CARRIAGE OF MAILS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 10

CARRIAGE OF MAILS.

PROGRESS LEAGUE CONFERENCE. A further conference, called at tlie 1 instance of the Canterbury Progress ( League to discuss the question of trans- | porting mails and newspapers to those ! places which have been cut off from j railway communication with Christ j church, was held yesterday afternoon. ' There were present:—Messrs p. R Climie (organiser of the league), AV * O. Eunis (railway department), Chap j man (postal department), S. J. .Collett (tourist department) and newspaper rej present-atires. It was stated that the ' most difficult route to deal with was | thal. to Kai koura, whirh. at present. was only accessible bv steamer, j Mv C'iimie said that ho- had not much ; to report since the conference of the j previous day. A mail had been de--1 spate-bed that day to Cheviot and from j the latest information lie had received j the car had got as far ns Tipapa. ! Therefore it looked as if their programme to get mails to Cheviot would succeed. If the car got through to Cheviot it could bring the Cheviot mail to Christchurch. With regard to Ivaikoura the position was very difficult. The only means of communication with Kaikoura at present was by steamer. The AVakatu was leaving Lyttelton for Kaikoura the following day (Friday). - A “ far as he could see at present the

■teamer servjce between Lyttelton and Kaikoura would he weekly. The Cygnet was held tip at Nelson, though there was a chance of her getting away in a day or two. After calling at Kaikoura the AVakatu would go on to Wellington and coll again at Kaikoura on her way back. Therefore, by using the ferry steamer, it should , be possible to get two mails into Kaikoura per week. No information was available with regard to the state of the- road between AVamu and Kaikoura At present- it was possible to travel as fai as Rotherham by road. Mr Chapman said, that the Postal Department would use any steamer available to get mails to Kaikoura. AVith regard to Han mer Springs Mr Chapman said it was hoped that a car would get through late that afternoon. Air Collett said that the approach to tno upper AVaiau bridge had been washed away. This was the chief obstacle on the road to Hanmer Springs. AVith regard to communication with the West Coast. Mr Climie said that thr- only obstacle on the road was the snow on the top of Porter’s Pass. However, he had been informed that it was warm at Springfield that day and it was thought that the snow would rnelt. He was hopeful that the road would be restored for motor traffic by Saturday or Sunday. Air Ennis said that on Saturday the Railway Department would be prepared to take parcels of foodstuff, not exceeding 141 b in weight, and first-crp.st trail matter (letters) by trolley from Otarama to Avoca. Arrangements were bring made to get a. railway engine .through from Grevmonth to Arthur’s l ass and if it was through by Saturday the mails and parcels could be taken on from Avoca to Arthur’s Pass. The department were prepared to take passengers a® far as Otarama but not truck loads of stuff. Air Climie said that it seemed possible that the railway department would be prepared ty> 1/a he mails through to Arthur’s Pass as soon as or before tlie road over Porter’s Pass was fit for motor traffic. Air Climie thanked tnose present for having attended the conference. If it was thought necessary lie would call them together again.