PORT CHALMERS HIGHWAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24775, 27 November 1941, Page 8

PORT CHALMERS HIGHWAY

NEED FOR IMPROVEMENTS VIEW OF EXPANSION LEAGUE A decision to approach the Prime Minister uvtr I'rascf; during his stay j.i Dunedin to impress upon mm tne urgency for some attention oemg given 10 providing a siraignter ana wider highway from Dunedin to Pori Chalmers was readied at die monthly meeting of the Otago Expansion League on Tuesday night. Correspondence from the Minister of Public Works (Mill. T. Armstrong) concerning the road was read, and a lengthy discussion took place. In reply to a letter from the league, the Minister advised that the desirability of effecting improvements to this highway was fully appreciated, but the estimated cost of the proposals was considerable and much in excess of what the Highways Board could possibly hope to finance under existing conditions. The necessity for a curtailment of the expenditure of capital funds in order to provide for the prior demands of war expenditure was stressed by Mr Armstrong. Until conditions imnroved. he held little hope of the work being undertaken. The president. (Mr H. M. Mac Kay) reported that representations *had been made by the league some 12 months ago to the Public Works Deportment and the Main Highways Board for alterations to be carried nut. but. because of ihe unsettled conditions overroas and the fact that the Pmitod fundava'Mble were fnllv required for expenditure to which the board w n<; committed. it had been impossible to secure any immediate action. Rail Car Service The question of a night rail car service between Christchurch and Dunedin. which had been suggested by business people in Dunedin, was discussed. The opinion was expressed that the opportunity of advocating this much-needed service should not be lost. The league, it was stated, could justly claim to be pioneers in endeavours to obtain the rail car, because it was now 20 years ago since this subject had been first introduced, and every endeavour made to educate the public and legislators generally of its suitability for New Zealand conditions. The league looked forward to the day when the promise given.by the Railways Department to supolv a rail car unit to Otago would be fulfilled, and ihe league trusted the day was not far distant when it would be universally adopted on branch and suburban passenger lines. General Business

The need for supporting any agitation in favour of a permit being given to the T. and G. Life Insurance Society to erect a new building in Princes street, was stressed by several members, and it was decided to approach the authorities concerned in an endeavour to have this essential work put m hand. It was stated that every opporUtility would be taken by the league to press for the necessary permission, and eulogistic reference was made to the action taken by the Mayor in bringing this matter before the authorities concerned. „ _ The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce wrote assuring the league Jhat the question of afforestation, as submitted to the City Council, had not been lost sight, of. and that at present the chamber was awaiting the report of the special committee set up by the council to investigate the proposals submThe league noted with pleasure from p recent newspaper report that the phosphate deposits at Clarendon were to be again used to augment, the supply from overseas, and it was considered evident that the representations made bv the league to the Department of Agriculture some lime ago had assisted in the decision being reached.