BETTER ROADS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10312, 22 January 1927, Page 5

BETTER ROADS

RAPIDLY IMPROVING CONDITIONS. COOK COUNTY’S BIG PRO- * GRAMME. To-day the Cook County Council, in conjunction with the Highways Board, is engaged in the prosecution of an extensive programme cl roau construction. The aim is to provide permanent surfaces which can be maintained at a minimum cost. Working in a lesser degree, other administrative bodies in the district have the same object in view. Looking hack over the last decade a resident of the district for that period must be impressed with the changed conditions ruling to-day as compared with those of ten years ago. In 1916 a motor journey to Napier f'tom Gisborne was not to be considered lightly, and even the Coast trip was largely dependent im the condition ot the weather or the ,tides. TEN YEARS AGO. Speaking of the changed conditions, a Wellington business man the other day referred to a tyne not many years ago, when four visitors were stranded in Gisborne and the boat was not due back for several days Two ot the party were prominent counsel and their absence from home meant big expenses to be met by their clients. At a cost of £lO a head the party hired a taxi to connect up with the train at Palmerston North. Even at that price, the journey had its drawbacks and the car carried a full complement of shovels and planks with which to free the ear from the many botr holes to be found along the route. To-day several efficient services cater for every need of the travelling public and it is possible to travel from Gisborne to Wanganui in a little over twelve hours for less than £3. On the Coast ten years ago residents were entirely dependent on coaches and the boat which, weather permitting, made regular calls at Tokomaru Bay. Then," however, it was quite a costly business to get in or out. At that time part of the Coast road ran along the beach and every trip had to work in with the tides. Cars bogged in the sand were no uncommon sight and many again went to the other extreme and were caught by the waves. <Tn 1917, it will be remembered, a theatrical party travelling along Loisel’s Beach, a few miles on the Gisborne side of Tolnga Bay, was caught by the tide and many of their belongings were washed out to sea.

To-day there is a metalled road from Ruatoria right through to Napier and, if . Ministerial promises count, then it will only bo a matter of two or three years before there will be an unbroken stretch of good metal surface right up to Hicks Bay. The Cook County is going a step further, and their programme of tar-scaling, at present under way is the subject of favorable comment of visitors from all parts. Few fully realise the benefits trie district derives from the introduction of a good roads policy, especially in regard to the town.

HOW GISBORNE BENEFITS. During the last decade trade in the country "townships has been largely reduced, car owners preferring wherever possible to do their buying in town, and thus an enormous trade which originally went to _ Auckland ancl other outside centres is now being diverted to Gisborne. Even professional men have benefited. For instance, dental patients who would, a few years ago, have Waited till their annual leave, now catch a a service for Gisborne and aro back at their job next day. The trend of the retail trade to the main centres —|in the case of this district, Gisborne —can be seen in the fact that, in very few instances, have new stores been opened up in the country during the last ten years. On the other hand, many have been compelled to close down. Wholesale merchants benefit also in the fact that, whereas a few years ago Coast storekeepers obtained all their reouireuients cx the coastal boats from Auckland and southern ports, to-day a large trade ex the motor lorries working the main liigliwavs is growing up. Good progress is being recorded by the Cook County with the ro-con-struction of the main highways in that district and it is only a.matter of a few years when there will he a bitumen surface from boundary to boundary. On t>e south road, Tarawa and much of the Wharerata hill have been treated ancl from the borough boundary it is hoped to get past Mhnutuke this season The work of bitumen surfacing the Const road has not been set under way. but it is only the matter of a year or so when tin's portion of the highway will be treated.

Every assistance should be given County authorities in their battle for grants, for it must he remembered that, while county residents benefit with the improved transport facilities, the main centres must also gain. The day has passed when arterial roads were a parochial question, and the opening up of any district must bring about a reciprocity of benefits never possible under the old conditions.