MAIN SOUTH ROAD

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 243, 27 July 1935, Page 6

MAIN SOUTH ROAD

QUESTION OF DEVIATION.

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD. A meeting of the Geraldine District Committee in connection with the Main. Highway deviation proposals, was attended by Messrs J. It. Lack (in the chair), E. J. Twigg, A. G. Brown, H. ltussell, E. Undrill, E. B. D. Logan, D. C. McKeclinie, J. M. H. Tripp, it. A, Dixon, E. It. Guinness, F. Charles and T. J. Paterson (secretary). The chairman of the Main Highways Board (Mr C. J. McKenzie), Wellington, wrote intimating that a copy of the resolution passed at the recent public meeting, convened by the Geraldine Businessmen’s Association ' had been placed before the Board at its meeting on July 18. Mr C. J. Talbot had also reported the representations which he had received in connection with the Association’s desire that a conterence be field to discuss the; deviation question. Mr McKenzie confirmed the information telegraphed to the President of the Geraldine Businessmen's Association oil July 18 by Mr Talbot that the Board had agreed to the request for a conference, and suggested that this be held at Geraldine on August 20 after the arrival of the first express at Orari. Because of the interest which had been manifested in the deviation proposal the Board suggested that the Geraldine Borough Council and the . Geraldine County Council attend the conference in then capacities as local governing authorities in the immediate district; also Hat a representative of the South Island Motor Union bo present on behalf of the general motoring public. The Board had arranged for three of its members to attend, and, in order to facilitate the business of the meeting, had proposed that the Association he represented by a delegation of three. Mr McKenzie trusted that the arrangements suggested would receive the concurrence of the Association.

Appreciation was expressed that the Board had agreed to the suggestion that a conference be held, and the secretary was instructed to reply making the necessary, arrangements. Messrs J. M. H. Tripp, E. J. Twigg, D. O. McKeclmie, and F. Charles were appointed a deputation from the District Committee to wait on the Geraldine County Council in regard to the Association’s scheme at the next meeting of the Council . The ActingrPrifne Minister, Sir Alfred Ransom, acknowledged receipt of the Association’s letter in regard to the deviation. He noted that a request had been made for the whole subject to be investigated at a conference, and would be glad to arrange for careful consideration to be given to the matter.

The Minister of Public Works (Hon. John Bitclienei) wrote that lie would assist as far as he was able to do so in furthering the welfare of Geraldine, and that lie would take the opportunity of discussing with the chairman of the Highways Board the representations which the Association . had made, with a view to the matter being given the most careful investigation and consideration.