TRADE WITH THE WEST COAST.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20905, 12 July 1933, Page 8

TRADE WITH THE WEST COAST.

NEED FOR BRIDGE AT BEALEY. COST OF TRUCKING CARS. The suggestion that the lack of a bridge or ferry over the Waimakariri river at Bealey was a serious handicap to Christchurch business firms dealing on the West Coast was made to the council of the Canterbury Automobile Association last evening by Mr F. W. Freeman. Mr F. W. Johnston reported that he had discussed with Mr A. Tyndall, engineer to the Main Highways Board, the scheme for an undercarriage for towing cars over the river. Mr Tyndall favoured the idea. A plan was to be submitted to him, and the board would go into the question of a subsidy. Mr Freeman said he had received a complaint from a man who went to the West Coast 24 times a year. The charges for towing and those made by the Railway Department for trucking cars were a serious deterrent to trade with the Coast. He suggested that an extra surfaceman could be engaged, either by the Highways Board or by the county council concerned. These men usually had horses in their camps, and a better service might result. It was a very serious matter for the two coasts to be connected by a main highway such as the present one. The Otira pass was blocked and it was really only a six months road. It was the Government's responsibility and duty to see that the river was bridged, or that free carriage across the river was provided for cars. The fact that business men could not get through easily in their cars was diverting a lot of business from Christchurch. Mr J. S. Hawkes, the secretary, said that one reason why the Railway Department would not reduce the freight was because commercial travellers loaded their cars with goods, and they were then trucked like ordinary cars. The president, Mr W. R. Carey, said there was no doubt that travellers were including the Coast in the Nelson territory and working it from Nelson. There was a good road from Nelson to Westport, and the new coast road put Greymouth two hours away from Westport. Mr Freeman: The key that will unlock the door will be the Lewis Saddle road. The report was adopted.