NORTHERN ACCESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27345, 22 March 1950, Page 6

NORTHERN ACCESS

Inspected By Minister HOMER TUNNEL AND HOUSING One of the first tasks to occupy the attention of the Minister of Works, Railways and Civil Aviation, Mr Goosman, on his arrival in Dunedin yesterday afternoon was an inspection of the proposed route of the new northern highway in company with the Commissioner of Works, Mr E. R. McKillop and the district works engineer, Mr A. G. Park. The Minister also inspected the route of the proposed Dunedin-Port Chalmers Highway. The Minister had just completed a visit to fnvercargill, and while in Southland indicated that he favoured the completion of the Milford road. Talking to the Daily Times last- night, Mr Goosman amplified this statement and said, in answer to a question, that he proposed recommending to Cabinet the completion of the Homer -.tunnel as suggested by the Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts.

Asked if there was likely to be any easing up in the building of homes by the Housing Division of his Ministry of Works Department, Mr Goosman stated that such would not be the case. The building of houses -would go ahead as fast as it was possible to build them. Further, the Government, by making sections available, would encourage private home builders to erect their own homes. Mr Goosman had no information available concerning the possibility of railcars for Central Otago or suburban lines; but, in answer to a question concerning electrification, he stated that a full report on this subject was being prepared and would be available within the next few weeks.

The Minister was also asked to comment upon a propoed Central Otago air service, and the application for such a licence by Southern Scenic Airtrips, of Queenstown, but he said that without the relevant papers he was not in a position to do so.