LEWIS PASS ROAD

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1935, Page 6

LEWIS PASS ROAD

(Our Own Correspondent.) There was a representative attendance at the Council Chambers, Reef ton, in relation to urging that work be started at the Maruia end of the Lewis Pass road. Air. F. W. Archer, County Chairman, presided, and introduced the business of the meeting. This work, he contended, was of the greatest importance to the district, and he read several letters on the subject in which the District Engineer said he did not think it advisable to start work at Maruia until the spring. A further letter stated that the money available was not quite sufficient to complete the bridges at the Canterbury end. He referred to the fact that at the deputation to the Prime Minister early this year the Minister deci-u that it was time this work was commenced. In consultation with the County Engineer, that gentleman fated the bridge over the Hope River would cost about £4OOO and the one over the Boyle a lesser amount. The expenditure on these bridges would still leave a large sum of the £35,000 to expend. He contended that this end of the district was equally entitled to have the work started.

Mr. Patteron pointed out that a conference of Progress Leagues was to be held at Christchurch shortly and they should take the matter up. It was patent that the two bridges could not require all the unexpended money. They should ask the Public Works Department and the Minister in Wellington the design and cost of these bridges He pointed out that the work on the Canterbury side was principally on improving the road instead of extending it The Chairman said they did not ask when at the deputation at Wellington to have the work started at Maruia end. Their whole concern was to have the work started and completed Mr. I. Patterson pointed out that quite recently a contract was let for a road from Palmer’s to Newcombe’s at the Brown Grey. The Government had stated that their efforts were to open up roads for settlement and yet the Lewis Pass Road offered greater facilities for settlement than many of the works being gone on with. Hp was prepared to move that Inangahua district be transferred to the Nelson district from the Greymouth district. He moved “That this public meeting

expresses grave disappointment at the I failure of the Government to carry out' the promise made by the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister for the speedy completion of the Lewis Pass road, inasmuch as no work whatever has been (lone on the western end since such promise was given, and we strongly urge that such work be undertaken immediately from the western end with an adequate gang of men and carried on to completion. This community, through this public meeting feels and expresses the utmost indignation at the failure of the Cabinet to carry out the promise of the Rt. Hon the Prime Minister to this community.” Seconded by Mr. 11. Cooper. Mr. Patterson said the work could be carried out as expeditiously in the winter as well as the summer. Mr. Lockington asked if any protest had been made by the Council re the bridging of the Waimakariri River. The chairman said they were only concerned about their own roads. Mr. Jas Patterson thought they should also approach the Minister of Health and Tourist Resorts. This officer had been the principal in getting the Eglington scenic road started. H«* thought this meeting should go further than express disappointment. They should express indignation at the Maruia road being neglected. In reply to Mr. T. Baird, the chair-, man said that Mr. Burberry pointed out that the road was being constructed i 27 feet wide. This was pointed out I to the Hon. Mr. Bitehener when he was in Reefton. and that gentleman said a narrower road would not carry the traffic. In reply to Mr. Cooper, the cnairman said these objections had been made before. He thought they should ask that the work be gone on with at once. Mr. T. Patterson pointed out that the Lewis Pass road also would give connection with Marlborough, via the Ada. They should use force to gain their ends. Tn reply to Dr. Conlon. Mr. Tatter son said that Marlborough sent about ten per cent, of their population to Wellington to urge their The Lewis Pass road was also in the Prime Ministers’ electorate. Ho referred to the attitude of stationholdors not favouring the extension of the road owing to having to fence their holdings. Mr. W. P». Auld pointed out that the road was now past these holdings. Dr. Conlon pointed out that the Otira Tunnel was working at capacity now.

ami another route was required. This must be by the Lewis Pass. The present meeting might not see it. but it would come to pass. Mr. Cooper pointed out that a survey for a railway over the Lewis Pass was made by Mr. Thornton over 50 years ago, and the details were worked out in the office he then occupied. The chairman put the motion and declared it carried unanimously. It was decided to forward the resolution to Messrs P .C. Webb, H. Atmore, K. J. Holyoake, M.P. ’s, the Ministers of Public Works and Tourist and Health. Also the Canterbury, Westport, Hamner and Nelson Progress Leagues. Murchison and Buller County Councils, Westport and Nelson City Councils, with a request that those Progress Leagues and local bodies cooperate with the object of putting the work in hand immediately, and, further. that each of the Progress Leagues take steps to have the matter brought before the forthcoming conand substantial support of that conference and urge their local political representatives to take steps to secure ference of South Island Progress Leagues. so as to secure the most active the immediate commencement of active operations for the completion of what this meeting considers a national asset. Mr. Auld stated that Mr. L. Schimtt. secretary of the Tourist Department. would be in Reefton in about a fortnight and would it be advisable to approach him re the Maruia as a tourist resort. It was decided to leave this matter to the County Council. Dr. Conlon referred to the fact that the Minister of Mines had never visited Reefton. He had visited Murchison. Westport. Greymouth, but had never come here. Could anyone suggest a reason, or was it because the district had such a small voting power? The chairman: Perhaps that is his reason. A heartv vote of thanks tn the chair concluded the meeting.