ACCESS TO ICEFIELDS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 192, 27 May 1938, Page 3

ACCESS TO ICEFIELDS.

MOUNT HARPER ROAD WORK. (Special to the “ Guardian.”) GERALDINE, May 26. A decision to carry out further improvements to the Rangitata Gorge road, which gives access to the ice skating area at Mount Harper, was made by the Geraldine County Council yesterday. The engineer reported that an attempt would be made to complete the work ns far as Cole Creek before winter set in. The section of road which had been graded in April was standing up well, ho said, in spite of the gravelling being badly held up because of unfavourable weather.

Reply to a request for a subsidy on necessary bridges on the Mount Harper road, the Hon. R. Semple (Minister for Public Works) advised that a subsidy of £3 for £1 had been provided for strengthening the road. After considering the now request about bridging, said Air 'Semple, lie felt that a similar subsidy could bo ottered for this particular work. At the moment there were no funds available, but he suggested that the council should make an application for a £3 for £1 bridge grant in time for bis department’s next estimates. Cr. F. R. Flatman mentioned that tile proposal to build a road on the Ashburton side of the river bad not been dropped altogether. If this were done a new bridge over the Rnngitata Gorge would he necessary.