NEW SCENIC ROUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 11

NEW SCENIC ROUTE.

MILFORD ROAD SCHEME

LIABILITY FOR WORK

CHARGE ON HIGHWAYS

board ?

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DUXEDIN", this day

It is obvious that influences have been at work to force the Main Highways Board to accept the unformed portion of the Milford scenic road as a liability on its funds. From information gathered in Dunedin the Highways Board objected to that course being adopted, and it is evident that the Minister responsible, presumably tho Hon. J. Bitcliener, has overruled the objection and declared the road to be a main highway.

Otago motorists feel strongly on the subject. The road is looked upon as a national asset for the purpose of attracting tourists from abroad, from whom New Zealand generally -will derive benefit. The Milford road will undoubtedly be an added attraction to the scenic charms of the Dominion and it is, therefore, considered to be a just claim by the motorists that its formation and expense should be paid out of general revenue. Motorists agree that a reasonable suggestion would be that on its completion the maintenance of the road should be a charge on the Main Highways fund, "but to saddle the f-uml with the initial cost is not equitable either to tho motorists or the local bodies, particularly as the construction from To Anau to the Homer Saddle was a charge on tho Public Works fund, with some assistance from the Unemployment Board.