CHRISTCHURCH-HOKITIKA ROAD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1923, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH-HOKITIKA ROAD.

(j OiSTH)X 0 P A! AINTENA XC K. CHRISTCfIUIiCi 1, Alay 22. The Hokitika branch of the Canterbury Automobile Association recently had under discussion the question of the future maintenance of (lie main road between Hokitika and Christchurch. Dr E. Trieficliiiann, the secretary of the brunch, in n letter to the secretary of the Association (Air J. S. Hawke-), states that- it was decided to (licit from the Public "Works Department its intentions regarding this road after tho opening of the Arthur's .Pass tunnel, and the one establishment of through train communication between tile two coasts. Dr Teichehnami added :—“During the- discussion the following facts were made known: [luring the first three months, of this year 640 cars passed trie Boa ley Hotel on tho Canterbury side of tiie Wuimnkariri on their way lo ami fro, and since then the traffic continues to be busy. Further, it might he pointed out that owing to the breakdown of tiie railway, as a consequence of the recent floods in Canterbury, cars have been carrying mails and passengers daily with no more than two days’ interruption on account oi Ike heavy slow near Lake Linden. Me feel that if this main road is allowed to deteriorate in consequence of the opening of tlie tunnel for train services, the cost of putting it in order in future will be very great. There is no doubt that ultimate!'.' the whole road (till he required for public purposes, and it would be folly to allow it to deteriorate. It is more than likely that when tlie tunnel traffic comes into operation the Public Works Department will hand over to the County Councils the sections situated in their counties, and ex- i pent the local bodies to keep them in j order.” j The letter will be considered by the Rond Committee of the Association, which will report to the next meeting j of the Council of the Association to bo j held next month.