PROPOSED NEW ROAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 58, 10 March 1931, Page 8

PROPOSED NEW ROAD

COUNTY IN OPPOSITION LINKING TARANAKI WITH MAIN TRUNK. SUGGESTION FROM MAUNGPURUA A proposal to link the reading system of the Main Trunk districts with that of Taranaki, through a route down the Mangaparua Valley and on to Whangamomona, was not supported by the Waitotara County Council yesterday on the grounds that as a national undertaking it was not of sufficient importance and, further that there was a probability that the county would be involved in expense of maintenance if the route was formed. The matter was raised by the following letter from the Mangapurua Settlers’ Assocaition road committee:— “We are of the opinion that the best route and one which certainly can be most speedily and cheaply completed, is connecting up the Mangapurua Valley Road, where it. touches the left bank of the Wanganui River at the Mangapurua Landing, with the road from Whanganiomona, which comes down to Spooner’s bridge on the Whangamomona River. The Mangapurua Landing is • about 45 miles from Raetihi through the Ruatiti Valley and about 20 miles of this area already made to highways standard and metalled. From Wangamomona the road is formed for approximately 14 miles, ten of which are metalled. The gap to bo completed on the route we. prois six miles on our side of the Wanganui River, crossing the Wanganui River near tho Mangawai-iti stream at an excellent bridge site and at the narrowest part on the whole length of the river, and then connecting up with the present road at Spooner’s bridge—approximately sevqn miles—a total of 13 miles of road and the bridge. Our committee know most of the country to be traversed and are of the opinion that the road can be made at a cost much below the average per mile for reading the river country. The sii miles on our- side of the river are practically flat. We would therefore ask you to let us know if you are interested in the proposal, and if so, to support us in our request to tho Minister of Public Works to have an engineering survey made and an estimate of the cost prepared.”

The county engineer (Mr T. Dix) said that the Public Works Department had made a rough estimate which amounted to £50,000. The bridge would be a most expensive one to build and there was the aspect to be taken into consideration that the county would have to maintain the road after it was handed over. It might be a main highway or a Government road, but in any case, tho cost of upkeep would be heavy, and the burden would fall on the Tokomaru Riding. Mr Dix did not think that the country through which tho road was to pass would bo worth roading. Mr F. H. Allen claimed that the proposal was for a national work. it would join two important roading systems. He disagreed with the opinion that the land was not worth roading. The further up the river one liked to go the better the land. The possibility of the county having to find money for this route was most remote. As the cost of bushfelling, grassing and fencing came down so would it be made more easy to settle the land. The chairman (Cr. W. Morrison): What I am concerned about is how your riding can pay for this? Cr. Allen: It wculd be impossible for the riding to pay for it, but it will be a. Government road.

Cr. Morrison: Tho Government will make the road, no doubt, but your riding will be entitled to maintain it. “I am looking at it from the broad point of view,” Cr. Allen replied, “from the point of view of the whole Island. Can you suggest any way that we can support the road and free ourselves from any responsibility of finding any cost.?’’ “The time has come when we must call a halt,” Cr. Goldsbury stated. “T sympathise with the matter, but there is no use going on under this heading.” Cr. R. Farley thought that the council should oppose the road straight out. He moved accordingly and was seconded hv Cr. A. R. Richardson.

Cr. Allen again defended his contention that tho route was a national one and it would prove a means of access for Mangapurua settlers.

Ct. Farley’s motion opposing tho pro position was carried, Cr. Allen record ing his vote against it.