WAIRARAPA HIGHWAY

Southland Times, Issue 18972, 20 June 1923, Page 6

WAIRARAPA HIGHWAY

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 19. A deputation from the New Zealand Automobile Union suggested by the Wairarapa Automobile Association, which waited upon the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. G. Coates, and urged the elaborate deviation of the road over the Mungaroa Hill, into Wairarapa, went away satisfied that the Department’s scheme for improving the present road was quite satisfactory. The deputation, which was accompanied by Messrs W. H. Field, M.P., and A. D. McLeod M.P., was sceptical regarding the Department’s plans. It was proposed, therefore, that the route of the present road should be departed from, and taken over, a saddle which would reduce the height of the summit by 80 feet, and at the same time provide a very satisfactory grade, not greater than one in 27 in. any part. The grade of the present road is in some places one in six, and does not appeal to motorists or to anybody else who understands that the road is one of the main highways leading from the city into the Wairarapa.. The cost of the deviated road is estimated at £26,606. At the request of the Minister, Mr D. Murray, inspecting engineer, explained the Government’s proposal. It was intended, he said, to improve the present road beyond recognition. The steepest grade would be reduced from one in six to one in 13.5. Corners would be improved and the cost of the whole work should not exceed £8875. The deviation proposed by the deputation would be very expensive, for a great deal of rough work would be necessary. The width of the new road would be 19 feet throughout, and when it was completed he did .not think motorists would have any reason to complain. The proposed grade was quite common in New Zealand,. . When completed, the new road would be as good as the improved road over the Rimutakas, which had been described as a magnificent hill highway. Members of the deputation admitted that they were agreeably surprised to learn that it was possible to improve the road to the extent intended by the Department. They could only express their entire satisfaction at what was intended, and congratulated the Minister and the Department upon the decisions arrived at. The Minister said that he and his officers had given a great deal of thought Lo >the problems. He welcomed the interest displayed by motorists in reading, and was glad that they had come along to discuss the proposition with him.