THE LEITH-WAITATI ROAD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 18

THE LEITH-WAITATI ROAD.

IMPROVEMENTS URGED

DEPUTATION TO WAIKOUAITI COUNTY COUNCIL.

A deputation consisting l of Messrs V 7. Wright (president cf tho Otago Motor Club), H. ilalliday, and W. B. Steel (secretary of the Otago Expansion League), yesterday waited on the VVaikouaiti County Council in regard to tho opening up and improvement of the Leith-Waitati road.

Mr Wright stated that the chief business was to ask that tho road over the top of the Leith Valley to Waitali Valley be metalled and put- in order. Tho matter had been brought before tho Dunedin City Council some years ago, and ho thought the time was now opportune to have the matter brought to finality, as the Exhibition would soon bo opened. This meant that a large number of people would come to Dunedin, and one of the best means of advertising tho country was to have good roads. With reference to the road in question, ho could say that from the Dunedin side it was not in a bad state, but on the opposite side there was plentv to be done. Ho would like to see tho County Council and tho Dunedin City get together and have it put in order. Such a step would result in more traffic using the road, and it would be oasv to maintain. It would be aclm tted that one of tho first tilings a farmer looked for was a good road. He could not say what his club would do in regard to finance, and it was not in a position to tax the motorist. The club paia taxes, but in addition to this it was trying to open up roads. The club was limited because its resources were limited, but if the matter went as far aa it wo 3 hoped it would the club would doeverything to assist. The speaker referred to the beautiful scenery which could be seen from the road, and which very few people knew existed, and stressed the fact that tho club was doing its best to have something done in popularising the road. Mr Ilalliday said one of the advantages to be obtained by having the road put in order was that it would attract people. At tho present time they had only one road, and if their suggestion was put. into effect the new road would take the bulk of the traffic, especially from those motorists who were not in a hurry. He had not seen a more beautiful piece of country than that to he seen from the road, and he was sure its advantages, in more ways than one, wore realised by the council. He would point out that they had come before the council with a view of asking it to do the work, while they did nothing. The Dunedin City Council, ho was sure, would assist also, as it had taken an interest in tho road. As far as the club was concerned it was going to start a subscription list, and it would be upon this that it would depend. He asked that, the council put road in order, and it would be sure of material help from the club. At the present time the road was practically a bush track. ■ All they wanted was a road, and it did not matter about the grades or width so long as it was a road. There were two fords to cross, but he suggested that if these were widened the water would b e shallow enough to permit a car to cross. Mr Steel said his league stood for anything that was going to improve and advance the country. He could assure the council that tho league would as far as possible, give every assistance. He realised that it was not fair to ask tho council to bear tho whole burden, but it was not. intended that it should. If this road was made the country through which it passed would, in time, become a residents area, and therefore, he thought the council would gain something. He felt sure that a conference between the County Council and tho Dunedin City Council would finally clinch the matter, and he hoped the council would it ini all seriousness, and then outside bodies would come in and take an interest. , ~ , , Mr E. Laley (chairman) said he know the road well, and some time ago had accompanied the city engineer to got an estimate as to what it would cost to put itin order. That estimate had been £750. Ihe Government was approached and the council had secured a grant of £250, but as the balance was not forthcoming the money in hand was spent in metalling. . orno portions of the road would be difficult to maintain, a,s some bad slips had occurred at various points. There was then the Burns bridge to be taken into account, and he did not think it would stand traffic The council had asked for a grant, but it was still on the estimates. He would like to see something done before the Exhibition so long as it did not burden the ratepayers, who rightly objected to paying f°Cr°p er Bria3oo said he thought the fords could be crossed, but the slips had to bo watched. Ho did think, however that the opening up of that route would bo of inestimable value. . , f Cr J Preston said ho was in favour of the road, but ho did not think the council was justified in asking the ratepayers to spend money on a scenic attraction. In thanking the council for receiving the deputation, Mr Halliday said thai if the road was to bo put in order ho would ask that it be done at once, and bo ready before the Exhibition. . , Alter the deputation had departed the council discussed the matter at length, councillors expressing themselves as satisfied that trio scheme was a good one. It was finally decided on the motion of Cr Briscoe, to writ© tlio Dunedin City Council asking that it arrange a conference whereat the matter could be fully discussed.