TIMARU-TEMUKA HIGHWAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18490, 4 February 1930, Page 7

TIMARU-TEMUKA HIGHWAY.

To the Editor of the “ Timaru Herald.” Sir,—ln your issue of January 30, there is a statement showing that the chairman of the Levels County Council resents criticism on the state of the above stretch of road, and also states that “the Council had done all in their power to improve the road.” After collecting heavy license fees, petrol and tyre taxes, etc., for about five years, this main highway is an absolute disgrace to anyone in charge of it. On at least two separate occasions during the past five years, motorists have been forced to turn off at the Arowhenua hotel, or take the next turn on the left out in the Seadown direction to dodge a large section of the Main Road, which was not fit for traffic of any description for two or three weeks; and I was informed by a reliable postmaster that at a time, two large cars were bogged and had to be hauled out of the large mud holes. The chairman states that £I2OO was spent from April 1 to December 31 on eight miles of highway. A pity that three miles were not done in a satisfactory manner. Throwing loose earth and stones on the surface will not make a road. Another “nark” to the motorist is to see the petrol waggons on the railway going to Christchurch where the petrol is sold for 2d per gallon cheaper than we have paid in Timaru for about eighteen months. The ratepayers of Timaru pay harbour rates to allow ships to come in here with petrol so that the Christchurch motorist can have the same petrol cheaper than we can get it alongside the ship. Why? It should be the other way about. Who are the people taking money in this fashion from the motorists which they have no right to? One more thing I would like to mention. About three years or so ago, an amount of approximately £400,000 of the “South Island motorists” money was stated to be taken and used to the benefit of the North Island roads. Is this a fact? If so, why has nothing more been heard of it, as it surely belongs fairly and squarely to the South Island motorists and no one else, and should have been used in a proper manner on South Island roads long ago. Why was no interest arranged if they have this money, and who is responsible for it? If we were to have this money returned to-morrow, with interest added, the motorists would not have a fair thing, as this amount should have been spent yeras ago and saved the tyres and machines of the motorists to whom it rightly belongs. Another thing is that every copper collected from the motorists in each year, should be spent (and spent properly), on the roads in the twelve months, as the next year’s amounts are always coming to hand and they should not be hoarded up. Hoping the unsatisfactory condition of the main north road will soon be attended to and a proper and permanent job done. Twelve months ago it was stated to be the worst stretch of road between Timaru and Picton, by a number of motorists, and to-day. the Timaru-Temuka roadway (except for a few yards) is an absolute failure.—l am, etc., WASTED MONEY.