LEFT BANK RIVER ROAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19058, 10 July 1924, Page 7

LEFT BANK RIVER ROAD

DEPUTATION FROM SETTLERS CONCERNED

WAIT ON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A deputation from up-river settlers met the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce yesterday to urge the completion of the left bank Wanganui River Road, which would serve the settlers on the left bank between Upokongaro and Pipiriki. The president of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, Mr. W. Brown, presided. The president welcomed the deputation, and said that it showed they were taking an interest in their own affairs. The aim of the Chamber was to see good roads to Wanganui. It was a case of mutual help and the advantage of each. They realised that the Left Bank Road was of great importance to Wanganui. COUNTY CHAIRMAN’S VIEWS. Mr. A. D. Mackintosh, chairman of the Wanganui County Council, said they wanted the help of the Chamber to assist the settlers. The Minister of Public Works traversed the road two years ago, and it was suggested money should be raised for a £ for £ subsidy. It was estimated it would cost £50,000 to put the road through and a penny rate would only realise £16,000. They considered the work could only be done by grants from the Government. The grants for the County this year had been cut down, as the balance would go towards the main highway. One difficulty on the road beyond Gentle Annie was a bridge at Pitangi, which would cost £2OOO. He considered a deputation should go to Wellington and interview the Ministr of Public Works. A TOURIST ROUTE. Mr. G. McGregor, on behalf of the settlers, said that the road when completed would be of great value to the city. At present the tourist trade ended at Aramoho, whereas with a road tourists could travel from Pipiriki to Wanganui and save considerable time. In 1914 an estimate for the road was £40,000, but it might cost 50 per cent, more now. The settlers themselves could not bear the burden of constructing the road, and he did not think they could even metal it. There was both Crown and native land along the route. A road would increase the tourist traffic immensely, and a trip by car to Wanganui from Pipiriki would be a pleasant break in the journey. The deputation asked the Chamber to assist them in trying to get from the Government a sufficient sum of money to do a considerable portion of the road this year. WANGANUI’S BACK DOOR. Mr. A. E. Davy said the road was a back door to Wanganui, and if it were not opened trade would be diverted via Raetihi to the Main Trunk. He had lived on the river for 12 years, and was very disappointed with the progress made. They were crippled by the river service, which had raised the rates 1 100 per cent. There was nothing to ' stop them bumping the freights up another 100 per cent., as' long as they were without opp l ition. A toll gate on the road would pay more than interest on the capital invested. It was a magnificent tourist route. A sixfoot track was now being- made from

Pipiriki to Jerusalem. It should be the policy of the Government to push the road through, as it. was an urgent need and a matter of national importance. The River Road when finished would justify its completion. He understood that to make the Parapara Road would cost £lOO,OOO, and what could they do with that amount on the River Road. The River Road had a grade of 1 in 22 at the Pipiriki end, running to dead level. There was plenty of good metal along the route.. Mr. McGregor said they acknowledged the work that the Government had done on the route. They were making a good six-foot track from Pipiriki to Jerusalem. Mr. M. Campbell supported the proposal that a deputation should go to Wellington. PIPIRIKI THE OBJECTIVE. In reply to a question Mr. G. McGregor said the present objective of the road at the top end was Pipiriki. The houseboat to Pipiriki was one of the best stretches of water for tourists. The president said that the road could also serve settlers on the Waitotara side, who could punt their stock across. Mr. John Morrison said the urgent necessity for the moment was the Parapara Road and its completion. They could then concentrate on other roads. It was best to make a good job of one first. From Pipiriki they had a good l( roadway” in the river. It was not the same as settlers locked up in a backblocks district. The president had asked the Waimarino people to find £15,000, and the Government would find £40,000, and finish the Parapara Road in three years. They were now waiting for a decision in regard to the recent deputation to the Aotea Land Board. Mr. Mackintosh said the Wanganui County ratepayers had metalled the Parapara Road to the county boundary. Ho considered thnt the Chamber should support the Left Bank settlers. At present the dairy company the speaker was associated with could not accept cream from river settlers owing to the unsatisfactory state of the river service. With a road cream could be collected all the way down.

Mr. A. Harris said that the Chamber was bound to support the river settlers. The Chamber should give every assistance to them. They wanted the Parapara Road, but they also realised the importance of the Left Bank Road.

Mr. J. Coull said concentration was good, but they could concentrate on anything for the good of the district. The best thing to do was to keep pushing until something was accomplished. Roads, and good roads, was the most important thing. The president said that it was possible that the Wellington Chamber of Commerce would assist, as they were very interested in tourist matters.

Mr. McGregor said that the people of Wanganui had dene the right thing in advocating the Parapara Road, but it should not interfere with the Left Bank Road.

It was decided to arrange for a deputation to go to Wellington, to consist >Qf one representative from the Chamber, one from the County, and one from the settlers.