LOADING BANK FOR CARS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1929, Page 8

LOADING BANK FOR CARS

A REQUEST REFUSED. GI-niJS'ICIHUKCiJ, Febraury 12, Criticism of the attitude taken lip by the Railway Department, ni refusing to cun,struct an end-011 loading bank for motor-cars at Arthur’s lass, and of the Alain Highways Board 10. nat making an effort to assist towards the cost, was expressed at last night’s meeting ol the council ol the Canidbury Automobile Association. The Roads Committee reported that a, letter had been received from the chairman of the No. 11 District Highway Council stilting that the lfa-ilway i,apartment could not see its \\a,t to instal an end-011 loading bank at Arthur’s Bass. The letter added that the Railway Department was of the opinion that the prospective traffic was light. On account of the frequent blockage ol the road by snow at Bolter’s Pass, the condition of the roadway, front the Ben lev Hotel eastwards, and the necessity of crossing the Waimakariri River witn the aid of horses, most of the cars were being trucked 110111 Spiingjleld to Otira, and there were suitunic loading banks at both these places, ihe Alain Highways Board had also considered the question of authorising funds but regretted to say that it would not he legal for it to expend money on constructing railway loading banks on railway property. The committee reported that a reply had been sent to the chairman of No. 14 District Highway Council explaining tlie reason for the association s request for the construction ol a loading hank at Arthur's Bass. The letter stated:

The very fact of the road being impassible at times to motor traffic is just why we are asking for an end-on load, ing bank at Arthur s Bass. Surely it is reasonable to expect our Government 10 do something for the South Js.nud in the way of making its beauty spots more accessible to motorists desirous of seeing them. As tar as tne scenery at Arthur’s Bass and Otira i concerned, it is unique as a motoring trip, undoubtedly one ol the finest in the world, and lor the sake 1 of a small sum to ho spent upon the construction ot an end-oil Hading hank, why should motorists be denied this privilege? We are constantly asked by touring motor, ists wliy an eud-011 loading bank cairnol be provided at Arthur’s Bass.

“With regard to the latter part ol the Railway Department’s statement, u took a mighty ioug time to convince the Department that end-011 loading banks were required at Springfield and Otira. Surely the imroveinent has been amply justified bv the number of cars trucked, to say nothing ot the simplicity of loading and unloading, also the great saving of time. End-ou loading banks have been a boon trmotorists travelling to and from the nest Coast, and they have been much appreciated. Possibly we could be justified in going further by asking the bridging of the rivers and thus have a proper main highway between Canto rI'urv and Westland, open to motor traffic at all times and under all conditions.

“With regard to it being illegal foi the Main Highways Board to contribute money towards the construction of an end-011 loading bank for the use of motorists. that may of may not be, but under the circumstances, seeing that ii is for the purpose of overcoming an obstacle on the highway, we are sure that the motorists of the South Island would not object to their money being spent in this direction. “We would respectfully ask that thi matter be reconsidered by the Highways Board, and if the board cannot see its way to give assistance, they can at least lend their moral support in helping to bring about this muchneeded improvement.” Mr J. L. Banks, chairman of the Roads Committee, said that it a loading hank wore provided at Arthur’s Bass, motorists would be a bio to take off their ears at that station and go over the pass. The road was a good one and was used by service cars neaih every day of the week. Tlie chairman (Mr F. W. Freeman) : If we bad a South Island Highways Board there' would be no need to refer the matter to Wellington. Mr F. W. Johnston said that the letter drew attention to a fact that ought to have been apparent to the .Ra i 1 way Hop a rtment. The chairman said that the reply sent by the association set out the motorists case very clc<ul,\. I lien was no doubt that if a railway loading bank was not provided the motorist 1 - would be entitled to ask that the whole road be put in order. The report was adopted.