STATE OF NORTH ROAD

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1929, Page 11

STATE OF NORTH ROAD

business men interested .1 1 ■ .. ■' LOCALITY TO BE INSPECTED. PROPOSED TOTORO DEVIATIONS. As tho outcome of considerable agitation oil tho part of a number of interested or sympathetic local bodies to have an improvement effected in the main highway north of the Awakino Valley, and correspondence between the Taranaki and Te Kuiti Chambers of Commerce on the matter, representatives of the Taranaki Chamber will shortly visit the Mahoenui-Pio Pio district to inspect tire main road, and discuss the question, with particular reference to the proposed Totoro deviation. This decision was made' at a meeting of the council of .the Taranaki Chamber, last night, when there were present Messrs. J. McLeod (chairman), 8. Vick-' ers, J. R. Cruickshank, S. E. Shaw, J. A. R. McGregor, J. McNeill, Gordon Fraser,' \V. J. Penn, C. H. Weston and L, M. Moss. Writing to the chamber on the subject of °t)ie Te Kuiti-Ncw Plymouth main highway, the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce stated that Taranaki s reresentations urging the taking of steps to improve tlie road had been carefully considered by the chamber, which was fully alive to the bad state of the read, particularly between Pio Pio and Mahocnuj. Owing to the condition of the finances of the Waitomo County Council, the council was not in a position, to carry cut the work, and the chamber was of the opinion that the road should be taken over by the Main Highways Board. . . From correspondence and . newspaper articles,, the chamber understood that steps were now being taken to put . the road in repair. The Aria Settlers’ Association had written to the chamber with reference to the proposed Totoro deviation as an alternative route, and had submitted the following advantages of the route: — (1) It would provide a main highway with an excellent grade and relatively few sharp corners, whereas the opinion was expressed locally that the present route would cost an enormous sum to bring it to highways’ standard. (2) It would obviate dislocation of traffic in construction as it would not be open until completed. (3/ It would open up 7000 acres of land suitable for close settlement, and for this reason the Government should be asked .to work in conjunction with the Highways Board, and so help bear the cost. (4) When completed, all stock could be kept on tlie present route, and the Totoro route kept free of all but local stock for 17 miles. An invitation was extended to the Taranaki Chamber to send representatives to the locality chiefly for. the purpose of making a thorough investigation of the possibilities of the proposed new route. Mr. Fenn said he understood the Totpro deviation, project had for the time being been shelved iby the authorities, but it would do no harm tb accede to the request from Te Kuiti. It was resolved to inform the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce that the Taranaki Chamber would willingly send representatives as suggested in the communication. With reference to the Chamber’s letters to various Taranaki local bodies asking for support in representations being made to have an improvement affected in the condition of the Main North Road, endorsement was received from the Stratford Chamber of Commerce and the Inglewood County Council. The Hawera County Council notified that it had decided to take no action in the matter.