MENACE OF DUST.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18796, 18 November 1932, Page 2

MENACE OF DUST.

RATEPAYERS’ PROTEST.

HAMILTON-IMGARUAWAHIA ROAD.

OLD QUESTION REVIVED

Strong criticism of the state of the main highway between Ngaruawahia and Hamilton was voiced at a special meeting of Te Rapa ratepayers and others interested in the Te Rapa Hall last evening. The riding member on the Waipa County Council, Mr I. Church, presided and among those present were Messrs 3. C. Macky. (Chairman of the Waipa County Council), J. W. Civil (engineer of the Waipa Council) F. L. Onion (member for Newcastle riding on the Waipa County), 1. H. Henderson (Waikato County member), E. M. Masters (president of the Hamilton branch of the Auckland Automobile Association) and J. Gilbert (secretary of the Hamilton branch of the A.A.A.). tl Mr A. Holmes who convened the meeting pointed out that the Te Rapa settlers were complaining about the state of the road, chiefly because of the great damage to the tanners lands caused by the dust. The dust had caused inestimable damage lo many farms, ruining grass, hay, etc. lie added that the question of laying a permanent surface on the road had been discussed for many years, but Lh o outcome had always been the same.—There was no money lo do it. The County Criticised. Mr Holmes criticised the Waipa County for their, what he termed, lackadaisical attitude towards the matter. “ The Waikato Council has, I think,” said- Mr Holmes, 11 about 50 miles of bitumen roads in its county while I don’t think the Waipa Council has a single mile.” ” We have about three miles,” said Mr Civil (laughter). Mr Holmes continued that he thought the Waipa ' Council should have got straight on to the job as soon as they came to terms with the Alain Highways Board instead of taking so long to have the road surveyed. ” The survey of the road from Ngaruawahia to Kihiklhi, as that was the scheme that was finally sanctioned," said Mr Macky, “ was a very big task arid Mr Civil had other Important work to do as well.” Mr Holmes: “1 think the council should have employed an outside engineer, if Mr Civil was 100 busy and could not do it. If they had they would not have * missed the boat.' ” In referring hack to llie dust question Mr Holmes mentioned that lhe children walked lo school enveloped in dust and as the school was not far from Hie road they breathed in the dust all day. Mr C. L. Mac Diarmid thought it was high time that a permanent surface was placed on the road. ” The ratepayers are not cavilling," added Mr Mac Diarmid, “ but are fighting for a real need. The road is in a shocking state and the dust question is becoming very serious.” The highway is one of the most important in New Zealand, the speaker continued, and is one of the most widely-used. Neither trees nor grass would grow in the fields near the road and he thought the ratepayers were entitled lo some consideration. The Highways Board complain that they have not got lhe money and yet other roads are being built In New Zealand, he added. The surfacing of the highway would also help deplete the unemployed ranks locally. Striving for Years. Mr Masters said that the Hamilton Branch of the Auckland Automobile Association had been striving for years lo have, the road permanently surfaced hut had met with a deadlock each time. The • association sympathises with the farmers, he added and he assured the meeting that they would he sure of the support of the Auckland Automobile Association in the matter.

Mr Gilbert pointed out that the Auckland Automobile Association was endeavouring to get the Government to restore the Main Highways Board money and then perhaps something could be done. Mr E. H. Jull, a ratepayer on the main highway considered that the road was an absolute disgrace, and that the dust menace was very serious.

“ it is absurd that a road bearing the wear and tear and the amazing amount of traffic that the Main Highway into Hamilton does, is only constructed of sand and shingle,” lie said. The speaker also referred to the dangerous condition of the road.

Mr Holmes: "The surfacing of this highway is extremely urgent as the dust, is causing a great amount of damage and deteriorating the value of the land.” Mr Jull: “The grass, even 100 yards from the road fence, is so thick with dust that the cattle will not touch it." Mr Macky reviewed the position at some length from the Waipa County's point of view. At first he said the Main Highways’ Board offered to do the work on a fifty-fifty basis with Hie Waipa Council. A tally showed that 90 per cent, of the traffic using the road was through traffic and only 10 per cent, local traffic. After several long discussions, the Board decided to subsidise the work on £3 to £1 basis. The road was then surveyed (incidentally costing the council nearly £1000) hut when the job was completed Hie board had no money as tlie Government had taken it. Mr Macky detailed the negotiations made and added that lie did not think there was any hope of getting the work done for several years. " The county would like to see the work done as much, if not more than anybody,” lie concluded, “ hut the Highways Board has not got the money and nothing can bo done.”

Mr Civil then explained at some length lhe difficulties of the survey amt added that the Franklin County ami many others were in the same position. Government Should Do It. 11. was mentioned that as 1 lie Government had appropriated the Highways Boards’ funds Hie responsibility should rest- on litem. The work was alisolulely vilal and the Government should move in the mat ter. The following resolution was unanimously carried: "Thai the Waipa County i amneil lie requesled lo send a ilcpu|alion In |!u* Members of Rarliamenl in the district (lion. J. A. Young, Messrs F. Lye, D. Slewart Reid, and W. .1. Broad fool , and In also invile I'l’prcsenlatiu's from lhe ll.mtillon Borough Council. Hamilton Chamber iContinued in next column.)

of Commeroe, A.A.A., and To Rapa ratepayers to attend, to discuss the question of placing a permanent surface on the main highway between Ngaruawahia and Kihikitii.” It was thought advisable that the council should wait until the session had closed so that all the members could he reached. Mr Macky and Mr Civil answered several questions and there were several lengthy discussions on ways and means of allaying the dust. A speed limit of between 25 and 35 miles per hour was advocated hut it was decided that the only real solution was the permanent surfacing of the road and all efforts will lie brought to hear in this connection. At the close of Hie meeting, Mr Macky said that the council was in sympathy with the ratepayers and would do iis utmost lo relieve them of the dusl menace.