OTIRA ROUTE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31323, 20 March 1967, Page 14

OTIRA ROUTE

Buses May Be Permitted

Although no announcement was made by the National Roads Board after it had made an inspection of the Otira Gorge route on Saturday, there is a possibility that buses will again be permitted to use this highway. This is the feeling held by the private motorists’ representative on the No. 12 District Roads Council, Mr W. G. Bryant, of Hokitika.

Members of the council toured with the board, and discussions were held with the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board.

Mr Bryant said it might be some time before the board made any announcement, but its members had been greatly surprised at the opposition to the ban on buses over the route.

The Minister of Works (Mr Allen) said in Greymouth on Friday, that the main consideration at present was the sealing of the Haast Pass road but at the same time he expressed the view that roads should be brought up to tourist standard and for this reason it is possible that some financial allocation will be made for the Otira Gorge route.

Bank Rate Cut.—Holland's bank rate was lowered to 4} per cent from 5 per cent today, the Netherlands Bank announced. Amsterdam, March 15.