CONDITION OF PORTAGE ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22850, 4 October 1937, Page 14

CONDITION OF PORTAGE ROAD

Sir, —As a business proprietor and ratepayer in the Otahfihu borough, I am surprised at our council's attitude in neglecting repairs to Portage Road, east and west of the Great South Road, Take the visitors and farmers who attend the weekly stock sales held here every Wednesday and Thursday. They all do business with our stores, garages, hotels and post office, and we appreciate the fact that a great volume of business is done by them. Of course, the old story is told. "Mount weir ington authorities receive the ratss from one side of this particular road and accordingly should be responsible for half the cost of repairs to same. But Otahuhu has numerous residents in and around this area, and our local council receives substantial rates fromthe saleyards committee, etc. What have .the residents in Portage Road received in return for the rates they have paid? I venture to say Portag® Road is one of the oldest roads in our district, and is in a worse state of disrepair than any other road in theNorth Island. Our local bus company, in all fairness to its owe fleet, has been obliged to make the key to the main road by going through the b3CK areas of Otahuhu instead of catering for passengers via the main street. And through Portage Road being in such a bad condition Princes Street has had to carry the major portion of the general traffic. At the intersection of this and the Great South Road we have two schools —the public school and an infant school —and the constant stream of traffic thus diverted greatly endangers the lives of the children. I consider our council would be more than justly rewarded by having this road properly widened and repaired. F. J. Andrew, Otahuhu.