ACCESS TO KAWHIA

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20440, 5 March 1938, Page 9

ACCESS TO KAWHIA

NEED FOR IMPROVED ROAD BTATE HELP WANTED FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION The problem of the provision of Improved access to Kawhia was discussed at the meeting of the Waikato sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union yesterday on the tabling of the following remit from the Ohaupo branch:— "That this executive considers that the Te Awamutu-Kawhla Road is now a tourist route and justifies the expenditure of Public Works funds to make It a first-class road and that invitations be sent to the Kawhia County Council, Kawhia Town Board, Te Awamutu Borough Council, Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce, Otorohanga County Council, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and other bodies interested to send representatives to form a delegation to wait on the Minister of Public Works soliciting assistance in this matter.” In moving the adoption of the remit, Mr. C. J. Pierce, of Ohaupo, said the idea was to provide a reasonably safe route to the seaside for Waikato people. The present road from Te Awamutu to Kawhia was not by any means one for a nervous driver. Undoubtedly, the road was sufficient for district needs during the week but the greatly augmented week-end traffic made the road definitely dangerous. It was a highway on which public money would be well spent, either in improving the present road or in opening a new one. The chairman, Mr. G. T. Crawley, In seconding the motion, said he had, with Mr. A. T. Bryant, visited Kawhia last week-end at the request of the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce. He endorsed the remarks of Mr. Pierce on the need for improved access to the coast. The Waipa County Council was improving the road surfaces from Hamilton and Te Awamutu to Pirongia at the county boundary but improvement of the whole route was much needed. At present many people were car-sick as a result of the journey to Kawhia. Mr. A. T. Bryant also supported th£ motion. The main trouble, he said, was that various bodies desired better access for various' ends, as in the case of power-supply. It would be necessary for the Kawhia people to make some decision as to which route was to be improved. The remit was adopted.