Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1922, Page 2

There was the usual growl this week at the Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding the Ross railway “cut.” The public has submitted very tamely to the great inconvenience experienced over the present time-table, which is about as unsatisfactory as it well could he. The Ross Borough Council, now that Parliament is to meet, should concentrate on the need for some tangible relief. There will be ready support from the other local bodies in the matter, nil,) if united representations were made at this juncture a change for the hotter might he affected. A parliament fury deputation could he arranged also, ns no doubt if requested to take the matter up. the Member for Westland and his two colleagues itr the Upper 'House would co-operate to the end desired. While trains have been cut out, specials have been run to cope with tffio freightage offering. The timber trade which ha s been available of late would have been more than sufficient to occupy tlie ordinary train service, i! it had been operating similarly to the pro “cut” time-table. Two or three , u v long trains of timber have been run in addition to the ordinary weekly trains, but the specials are not available for passenger traffic. The same applies, also, to the extra trains running north, in place of trains “cut” out for economy purposes. The mileage of the section must he well up to normal times, and the goods traffic fully as great, hut there is not any convenience for the travelling public. The position is one of particular interest to the district, which has been stinted In tlie matter of railway extension south, aiul as a quid pro quo there should be a more convenient service over tlie lines available than there is.

The complaints which are being made about the cutting up of the main south road arc no doubt fully justified. The growing trade there is evidence of the increasing volume of traffic. The first impression is that that traffic sho.uld not he curtailed, hut should be encouraged iby improving the roads to carry the motors. At the same time it is said that the damage being done is not so much the cause of the heavy binding as the excessive speed. If this is the ease, it is reasonable to expect the authorities to step in, and in the public interests regulate tile traffic in such a way that tho recurring damage through over driving will not rpgpflt, Thp volume of traffic south is going ?9 |nprw,t> nP'T will Tneregpp rnpiffl;?, Two

large bridges will soon bo available and the bugbears of rough and dangerous fords being removed, will entice more traffic south. The growth of settlement, and the diverting of transport from the sea to the roads will increase traffic. Finally there will be the early completion of the through railway, and that event will create a marked accession of traffic south. The road needs improving very radically for the fresh trade which will come. This is apart altogether from general upkeep such as is required now. It is imperative to widen parts of the road, improve grades and strengthen many of tile small bridges which were constructed long before motor trrffic was contemplated. Tt is an urgent need to attend to the improvement of the main south road which will so soon become part and parcel of the main highway of the Do* minion, for people from all parts of Xow /calami will he using the road i n business or ] lensure bent. Tt is most reasonable therefore to ask the public departments concerned to turn attention to the nee 1 of maintaining the road equal to the traffic requirements,