THE HAWEA-TIMARU CREEK ROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 11

THE HAWEA-TIMARU CREEK ROAD

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Having recently spent a little time at Lake Hawea, and having several times had occasion to visit friends camping at Timaru Creek—a delightful spot some five miles up the right-hand side of this lake—l wish, on behalf of campers and all others who have to use the road from the foot of the lake to Timaru Creek to enter an emphatic protest concerning the state of it. I am informed that a man is paid 10s per working day from the Unemployment Fund to spend three days per week in keeping this particular stretch or road in repair. The fact remains that the state of the road is shocking. One’s car is lucky to escape with nothing worse than a broken spring, and the bumping, jolting,

and discomfort to which the occupants are subjected is most unpleasant. Tons of suitable gravel are available within a few yards of any portion of the road. Yet, in many places, bare lumps or rock are exposed, and in others the stlrface consists of six inches or more of fine dust covering potholes deep enough to cause inconvenience and danger The sides of the road have been so neglected that one hesitates to take a good car along to get it scratched by bracken and other overhanging growth, and so narrow has the track become that two cars have difficulty in passing. A very little work would suffice to make numerous crossing places. If it is correct that the money for the maintenance of this stretch of road comes out of tjie Unemployment Fund, I feel that campers, travellers, and the public as a whole have every right to complain of the sorry value they are getting in this-.instance for their 30s per week.— I am,' etc., Bunas.