THE OAMARU-NASEBY ROAD PROPOSAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 25 May 1888, Page 9

THE OAMARU-NASEBY ROAD PROPOSAL.

A meeting was held at Oamaru on Friday to discuss the projected formation of a road to Naseby through Dansey's Pass. Mr W. Sutherland, of Livingstone, an old settler, well acquainted with' that part of the district, stated that it was only practicable to form the road by starting from Otekaike station, and following up the river of that name. The first six miles are already formed, and the remaining 12 miles would require cuttings, but no bridges. Once at the top of the pass it would then be for the Naseby people to complete the road on their side of the range, a distance of about five miles. Mr W. T. Scrimgeour said were a bridge placed over the Ohau river a road fit for wheel traffic would be available to Mount Cook. This would mean that a large proportion of the trade with tho Mackenzie Country would be diverted to Oamaru instead of Timaru, and tourists to Mount Cook instead of going by Fairlie oreek route would then go by Oamaru, being much the nearest. The meeting was adjourned till Monday next. The adjourned meeting of persons willing to assist in the formation of a road from Oamaru to Naseby by way of .Dansey's Fass was held at Oamaru on Monday and was largely attended. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee to act iv conjunction with the Naseby people in drawing up a report to be presented to a future meeting :— Messrs Sumpter, Aitken, Holmes, Churcb, Garland, De L^utour, Humphrey, Sutherland, Bee, Sanderson, Christie, Scrimgeour, Perry, Hislop, M.H.R., Steward, M.H.K.. Duncan, M.H.R., Shrimski and Miller, MiL.C.'s, J. Reid (Elderslie)and Menlove (Windsor Park). It was suggested to have a flying survey made of both the Otekaike and Maerewhenua routes Mr T. C. Dennison, engineer, said the cost of a flying survey cf both roads would be about £2 per mile. At a meeting of the committee subsequently held it was resolved to forward a telegram to the Hon. T. W. Hislop, Colonial Secretary, asking if the Government will cause a flying survey to be made with a view of ascertaining the most practicable route for connecting the interior by road with one of the railways from Oamaru. It was also decided to forward a. telegram to the people of Naseby, inviting their co-operation.