STOCK OUTLET TO NORTH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18756, 12 July 1935, Page 6

STOCK OUTLET TO NORTH

THE PROPOSED NEW ROUTE BAY OP PLENTY APPROVAL ADVANTAGE TO MOTORISTS The proposal to form a new stork route between Poverty Bay and the Bay of Plenty is receiving the approval of farmers and motorists alike ’in the Gis borne and Bay of Plenty districts. Motorists see file advantage the pro posed diversion of stock traffic to the fringe of the.Urewera would be, because they would know that the Waioeka road would be reasonably free from stock. The, Waioeka Valley is not a legal stock route, but mobs have been taken through it. Also, motorists would find the Motu route free from stock during periods when the Waioeka is blocked l-y slips. - The advantage to stock owners and drovers would ■ be the shorter distance, by 30 miles, freedom from molestation from motor traffic over the greater portion, and the possibility of more feed and water than by the Motu road. The Bay of Plenty Press, commenting on the proposal, states:— “The decision of the Poverty Bay and East Coast graziers to agitate for a new stock route through the Bay of Plenty will be welcomed not only by farmers, but also by the general travelling public. The nature of the roads through the Waiopka Gorge and over the Motu Hills is 1 such that the meeting of stock by fast traffic is a positive danger and it would be better for all parties interested if the diversion suggested could be provided. “There would not only be the advantage of separation of the traffic, but the route proposed would bring Gisborne four days’ drive nearer to the railhead at Taneatua. It would also appear that there are no great difficulties in the way of completing such a stock road. “The suggestion that the Public Works Department should undertake a survey of the country outlined in the proposal is quite reasonable in view of the undoubted benefit which would result from the change. The provision of a shorter and safer route for travelling stock also would help to’ serve the railway and thus give some return on the outlay. It is to be iioped the project will not be allowed to drop.”