, and tho Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobilo Association. Mr. T. Church presided.

Mr. A. Holmes, who convened tho meeting, said the To Rapa settlers were complaining about the state of the road, chiefly because of tho great damage caused to land in the vicinity by tho dust, which was ruining grass and hay crops. He criticised tho Waipa County Council for its attitude toward the matter, pointing out that, while tho Waikato County had abojt 50 miles of bitumen roads, Waipa had barely a single mile.

Mr. C. L. MacDiarmid said the stretch of highway in question was one of the most important in New Zealand, and was one of the most widely used. Although the Main Highways Board claimed it had not tho necessary money, other roads were being constructed in the Dominion. "It is absurd that a road bearing the wear and tear and the amazing amount of traffic that this highway docs is only constructed of sand and shingle," said Mr. E. 11. Jull. "The grass, even 100 yds. from the road fence, is so thick with dust that cattle will not touch it."

Air. E. M. Masters, president of the Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobile Association, assured the meeting that the association was in sympathy with the fanners' grievances. After detailing negotiations with the Main Highways Biard, Mr. S. C. Macky, chairman of the Waipa County Council, said he did not think there was any hope of getting the surfacing work done for several years. Although the council would like to see the work clone, the Main Highways Board could do nothing, as it did not have the money. Mr. Macky added that the council would do its utmost to relieve settlers of the dust nuisance.

After further discussion it was decided <0 request the Waipa County Council to send a deputation to the members of Parliament, in the district to discuss tho question of constructing a permanent surface on the main highway between Ngaruawahia and Kihikihi, near Te Awanmtu. It was also agreed to invite representatives of the Hamilton Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce, the Auckland Automobile Association and To Rapa ratepayers , to attend. A speed limit of between 25 and 30 miles per hour was suggested, but it was agreed that the only real solution was the permanent surfacing of the road.