NEGLECTED HIGHWAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16340, 14 May 1927, Page 5

NEGLECTED HIGHWAY

THE MOTU-GISBORNE ROAD CRITICISM BY AUCKLAND MOTORISTS (Special io the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. The one barrier to a circuit of the North Island by motor, the MotuGisborne main highyvay, was criticised by the council of tfie Auckland Automobile Association, apathy being attributed to the Government on account of a competitive railway in the vicinity’.

The service officer stated that a stretch of 10 miles of clay betyveen Matawai and Waitoto was impassable in winter, and there seemed no prospect of a remedy, as the County Council could not raise sufficient money to justify a claim on the Main Highways Board for a subsidy. The president, Dr. J. H. Lawry, said the settlers did not consider the road was vital. From the motorists’ point of view it yvas an essential link. The highway passed through some of the finest scenic country in Noyv Zealand. Mr. A. Grayson said it yvas the duty of the Government to accept responsibility if the county was not in position to finance the metalling of a highyvay. The motorists could not be expected to pay everything through the medium of the Main Highways Board funds. There had been hints of an increase in taxation on motors, but already motorists were contributing heavily. It Was resolved to ask the Main lliglnvays Board to urge the Government to declare the highway a Government road.