TOURIST ROADS

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 5

TOURIST ROADS

MANAPOURI TO TE ANAU. The opening up of Monowai by the Power Board has completely altered the complexion of that district,” said Mr J. J. Fisher at the quarterly meeting of the Southland League which was held at Otautau yesterday. He went on to say that up to 5 years agot hem ail service to the lake had been from Otautau, and with the splendid road now available a tally of the motor cars that pass over the road would astonish many. During a holiday w'eek between 50 and 70 cars, all bound for Monowai from Invercargill, passed through Otautau. They’ should approach the Minister for a grant to make a road from Monowai to Manapouri on the west side of the Waiau. At present the traffic was confined to the east bank, but engineering difficulties would be met with higher up which might make it advisable for them to make such a road on the west bank. The road would considerably shorten the distance to Manapouri, while it would link up Te Anau so that tourists could make a round trip. If the old weekly inter-colonial time table were obtained again tourists could land at Bluff travel to Te Anau via Monowai and Manapouri, going north through Lumsden. With such a route Southland would get its share of the tourist traffic and tourists would not require to travel the same route twice. Mr F. J. Linscott said that the Wallace County Council had instructed its engineer to report upon the formation of such a road together with an estimate of the cost. The chairman (Mr Brodrick) said they would be better to wait until they had the engineer’s report before they decided to act.