MANY QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

Southland Times, Issue 23544, 25 June 1938, Page 12

MANY QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

Bodies And Members Of Parliament

FORMIDABLE LIST OF REMITS

DISCUSSIONS AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Many questions affecting the development of the province of Southland came before the annual conference of local body representatives and members of Parliament convened by the Southland Progress League yesterday. There was a good attendance of local body representatives and a formidable list of remits was discussed.

The conference was attended by Mr John Miller (president of the league), the Leader of the Opposition (the Hon. Adam Hamilton), the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P., Messrs W. A. Ott, C. S. Longuet and C. B. Tapley (Bluff Harbour Board), J. Pickard (Invercargill City Council), E. K. Sim (Wallace County Council), G. W. Whittingham and J. McNeill (Southland County Council), W Gordon (Lake County Council), W. H. Overton (Queenstown Borough Council), J. A. B. Walker (Riverton Borough Council), J. Cameron and H. A. Ferguson (Bluff Borough Council), F. Boyle (Nightcaps Town Board), L. Harper (Wyndham Town Board), C. Moloney (Lumsden Town Board), J. D. Ballantyne and J. H. Doyle (Bluff Progressive League), J. Carnegy Gardner (Waiau Progressive League) and D. J. Wesney, D. Mcßae, A. S. Russell, J. A. Fraser and H. F. Drewe. ROAD ROUND BLUFF HILL The following remit was received from the Bluff Progressive League:— “That the Government be asked to survey and prepare an estimated - cost for a road from the Stirling Point pilot station round the Bluff Hill to Ocean Beach.” • ' : . < Mr J. D. Ballantyne said, that at any. time when there was relief .work to be done at Bluff this road could be pro-' ce'eded with. The difficulty was that no survey of the route had been made’ and he asked the league to use its influence to have this done. Mr J. H. Doyle said that a start had been made with the road some years ago, but the work had stopped because no survey had been made. The road would be a great scenic attraction. Mr Hamilton said that he would be glad to support the proposal. He had frequently driven along the road as far as it went and had been disappointed that it had not been completed. The Hon. T. F. Doyle said he supported Hie proposal. He was in favour of a survey being made and an estimate made of the cost.

On behalf of the Wyndham Town Board Mr Harper raised the question of the Wyndham-Mokoreta-Waikawa Valley road. He said it was highly desirable that the road should be constructed. The people of Wyndham did not think sufficient consideration had been given to the proposal. About 10 miles of construction would be required to link up the road from Mokoreta and the Waikawa Valley. It would link two fertile valleys and would provide a fine scenic route. A proposal had been made from Tahakopa that another road should be put through to join the proposed route, but it could only be done at tremendous cost. So far as he knew there was no opposition to the road. It would bring the Wyndham stock sales within easy reach of a yery big district. The secretary (Mr J.. S. Dick) said that previous Government replies had been that other more urgent roads had to be given preference. Mr Hamilton said that members of Parliament felt bound to support a proposal from a responsible local body supported by the league. QUEENSTOWN SERVICE The Lake County Council submitted the following remit: “That the Minister of Railways be urged to place the Kingston rail-car service as first,on the list of services to be instituted. Mr Gordon said that there was at present quite a good road service on the road, but it was expensive. The lake and road services did not cooperate and better service could be arranged if a rail-car was put on the run. Mr Hamilton said he would bring the request before the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). Mr Overton said that a rail-car was a necessity for an adequate service. A rail-car had been promised and it was hoped that this would be available without too much delay. The Lake County Council also asked: “That further representations be made to the Government asking that the Queenstown-Glenorchy road be begun at an early date.” . Mr Gordon said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) had promised that when other major roads had been finished this road would be started. The council considered, however, that the 300 persons living at Glenorchy deserved more consideration. They were very isolated and suffered serious disabilites in the event of sickness. The Hon. T. F. Doyle said he would interview the Minister about the matMr Hamilton said the road must come. The high cost had been a setback at first, but eventually the road must be put through. Mr Overton said the isolation of the Glenorchy people justified the putting of a road through at an early date. The road should be properly constructed and not a temporary track. From the Riverton Progressive League came the following remit: “That the. Main Highways Board be urged to tar-seal the main highways road, Invercargill to Riverton, to eliminate the dust nuisance during the summer months so dangerous to traffic.” Mr Walker supported the remit, which, he said, was an annual request. SUPPORT FOR TOURIST ROUTE The Bluff Harbour Board proposed: “That a very strong representation be made to the Government to have the Manapouri-Blackmount road pushed forward as it forms such an important gateway to Southland’s tourist attractions.” Mr Ott, who supported the remit, said the road would be easily made and would be essential for Invercargill and Stewart Island to enjoy the benefits of the tourist traffic which would arrive in New Zealand at Milford Sound. Mr Sim urged that the section of 21 miles from Clifden to Blackmount should be declared a main highway and that application be made for the formation of a further seven miles. Mr Tapley said the Harbour Board supported the completion of the section

from Manapouri to Blackmount. This could be created a main highway and then pressure could be brought for the completion of the balance of the road. Mr Wesney said he understood a survey of the route had been made. The formation of the road would be a simple matter because of the flat nature of the route. Mr Sim said that if the road was constructed and not- declared a main highway it would fall into disrepair because the Wallace County Council received no rates from the locality to maintain the road. Mr Denham said he would support the construction of the road. Mr Hamilton said he did not know of any other road in Southland that was more justified than this was. Only 20 miles of the road required making. Once it was through there would be nearly as much traffic on it as on the Lumsden-Te Anau road.

The Invercargill City Council submitted the following request:—“That consideration be given to the fines imposed by the Court on motorists found guilty of driving a motor-car while in a state of intoxication, so provision may be made for the City Council to receive fines in all cases when the motorist concerned is arrested by the city traffic inspector, this being an offset towards the expenses incurred by the council in such matters.” The Mayor said the position was that the city traffic inspector in a fast car provided by the council for the purpose, doubtless at some personal risk to himself and the vehicle, had to overtake intoxicated motorists and make the arrest, which arrest sometimes was not effected without some risk of personal violence. The offender was taken to the police station by the inspector where he was taken in charge by the police, who had their own organization for the medical test on the state of drunkenness. The prosecution was taken by the police and the inspector was the chief witness, and fines of very substantial amounts went to the Consolidated Fund. The council’s revenues received nothing. It was considered that the council should get the whole of the fine or at least half.