“FAR TOO MODEST”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18967, 19 March 1924, Page 10

“FAR TOO MODEST”

HIGHWAYS COUNCIL’S FORWARD* » MOVE MANY NEW ROADS RECOMMENDED The District Highways Council for the local area has come to the conclusion that the Main Highways proposals are a good thing, in fact far better than was originally thought. At a meeting held yesterday, there was a decided swing of the pendulum, and it was decided to recommend a large number of additional roads to come under the operations of the scheme. The position now is that rejection, if any, will be a prerogative of the controlling authority—the Main Highways Board, also its responsibility.

At yesterday’s meeting there were present: Messrs T. M. Ball (chairman). A. G. Simpson ( Rangitikei County), W. Morrison (Waitotara County). A. I). Mackintosh (Wanganui County). P Murray (Waimarino County)', W. Gibbs (Batea- County}. The chairman said the Highways Board was of the opinion that a number of other roads should bo recommended. Mr. Morrison said the question came up at an executive meeting of the County Councils. The opinion was the No. 8 Council had been too modest. It was considered there should be high ways leading to the railways. Personally he would recommend several additional roads in Waitotara County. He understood no particular standard would be insisted upon. He would therefore recommend Rangitatau East Road from Te Tuhi Ferry to Kai hvi, the Blueskin Road, and the road from Cut field’s corner 1o Kai Iwl Beach. Mr. Mackintosh seconded Mr. Morrison’s proposal, lie said that after hearing Mr. .lull’s opinion, his opinion had altered very much. Mr. Morrison said the Counties Association had always advocated main traffic roads that carried farmers’ produce to the railway. The chairman said it meant 50 miles of additional mileage. They should have very good grounds before proposing roads to the Board. Motorists made half the contribution, and would expect roads they could use. They would have to be careful not to go from the sublime .to the ridiculous. The council would have to be careful not to recommend roads in a wholesale manner. Mr, Morrison: We did it because of the information we got in Wellington. If the bo? ” I did not think anything was fair they could cut it out. The board might grant a section of the road perhaps to Paparangi. It was’obvious they should not stick to highways parallel with the railways. The chairman said he objected to any one member being able to approach the Board on the matter. Mr. Morrison: It was not the Board. The chairman said such discussions would not lead anywhere. Unless they carried the business out in a constitutional manner they would not make sound progress. Anything put before the meeting should be dealt with on the merits of the case. Mr. Morrison’s proposal to include the roads he named was carried, the chairman voting against it. The Chairman moved that the following roads be recommended to the Main Highways Board for declaration: I.—Parapara Road, from Wanganui

Town Bridge tn Wanganui County . boundary, .*>(» miles 42 chains. 2. —Bulls to Ohakune Road. '.'4 miles .2(1 chains. 3. Raetihi to Waimarino Road, from • iOhakune-Raotihi Road to th<* boundary between Wpiniarino and Kaitieke coun « ties, 14 J miles. • 4. —Manga wcka main road from - Bulls-Ohakune Road tu Rangitikei River Bridge to boundary of Kiwitca » County, one mile. « s.—Taihape to Napier Road, from • Bulls-Ohakune Road at Wainui to KuriI papanga, 44 miles. Mr. Simpson moved for the inclu- - sion of the Bulls Road. Turafeina-t'alico - Line, 11 miles to Cliff Road railway . station. i Mr. Morrison: That is a very import* I ant road. , I This was carried. , . Mr. Mackintosh moved to include the i No. 2 Line via Wangaehu Valley to iKarioi railway station, 66 miles, and - [three miles of the No. 3 Line from Wanr jganui Borough boundary to Okoia. i 4 The chairman: I am afraid wc are I not. doing justice to the absent mem* . bers. He said that some of the couni jells h al already been asked to reduce - I mileage. Mr. Morrison: It is better to err on J the right side. I i The chairman said that previously I they were below the average, but now ; they had pushed it far above the averI age. i Mr. Mackintosh: If there is any re* i ductipn in Wanganui County I would • 'Certainly recommend the No. J Line. ' The chairman: You arc asking for ' |help, and the Main Highways proposals are to help you. There is a crying need for improvement on the road. Mr. Murray: I don’t see that wc have ; a possible hope of getting the Wan- ' gaehu Valley declared a main highway, i seeing you already want the Parapara 1 Road. 1 Mr. Mackintosh’s motion was carried. Mr. Gibbs asked in view of Mr. ' Jull’s recent statement, how the cost i would be allocated. Mr. Morrison said it now appeared that in Patea tho road would be a 1 charge on the county fund, whereas it would be a riding charge in the other counties. Mr. Gibbs asked if there would be a standard width of roads. The chairman said an 18ft. width had been agreed upon for the main road from Bulls and on through Patea County. Mr. Mackintosh referred to width of bridges, and the chairman saixl that in Taranaki they were having all bridges 18ft. wide. Ho considered 18ft. bridges were necessary for main highways.