ROADS IN BAD STATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 562, 15 January 1929, Page 10

ROADS IN BAD STATE

MR. R„ SEMPLE’S VIEWS OPPORTUNITIES LOST AT WAITOMO (Special to THE &UF t IV ELLINGTON, Monday. After a motor tour of the main roads of the centre of the North Island. Mr. R. Semple, M.P., is dissatisfied with the Highway Board’s work in keeping the surfaces in good repair. Accompanied by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., and Mrs. Semple and Mrs. Fraser, he toured via Napier, Taupo, Rotorua, Arapuni, Wai* tomo. and New Plymouth. In most places the roads were in good condition, but there were bad patches. JSigns of waste were aho apparent. Mr. Semple saw barrels of tar lying on the roadside. Some of them had burst, and the contents had run to waste. Heaps of gravel were handy ready for use. and while the preparatory work on the road had been carried out. the surfacing had not been gone on with. Potholes were developing, so that the road would need a second preparation before being finished. The worst piece on the trip was on the road from Hangatiki to the Waitomo Caves, where the Government has invested a large amount of capital. While the approaches are in present condition, Mr. Semple considers the capital is largely lying idle. The road from Otorohanga to ij Kuiti is also in a bad condition, ana full of potholes, and there is muen room for improvement between _Piopi and Mahoenui, on the Te Kuiti-XJ-Plymouth Road. There is baa piece between Sanson and Foxton.