LAST SIX MILES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18921, 9 February 1927, Page 9

LAST SIX MILES.

GREYMOUTH-WESTPORT ROAD. DEPUTATION URGES T COMPLETION. .; Supporting the request from tfti Greymouth Chamber of Commerce that the Government be urged to posh forward the work of completing the coastwise road from Grcymoutb to Westport, a deputation from the Canterbury Progress League met the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. Mr Dowsio Stewart) at the Christchurch railway station last night, when the Minister arrived from the south en route to Wellington. The deputation, which was introduced by Mr H. Holland, M.P., consisted of the following:—Messrs J. A. Flasher, W. Goss. J. Stony, HL J. Knight, Wi J. Jenkin, and P. R. dimie (secretary). Mr Holland said that the members of the League had travelled on tho road in question, and they thought that it was their duty to place the matter before the Minister. Mr Fleshex said that there www only six miles of the road to be pottpletcd, but the (completion involved the construction of three bridges. When the road was completed, arejrmouth - would be in direct communication with Westport. The distance would be practically cut in half by the oompl*. lion of the road. It was a matter that was of interest to the whole of tiw Dominion. Previously the two town* had been cut off by floods ami the people had been greatly ioconvenitn* ced. Mr Fleiher spoke on the affect the road would have on increasing the ' revenue of tho Railway Department aid - also the effect on tourist trifle. Speaking from experience, he said the , motor drive from Greymouth to Ptine> kaiki was one of the finest In the Do* minion The tourist traffic po thM West Coast was going to be larger' and . more important in the future, in coo- •' elusion, the speaker asked the Minister to do oil in his power to farther, the project. It was understood that 1 there,, were demands from all parts of the Dominion, but no work could aVtnoro in giving genera) satisfaction tharith* completion of the road. He submitted' that the Government should continue this road which it had commenced. Mr Knight also spoke, saying that the road was much needed, and wfetld undoubtedly prove a vast benefit. In reply, Mr Downie Stewart said that it was a question of whether or sot tho money was available for the worn. He understood that if unemployed tain were put on the work, they would hart to be under skilled men. Ha hafl made enquiries to ascertain if If could be treated as relief work for the Onemployed, and as yet had had no reply. He would enquire further into the matter when he reached Wellington.