ROAD ACCESS IN BACK COUNTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 14 January 1936, Page 2

ROAD ACCESS IN BACK COUNTRY

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER TAYLOR'S CREEK ROUTE TO MARUIA (From Our Special Reporter) A suggestion that a shorter route could he obtained from Murchison to the Maruia Valley by road formation up Taylor's Creek was made by Mr T. Morel, chairman of the Murchison County Council to the Minister of Public Works, the lion. R. Semple. Mr Morel said expert advice had been obtained on the question of shortening the route to the Maruia, it being considered that a road following Taylor's creek would serve the purpose. The County Council would undertake the survey for submission to the Department for consideration, if it was a practicable proposition. The Minister said the Council might give some idea of the cost while it was making the investigation. After the survey had been made details of the scheme should be submitted to the Department. ROADS DAMAGED BY EARTHQUAKE The chairman of the County Council pointed out to the Minister that there were a number of back country roads in the county which had been damaged by the earthquake, but which had not yet been reformed. There were two in the Maruia, one in the Matin, and one in the Tutaki valley. The land had been taken up again since the earthquake, and the settlers were suffering through lack of proper access. The request was for the re-formation of the roads.

The Minister in reply stated that the Government wished to help such settlers. He asked the council to make a schedule of the roads requiring such attention and the estimated cost of the work, then submit them to the Department for uotisidoration.