A SOUTHLAND HIGHWAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3774, 13 July 1926, Page 53

A SOUTHLAND HIGHWAY.

route disputed. INVERCARGILL, July 9. A matter of considerable importance t» the ratepayers of the Waihopai and Too Toe 9 ridings of the Southland county in the proposal to make a main highwav from Invercargill to Waikawa, by way or Tisbury and Gorge road, and involving the construction of a traffic bridge across the lower peaches of the Mataura River, was fully discussed at a meetine of the County Council this afternoon when an influential deputation from some of the districts concerned waited upon the council. Messrs James Dunlop and Peter Arnott were the principal speakers on behalf of the deputation, which presented a petition signed by 536 ratepayers, protesting against the proposal which they claimed possessed many disadvantages and would not justify the expenditure involved. They further stated that the present section of the mam highway from Kennington to Seaward Downs, which would be eliminated if the now highway were developed, served a larger number of settlers and passed through more valuable land than existed along the route contemplated. The speakers also maintained that the two county members concerned had not taken the ratepayers affected sufficiently into their confidence, and as a result had lost the confidence which hod been reposed in them at the last election. Councillors L. Neiderer and T. Golden gave a spirited reply to the deputation, and pointed out that, although there were some 1953 ratepayers in the two ridings, the obstructionists had only obtained the signatures of approximately 562 people, some of whom they alleged had been induced to sign the petition through misrepresentation. After a very full discussion the depute* tiosi withdrew, and the council in ita sub* sequent deliberations decided to adhere to ita former deoision to construct a traffic bridge on the site recommended by the Public Works officers, and to take stops to have the new rood declared a main high* way.