NEW SUMMIT ROAD OPENED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 16

NEW SUMMIT ROAD OPENED

BUILT AT A COST OP £155,000

MINISTER FOR PUBLIC WORKS AT CEREMONY Constructed at a total cost of £155,000 —"a phenomenal sum which could have been reduced by twothirds by the use of modern methods and machinery," the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) stated —the nine and a half miles section of the Summit road, from Evans Pass to the Sign of the Kiwi, was opened by Mr Semple on Saturday afternoon. All the speeches at the ceremony, organised by the Automobile Association (Canterbury) and the Summit Road and Sign of the Takahe Citizens' Committee, contained references to the vision of the late Mr H. G. Ell in the development of the scenic attractions of the Port Hills and hopes that his dream of a 53-miles road from Godley Head to Akaroa would be accomplished. The work of building rest and tea houses and roads and tracks on the Port Hills for the public of Canterbury had been carried on intermittently since it was started by Mr Ell, the moving spirit, and a few enthusiasts 38 years ago, said Mr J. Maling, chairman of the Citizens' Committee, who presided. Lake its predecessors, the committee was always short of funds, but, thanks to the energy of Mr Semple and other Ministers, the first section of the Summit road was completed. The Summit road was always in the forefront of the aims of the Automobile Association, said the president (Mr O. C. Harley), who with Mr T. H. McCombs, M.P., Mr G. Williams (chairman of the Heathcote County Council), and Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon, spoke appreciatively of the Government's assistance and the work of Mr P. W. Langbein (District Public Works Engineer), and the men employed on the job. "Milestone of Development" "The opening of this road represents another milestone on the journey of development," said Mr Semple. He emphasised that the route was of national value, the hills being one of the wonder spots of New Zealand. Some made absurd criticism of the , expenditure of public funds on the opening-up of the scenic resorts of the country, but the Government's view was that every New Zealander should see his own land and be given the means, » provided he assisted in production, to enjoy leisure and holidays. He made no apology or excuses to the taxpayers for spending money on the development of beauty spots. Although great work had been done in the country since the pioneers arrived, much remained to be done. From 1900 till the time of bis death, Mr Ell fought for the development of the hills, and now a part of his dream was being realised. When the work was conducted under the Unemployment Board, the workers had blunt gads and hammers with which to cut the rock, and they were refused supplies of gelignite. Those methods had, been responsible for the cost of the road reaching the phenomenal sum of £155,000, whereas, using modern' methods and machinery, as had been adopted in the last 18 months, the cost could have been one-third that sum. Until 53 miles of road from Godley Head to Akaroa, linking the many lovely reserves and native bush, was constructed, it could not be said that Mr Ell's dream had been accomplished. A paper weight, composed of a silver kiwi on a greenstone base was presented by the committee and the Automobile Association \o Mr Semple, who, before declaring the road opened, presented to Mrs Ell a handsome casket. The ribbon across the road was cut by Mrs Ell and the Minister's car headed a long stream of traffic qn the trip to Evan's Pass. FRIENDS REMEMBER MR ELL "It is fitting that on this day when his scheme is partially carried out we should remember Mr Ell," said Mr John Mac Gibbon, a close friend, at Mr Ell's graveside at Halswell on Saturday, when a wreath from the citizens was deposited. "He had ideals which he pursued, encountering many difficulties which, to the ordinary man. would have Been insuperable. I believe, that hiu work will be more fully appreciated by the future generations."