A NEW ROAD?

Southland Times, Issue 22040, 13 June 1933, Page 6

A NEW ROAD?

CLINTON TO MATAURA CHANGE FROM MAIN ROAD CUTTING OUT GORE Reference to the old coach road between Mataura and Clinton, which has been out of use for many years, in favour of the main road through Gore was made in a letter from Mr Thomas Herron, of Otaraia which was considered at last evening’s meeting of the general committee of the Southland Motor Association. Mr Herron advocated the adoption of the road as the main highway, suggesting that certain necessary repairs could be carried out. “I think this is an opportune time to draw attention to a road that could be made a main highway between Dunedin and Invercargill at very little expense, and also has the advantage of not being in a flooded area, being so close to the head waters of the creeks and rivers that caused the recent flooded state of the main highway between Gore and Clinton, the road at Waipahi, Pukerau and McNab being impassable,” wrote Mr Herron. “The road I refer to,” he continued, “is the old Dunedin coach road that runs from Clinton to Mataura. There are about nine miles of this road unmetalled, but all culverts and bridges are in and cuttings formed. Metal and gravel are both in the vicinity .... I am sure that if you took this matter up in earnest a splendid main highway couldbe formed at no great cost. During the last floods the Southland Winter Show was on, and I know of six car-loads who were going through to Invercargill but owing to the flooded state of the road the trip had to be abandoned.” Later Mr Herron forwarded a sketch plan of the roads and pointed out that while the present main road was on the flood level and traversed six railway crossings, on the road via Otaraia there was no railway crossing until Mataura was reached, where there was a good crossing with a bell signal.

“What would our Gore members say if we supported this?” asked the president (Mr D. J. Wesney) when the letter had been read. “I think we should support the road if it will eliminate mileage and railway crossings,” said Mr A. E. Wish. Mr Charles Campbell: It would solve the McNab problem. Mr L. B. Hutton said the maintenance of the present roads was the issue, and not the creation of new ones. The president said a good deal of traffic would still travel by the old road. The use of the Mataura-Clmton road would help to relieve any congestion. It was finally decided to write to the Southland County Council asking its views on the proposal. “As you say, what would our Gore members say?” asked Mr S. K. Smith when the decision had been reached. “We’re not advocating it,” replied the president.