MOTORISTS SEEK ACTION

Southland Times, Issue 23612, 13 September 1938, Page 6

MOTORISTS SEEK ACTION

Sealing Of Stead

Street

MR SEMPLE TO BE APPROACHED

DELAY IN SETTING UP COMMISSION

That an urgent telegram be sent to the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) asking that the work of sealing Stead street be put through as soon as possible, was the decision made by members at the annual meeting of the Automobile Association (Southland) last evening. Dissatisfaction was expressed at the delay in the setting up of the commission, which is to decide points in dispute between the Invercargill City Council and the Southland County Council, and fnembers deplored the. fact that the road would probably not be sealed in time to carry the summer traffic to Oreti Beach. The suggestion was also made that the City Council was “lukewarm in the matter.” The position was discussed by the president (Mr D. J. Wesney) when moving the adoption of the annual report, and was later mentioned by Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford. It was then that the decision to approach the Minister on the question immediately was reached.

“As you will all be aware,” said Mr Wesney, “that strip of road known as Stead street has greatly concerned the committee. You probably know that, after many months—in fact we can safely say years—of negotiating by the local authorities, a commission was applied for to adjudicate on matters in conflict. “So far as I am aware,” Mr Wesney continued, “and so far as is publicly known, the matter still rests at that. And now we have the spring with us and the summer rapidly approaching. People are already visiting Oreti beach in hundreds. To the Automobile Association (Southland), which, as you know, is an ardent advocate of this and all other works of improvement and progress for Invercargill and. Southland generally, it seems a pity that the local authority most concerned in this matter has not taken strong steps long before this to overcome the difficulties in the way. For all the progress being made one would not be behaving entirely illogically in assuming that there was some determined faction persistently opposing this important work.” EXPLANATION ASKED Later, when other business was being discussed, Dr Crawford said that as Mr A. Dix, a city councillor, was present, he could perhaps explain the council’s attitude on the question. Mr Dix: I am going to another meeting now, but Councillor Pickard is here. He will explain the matter to you. Mr J. Pickard said the question was in the hands ,of the Minister of Public Works. The council had tried to press the Minister to expedite the appointment of a commission and he had promised to do so. That was as far as the matt’er had gone. Dr Crawford: Is the council really trying hard? , , 1 Mr Pickard: Of course it is. Dr Crawford: Another councillor —I am not going to say who it was—told me that the council was very lukewarm in the matter. Mr Dix, who had remained at the request of Mr Pickard, said that’ the City Council was doing the best it possibly could to expedite matters. “We have to look after the interests of the ratepayers as well as those of the Automobile Association,” he said. “If we put the rates up, you would be the first to squeal.” Mr Wesney said there was no need to raise the rates. Any necessary money could be secured from the petrol taxation fund. Mr Ivon Wilson then moved that an urgent telegram be sent by the association to the Minister asking him to have the work put through as soon as possible. *

The motion was seconded by Mr S. C. K.. Smith. Mr D. J. Campbell said the move was a good one. The association would be lending support to the representations made by the City Council. Dr Stanley Brown suggested that the Southland members of Parliament should also be advised.

Mr H. McDougall said the matter should be held up for at least two months.

Voices: Why not six months? The time, said Mr McDougall, was not opportune for the Minister. He happened to know that. They should wait till after the General Election.

Dr Crawford: There might be a different Minister of Public Works after the election.

Mr McDougall: Oh, but,there won’t be. ' Mr McDougall then moved as an amendment that the matter be held over for two months.

The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder.

The motion was then put to the meeting and carried, 'Mr McDougall being the only dissentient. Dr Brown’s suggestion was also adopted it being decided to send telegrams to the Southland members of Parliament.