MURCHISON COUNTY NEEDS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 July 1929, Page 8

MURCHISON COUNTY NEEDS.

DEPUTATION SEES HON. E. A. RANSOM RESTORING HYDRO SYSTEM WELLINGTON, Last Night. A deputation to the Minister of Public/Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom) today asked for relief in respect to earthquake damage in the Murchison district. Mr. Stewart chairman of the County Council, said the position was hopeless. The County could not restore the damage and free- grants- were needed to open up all the Valley roads. A fourfoot stock track was wanted down the Duller Gorge. It was necessary that the Midland railway should he comas soon as possible, also the Lewis Saddle highway. In replying sympathetically, the Minister said the Buller road would be opened op but the slips had to consolidate. All matters would be carefully considered. In introducing the deputation, Mr G. C. Black, M.P. stated that £12,1150 waswanted by the County to restore roads, £2OOO for the re-establishment of the hydro-electric scheme and a grant of £2OOO to conserve the interests of thePublic Trustee on a loan of £15,000. Highways Board Will Reform Gorge Route YEAR’S WORK AT LEAST. WELLINGTON, Last Night. In its report of its last monthly meeting on July 17 and IS, the Main Highways Board says"it lias decided it will ultimately re-open the road through the Buller Gorge between Murchison and Lyell. This portion of the highway was at present entirely blocked to traffic and from information available, it appeared that it. would bo at least 12 to 18 months before trafficcould use the road. The board had already arranged for the construction of pack tracks, so that survey parties could commence operations. In the meantime, traffic from Nelson to the West Coast will proceed by the Murehiison-Maruia-Reefton route on which men are now working so that, traffic can get through regularly.