NGAHAURANGA GORGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 5

NGAHAURANGA GORGE

TO BE DECLARED A -GOVERNMENT ROAD RECONSTRUCTION TO GO ON MAKARA COUNCIL SOLVES A DIFFICULT PROBLEM Jfudging by the result of the meetihg of the Makara County Council yesterday* that body has arrived at a very satisfactory solution of the problem of putting Ngahauranga Gorge and the road through Johnsonville in a fit state to take the increasing traffic. The Gorge road is to be taken over'as a Government road, but the council will still remain a contributing authority* so far as the'remaining portion of the road is concerned.

At the meeting of the . Makara County Council yesterday the question of reconstructing the Ngahauranga Garge-Porirua road and its attendant difficulties was threshed out.

The following is a letter sent by Mr Beech, the council’s clerk, to tho chairman of the No. 9 Highway Board;— “The COP—oil is arranging to take a poll of ratepayers for consent to raise a loan of about £7OOO towards the cost, of' reconstructing the length of main road between Porirua and JohnsonviUe —the plans of the proposed work being at present in the hands of tho Highways Board for approval. “I am directed by my council to advise that, providing the consent cf the ratepayers is obtained, it is prepared, to contribute the sum of £12,000 to the Highways Board, and to make a request of the hoard to cariy out tho undertaking of reconstruction of the eight miles between Ngahauranga and Porirua. .

“It is the opinion of the -that by far the more important work to be undertaken is that of the Ngahauranga}; Gorge section of the highway, admitting that portions of the Johnsonville section require immediate reconstruction. An 'estimate of. the cost' of reconstruction of the whole eight’ miles is just a little over £30,900, exclusive of bitumenaus, etc., ‘surfacing. A GOOD SUGGESTION “The council is of opinion that the Publio Works-' Department, possibly having the necessary plant available, could carry out the work more economically than either the council or- a contractor. The work would, moreover, be under the direct control of tho Highways Board’s engineers, and would therefore _be made to. conform more readily with the ideals of the Highways Board. The work could probably be ■entered upon without the delay that would bo entailed if the council undertook the work, as tho necessary plant would have to be procured. The same delay may'also apply if the work is done by contract. The council is not necessarily .asking for the-road to be declared a Government road, unless it be deemed expedient to do so in regard' to these portions of the road that' would be under reconstruction by the department if the request of the council is acceded to. Maintenance would be carried an as usual by the council on the remaining portions,; and. maintenance immediately resumed on the reconstructed portions. The necessity of this work is becoming more pronounced daily. Under existing conditions, having regard to the ever increasing traffio on it, its width, -grades, and the nature and contour of the country through which it passes, tjie maintenance of this road is' becoming more and more difficult and costly. The maintenance costs are increasing, and will eonfrinuo to do so until complete reconstruction has been effected.” OFFER ACCEPTED In reply to this letter, the following communication was received from Mr J. Hannah, the board’s representative: — “Referring to your letter dated February 19th in which you 6tated your council’s willingness to contribute the sum of £12,000 towards tUh cost of reconstruction of the highway between Ngahauranga and Porirua* I have to advise you that the Main Highways Board have agreed to the work being carried out by the board on condition that yonr county pays this amount towards the cost of same. The hoard is unable to admit the principle of a more liberal subsidy than a £1 for £1 in the populated area beyond'the Ngahauranga Gorge, especially in view of the fact that the hoard has taken over the section of the road between Porirua and Paremata.

“In view of-the special circumstances in regard to the Ngahauranga Gorge,, the board will declare the .section through the gorge a Government road, and the balance of the road will remain an ordinary highway. . The £12,000 contribution offered by yonr county will be accepted and applied as a £1 for £1 contribution .for work done, beyond Johnsonville. The balance, if

any, will be/ applied as your county’s contribution towarffs the, work in tne Ngahauranga Gorge.” . When discussing- these letters, Councillor Prosser said that contract work was not always a success. ' Another councillor remarked that, as far as the Paremata-PaHautanui road was concerned, it would not' be finished till 1940 at the rate the work was going on. ' , Councillor Bell thought that* 'the hoard had not accepted the 'offer of £12,000. If it cost more than was estimated were they going to ask for more? “If it costs, say £24,000, are they going to ask for a further contribution?”

-Councillor Bryant stated that, since the ' Ngahauranga Gorge was heimr declared a Government road, should the council be asked to contribute towards it ?

“Conditions appear to be .quite satisfactory now,” sqid Mr Windley. “The proposals, from an economic point of view, appear quite sound. Our financial outlook is much Brighter than it was twelve months ago, when we refused to contribute £12.000. We have, revenue in view now which was not in View before. I am Derfectiv confident that we are on safe ground' now. I am in favour of proceeding with the proposal in regard to the loan at once. If we hold it over, something may happen to upset matters. I am sure the ratepayers will support us. There will be difficulties concerning, the by-roads when the difficulties of the main roads are overcome. They will require careful consideration. The Hutt Suburban Highways Board have a scheme for carrying the paving on to the by-roads.” Mr Windley moved that a special order be prepared regarding the main highway. /... ■ the pofl is to be taken in the Makara riding only.- The .council’s contribution will be £l5O per mile for the vupkeep after the road has been surfaced. GORGE MAY BR CLOSED Mr Beech then stated that unless the gorge was closed the work would take from eighteen months to two years to carry out. it was closed, the wori? ought to be finished through in about, six,months. , “Of course,” he added, “tho whole countryside will be up ir« arms if we do close the road, The motorists will have to use the Khandallah road.” Although the road between Kliandallah and Johnsonville was only, one • mile and a half long, it was an extremely had mile,’ and _ a half. The question was whether the Highways. Board would contribute, towards the maintenance .during the construction or the Gorge road. DANGEROUS CROSSING ■ Then there was tho question of the, level- crossing to he- considered. The railway crossing between Johnsonville and Kliandallah was the most dangerous one in the country. It was 'mpoEsible to see whether a train wan coming or not until one was right up to the crossing. There was a Veil there, hut it was not too satisfactory. Councillor, Nairn remarked that a short time ago, the boll d'd not ring Until the train was half-way over the crossing. The nolioe of .tho Railway Department, he said, should he drawn to this fact, and the department should be asked to use every possible means to prevent accidents • before spending any money on overhead bridges.

PORIRUA LEVEL A request for £2500 towards a crossing at Porirua had been asked for. Mr Windlqy: “I am convinced we should not contribute anything. We all'regret the happening of these' accidents, hut the Government has been too slow in- putting into' operation the methods they are adopting. The Government should exhaust every channel available before spending unnecessary money. They have bells, ‘wig-wags,’ and oyierhead bridges, but these are not always suitable. Overhead bridges have been proved unsuitable, _ Ninetynino per cent, of the responsibility is on the man on the road so far ns accidents are concerned.” i