TO KAIKOURA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10923, 12 November 1913, Page 5

TO KAIKOURA.

A QUESTION OF ROADS.

A special meeting of the committee of the Canterbury Automobile Association was held this morning to receive a deputation from the Kaikoura Roads and Bridges League and the Marlborough Association. Mr F. W. Johnston presided. Mr H. J. Murray said that some time ago the people of Kaikoura had formed a Roads and Bridges League with the idea of securing better motor communication with Chrisbchurch. The League had proposed the coast route, and the Prime Minister and Minister of Publio Works had both received the proposals favourably. Then the League heard that the Automobile Association was working for the Midland route. The Kaikoura people thought that probably the Association was not aware of the advantages of the coast route, which was shorter than the Midland route and would entail much less expenditure. Mr A. "VV. Rutherford said that the Association woudl find the ooast route much better for motor traffic. The League hoped to have the assistance oL the Association.

Mr H. J. Mitchell, of the Marlborough Association, also urged the claims of the coast route to Kaikoura, which, he said, would give the best means of communication with Marlborough. Mr W. E. Broadway remarked that the Association had been guided largely b> the wishes of the settlers. It was a question as to which road would serve the most people. The coast route would serve people on one side only, but the Midland road would be a benefit to more people. The chairman remarked that the Association had based its attitude on statements of fact placed before it, and if the Kaikoura peonle had thought that the Association s fielp was worth having, it was a pity they did not approach it earlier. At any rate, motorists had no c;uarfintoo that they would be allowed to use the road, since some counties thought it dangerous to have motor traffic on a road so near the sea. It was stated that the distance from Kaikoura to Oulverden was sixty-seven miles, and from Kaikoura to Parnassus was thirtyj-seven miles. The deputation then thanked the committee for having received it and withdrew.