MAIN HIGHWAYS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 673, 27 May 1929, Page 14

MAIN HIGHWAYS

METALLED ROAD TO WAIWERA WORKS COMPLETED Considerable road construction has . been accomplished by the Main Highways Board, according to reports presented at a recent meeting of the j board. An examination will shortly ! be held for road foremen. During April three metalling works were completed, and all were on important highways. An “all weather” | route has been provided between ! Auckland and Waiwera, which forms part of the connection between Auckland and Whangarei and the Far North. Secondly, a metalled connection between Gisborne and Motu was established, and thirdly, Wanganui was linked up with Raetihi by completing the metalling of what is known as the Para Para Road. In the latter case something of a record was established in that 11 miles were metalled j In a period of eight weeks. DRURY DEVIATION In connection with the reconstruction of the main highway between Auckland and Hamilton details of the Franklin County Council’s proposals were before the board. At the same time the board considered the question of deviating the main highway at Drury township. When the board was in this district some time ago it inspected a proposed deviation which, while giving a straight alignment, would practically eliminate the township from the main road. Plans covering the straight route, and also an alternative to improve the alignment of the present road by a deviation at the south end of the township were prepared by the Franklin County Council, which recommended the adoption of the latter. It was agreed to accept the council’s suggestion. On the occasion of its recent visit to the King Country representations were made to the board that it pro ceed with the reconstruction and metalling of the main highway be tween Pipiriki and Raetihi. The metalling of this road would provide an all-the-year-round access to the Main Trunk from Pipiriki, thereby enabling tourists leaving the Wanganui River service at Pipiriki to join the main trunk express at Raetihi. In view, however, of the fact that the board is spending substantial sums in connection with other roads joining up with the Wanganui River service, it is not in a position to provide for expenditure between Pipiriki and Raetihi at the present time. Following out its policy of setting examinations for road foremen and overseers, the board has decided to hold another examination on June 4. Applicants are tested in their ability, first, to carry out and supervise general road construction and maintenance, and, secondly, the construction of bitumen and concrete pavements. Successful applicants are granted a certificate of qualification, and the board has found that local authorities, in appointing overseers and fore-

men, are regarding the board's certificate as a necessary qualification for appointment. The board authorised a sum for expenditure iu providing a turning pl ac ' s at the top of the I'ajkakariki Hill, jp the present time, especially on Sun days and holidays, a large number of cars stop at the top of the hill to take advantage of the excellent view which is obtainable from this point, and ths parking of cars on the present road way is more or less a danger to othei traffic. The provision of a turning point will considerably improve matters.