PAYNE’S GULLY ROAD

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1925, Page 2

PAYNE’S GULLY ROAD

MINISTER S PROMISE. Mr Jas. O’Brien, M.P., has received from the .Minister of Public Works the following letter in reference to the above road: — Sir, —The Hon. G. J ; . Anderson has referred to me for consideration, with a request that a reply be forwarded direct to yourself, particulars of the represent al io.im iiuhlv to him at Kumara recently by n deputation of settlers, introduced by yourself, which urged (hfit Uiivm-’a Gully Road be romploted. lu leply. 1 hnvo the honour to inform yon fhni mi engineering report on th.' pvemmf position of this road Im-: been submitted for my perusal. Prom thm if appears that the total length o< the road from the TaramaLnu IhMgo to Harris Road is 5 miles i-A vlmiim. of which a distance of 4 mil<’- to chains is formed and partly (Hofalled. the remaining length of I mill' ’.'o rlmim. is through standing Uw.h, ami is unformed. Tlje already- ■ dim-,! soclion is stated to have, fall. ,i uno disrepair, and to bring it hack proper order is estimated to cost • ’ •hhv of £6OO. The estimated t t<> i \ . omplete the whole road .'now n U‘.->5O. It appeal-, i.owever, that these setHers already have good access by the metalled Greenstone Tmnniakau or Tula rnakau Settlement Road which is only 21 Io 3 miles longer than Payne’s Gully Rond —hot seven ns stated in th? representations to the Hon. Mr Anderson. The grades of the Taramnknn Settlement Road are also reported to be much better than on the latter road, and when the Taramakau River is low, the settlors also have access 1 ) the Arthur’s Pass-Kumnra, Rond. When the Ronds Estimates for the financial year 1924-25 were being compiled, the Grey 'County Council made application for a free money gran! of £5OO for formation in connection with the Payne’s Gully Road, hut on account of the limitation of funds, f was unable to sec my way to mak? provision .for a grant ’of £l5O only. This, of course, in view of the above estimated cost is insufficient to do any material good, and in view oi Ihe tact that the settlers already enjoy a metalled road outlet it if- very doubtful whether any expenditure is justified at present. I have, however, noted the settlors’ representations in the matter, r.nd when the Estimates for the current 6 nancial year are being prepared, T will be pleased to again consider the question of making provision for this road.”