NEW WESTERN HIGHWAY

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1937, Page 9

NEW WESTERN HIGHWAY

— — __ — — * AUCKLAND TO AWAKIN| LETTER TO TARANAKI CHAMBER, TE MATA S'ETTLER'S SUGGESTION/ SUFPQRT NOT FORTHOOMING/ Support from the Taranaki Chamber of ' Commerce for a proposed western highway running along the coast frpm Auck- : land to Awakino was sought in a letter '' discussed by the chamber last night. Th« chamber considered it was more interested in the improvement of the existing highway to make it easier for people to visit Taranaki, and it neither supported nor opposed the suggestion. Advantages claimed for the proposed - route, which follows the line . of existing / roads, were that it would open. up back- ' block land, be of mi'litary value and' shorten the road distance between New Plymouth and Auckland 'by 100 miles. The writer was Mr. J. B. Vowles, Te Mata, near Kawhia. He was sure, WTOte Mr. Vowles, that the road would be a big benefit to both. New Plymouth and Auckland as it would open up back country in every sense of the wcrd. It would not only taks congestion off the Great South Road but would ■ save well over 100 miles in distance. The route he proposed was practically direct whereas the present route had a big bend. Value For Defence Purposes. The people in the Kawhia district were expecting it, and were already spezhcing of it as the "Great Western Highway." It had a value for defence purposes as it was within easy distance of all the harbours from Auckland to New Plymoufii. The rural and private bag mail services would easily pay for all post office expenses and maiis. . The grade, alignment, etc., of the route were good, with no engineering difficulties, as far south as Kinohoku. Further south l.e did not know. He considered all chambers of commerce and county councils dn the route would cooperate and it needed only New Plymouth and Auckland to move and the work "Would be taken in hand. As far as he could find out the piece of road between Kiritehere and Awakino % was the only unmetalled portion, though Other plaees were in a bad state and much work would be required to make it a highway, but it would be suitable work for the unempldyed. A member commented that the chamber might advocate a road straight across the island from. New Plymouth to Napier.