NELSON-BLENHEIM ROAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 10 April 1922, Page 4

NELSON-BLENHEIM ROAD

CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES

PROPOSED

The problem of the Nclson-Blenhoim road came before the Omaha Road Board at its meeting on Thursday last in the form of a request from the Relorus Road Board for assistance in maintaining the portion of the roan between the Wairau Bridge and the Rai Saddle on a percentage basis with oilier local bodies.

The Chairman (.Mr D. McCalium) said ho did not want the Board, in discussing the matter, to take the Relorus Board’s request literally, but be wanted members to treat it as a means to an end. Jt was obvious to all that the ratepayers could not keep those roads up, and the Omaka Board had a great deal of sympathy with the Relorus Board, for they them, solves had to maintain the section of the main road from the Opawa to the I Dash wood. While not accepting the I Relorus Board’s suggestions in toto, surely they could rise to the occasion and find a way of dealing with these main highways. As far as its section of the road was concerned, the Relorus Board was in dire circumstances, and it Avas impossible for them to maintain the road for the car services and all and sundry. The Relorus Board’s letter opened up the whole question and ivas just a ihoa-c to bring the whole matter before the public. All true reforms bad come after a great deal of backing and! filling, and he was sure that if the problem was courageously handled, they would all ultimately have good roads fit to carry the traffic they Avere called on to provide for to-day. Replying to a question by Mr R. Ham( the chairman said the Omaka Board’s section of the road between the Opawa and Dashwood had to carry all the main road, traffic. Mr Ham: And wo hate not asked for assistance in keeping it up. j The chairman pointed out that the I position Avas rather different to the Relorus Board’s, because the Omaka district Avas more closely settled. Mr G. Boyce said bo did not see the use of discussing the matter. If thev did not want to agree to the Relorus Board’s allocation scheme, the best plan Avas to do nothing, and then a. commission Avould bo appointed. 1 The chairman said be bad the idea of calling a conference of all the local bodies on the matter. . . Mr Boyce expressed the opniion that such conference did not lead o> anything. • i A general discussion on the Relorus ! Board’s proposed allocations followed, during which Mr J. Cary pointed out that the Waimea County Council was not included in the allocations, and expressed the opinion that the Omaka Board should be similarly exempt. Mr Boyce moved: “That the Omaka Board cannot see its way to entertain the proposal suggested by the Relorus Board.” . . Mr Bary seconded the motion, Aviuch was carried. The chairman then moved that the Relorus Road Board be asked to call a conference of the local bodies of the district to discuss the matter of better road construction. Mr Bary seconded the motion, winch was carried, it being understood that not only the bodies affected by the Nelson road problem, but all the district local bodies, should be invited to attend the conference. /