DIE GESKIEDENIS VAN DIE NATIONALE PAAIE IN SUID AFRIKA

104 pp including index/register. The first fifteen pages are devoted to preliminary matters and pages 1 to 104 are text, including References, an Appendix and Index; Pictorial boards, maps and colour and b/w photographs. A good copy with no blemishes.

Foreword by Hendik Schoeman, the then Minister of Transport and A.B. Eksteen, chairman of the National Roads Committee

When the Union of South Africa was created, in 1910, it was felt that long distance travel was a matter for the railways, while other vehicles would be restricted fairly closely to urban areas. Railways were always a national matter but roads were regarded as a provincial affair. By 1935, however, the road traffic had grown to such an extent that it was felt necessary to create a National Road Board to recommend, to the Governor-General, that certain roads should be improved or constructed in the national interest. The old Road Board was eventually replaced by a National Transport Commission, who did a sterling job. For example while a road reserve of 20 feet would have sufficed in 1935, the Board recommended 100 feet to accommodate two dual carriageways.

The book was written to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of the Road Board - and the advances in road building, especially between 1965 and 1985.