RIVERTON-OREPUKI ROAD.

Western Star, 6 April 1920, Page 2

RIVERTON-OREPUKI ROAD.

The necessity of a road between Riverton and Orepuki has been advocated for a number of years past, and the fact that a road is now opened for .traffic will be hailed with delight both by the settlers and the general public. Thanks to the energy of Messrs John Horrell and Geo. Rodger, members for the Orepuki and Pourakino Ridings, respectively, the -work of forming the road has been vigorously prosecuted, and on, the 4th inst. these two gentlemen, in company with the County Engineer (Mr Baker) motored through the new-road. Mr J. A. McKinnon conveyed Mr Rodger and the Engineer to Te Tua in his HupmoßTle car, where they were' joined by Mr Horrell, and then proceeded to Orepuki, some nine miles, along a good gravelled road. After partaking of lunch the journey was continued. The new road branches off at Pallia, which, although recently formed is in good order, and' a pleasand run brought the party to Round Hill, where the contractors had completed a. portion of the road on the east side of the Ourawera stream the previous day. The road is gravelled from' Round Hill to Colac. In the' vicinity* of Lake George the main road rims in an easterly directin, passing in close proximity to the late D. McKay’s sawmill at Oraki. and thence to' More’s railway, where it joins the road at Hekeia. When the road is gravelled travellers will be able to motor to Orepuki, which is only eighteen miles from Riverton, instead of going; by Otautau, a distance of fifty* miles. It- will readily be seen that this road will be a great boon to the general public. To Messrs Horrell, Rodger and Baker belong the honour of first traversing the road by motor car, which was driven by Mr J. A. McKinnon. Thanks to the representations of Mr J. C. Thomson, the late member for Wallace, the Government made several substantial votes towards this work.