GREY AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 August 1931, Page 3

GREY AUTOMOBILE ASSN.

ANNUAL REPORT. The following is the report to be .presented at the annual meeting o£ the Grey Automobile Association: Your executive is pleased to report that during the past year there has been considerable progress made in opening up new roads and in the improvement of many existing ones on this Coast. The bridge over the Fox River was completed last November, since when communication by the Coastal route between Greymouthand AVestport has become well established. Roacl connection between Bell Hill and Rotomanu has been brought about, while all that remains to complete the motor route between Mitchells and Inchbonnie is the bridge over the Orangapuku.

The Grey County Council have now completed the new road to Lake Hauplri. This will now enable motorists to do the rduud trip touching at the four lakes, Lake Haupiri, Lady Lake, Lake Poerua and Lake Brunner.

Two bridges over streams on the Kdtuku-Tnchbonriie Road have been •erected, and three between Kotuku junction and Bell Hill, so that it can now be said that access for motor vehicles to the various parts of the Grey County has been greatly facilitated, especially as your Association has Spent a very considerable amount of money in having these various roads wel provided with signs—a fact which we are sure all motorists will appreciate.

The necessity of completing the above roads, has at all times been kept before the Public Works Department, so that it is a matter for congratulation that our aims have at last been accomplished. Another important work which has been completed since our last annual meeting is the new traffic bridge over the river at Ahaura. This has long been much needed, the urgency for its construction being on many occasions stressed by your delegates when interviewing the Highways Board. We have to thank the Grey County Council for the improvements made at the junction of the roads to Reefton and Nelson Creek. The cutting back of the hill has greatly improved the visibility. The Sister Hills near Ngahere have also been widened. A bridge has also been erected at the first little Hohonu River ford on the GreenstoneMitchells Road, and it is hoped that the second erdssing will be put on this year’s estimates. Teremakau Bridge: Although the road on the south side of this bridge has been greatly improved, the Association still considers the bridge is a danger to users, and is again petitioning the Railways Department to install wigwags or other danger signals. Throughout the year we have lost no opportunity of pressing for the undertaking of what we have always held to be the most important works affecting the interests of West Coast motor traffic. These are the completion of the east to west coast highway by bridging the Waimakariri River, and the shortening of the Main South Road by the deviation from Kapitea to Flowery Creek. Referring to the former work, it should be quite unncessary after our several years of agitation to reiterate the claims it has on the Highways Board. The road from Springfield to Otira has been in constant use for 65 years, is well constructed and maintained, but Unfortunately has its utility enormorously impaired through the want of even a light bridge over the dangerous and difficult Waimakiri River. Your executive has written to the Premier, interviewed the Highways Board, discussed the matter with the member for this district and finally has urged the C.A.A. to renew their campaign for the carrying out of this work of Dominion importance. We are pleased to report that We learn that surveys have now been completed and a definite site chosen for a bridge, but we regret that the Highways Board state that finances; will not, permit of Its being placed on this year's estimates. The other great bar to efficient road transport on this coast is the circuitous course of the Main between Grdymouth and Hokitika. Every vehicle doing the return journey between

these two points is compelled to travel 18 miles more than should be necessary. Consideration of the large number of cars annually doing this: journey should convince the authorities of the enormous loss thus resulting to the community. We have spared no efforts for many years now in pleading the necessity of straightening up this route by carrying it from Kapitea to Flowery Creek by way of the coast line. Signs are at last evident that attention is being directed to the disadvantages of the present zigzag main road, and we trust that with the improvement of the Board’s revenue, we shall see our aims accomplished.

As you will remember the C.A.A. last year promised to help this Association by sending over one of their patrols to enrol new members throughout the district and to help in collecting outstanding subscriptions. We are pleased to report that Mr. Pickles arrived here early in May and spent about six weeks on this Coast in carrying out the above duties, and also in erecting many useful road signs. By his efforts, some 60 new members were enrolled and other useful work for the benefit of the Association was carried out. During the year all water courses on the Christchurch Road between Taipo and Arthur’s Pass have had necessary warning signs erected as well as useful direction posts in the vicinity. Realising as we do the benefits arising to this community from unimpaired road communication from West to East Coast, your Association pointed out to the C.A.A. the great advantages which would be derived from a light bridge over Peg Leg Creek on top of the Otira Gorge, and recommended that a grant of £25 be offered to the No. 12 Highways Board towards the cost of this work. This Board, we understand, is also considering the advisability of placing a substantial bridge over McGrath’s Creek. The completion of these two bridges would then give free communication in almost all weathers to the Arthur’s Pass National Park. In this connection we take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation of the improvements effected by the No. 12 Highways Board in the laying down of concrete culverts in the Gorge, which has resulted in keeping the road surface in excellent order. Car Insurance. —‘Members are gradually becoming conversant with the S.I.M.U. scheme and the savings which can be effected by taking out their policies with this Union. To receive these benefits a motorist must be a member of an affiliated motor association.

The Association is indebted to the local bodies and their engineers for the very ready attention given to requests of the Association for improvements on the roads. We have also to thank our delegate, Mr. H. C. Harley, for the interest taken in matters connected with this branch of the C.A.A. We have also to thank the Press for the publicity given at all times to our work, aims, and requirements.