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Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1931, Page 4

The much vexed question of the route for Petersen road in the Harihari uibtrict appears to be in train for final adjustment. The County 'Council at Tuesday’s meeting favoured the back route, and proposals are to be prepared for that line of road for the expenditure of the Government grant of £'s6o, £2 for £l. As soon as the proposals are approved it will be possible to proceed with the work, for which it is proposed to call for tenders in sections to suit the employment offering. If the approval comes promptly to hand, it should be possible to have the road ready for traffic by Easter. By adopting the back route, Councillors appeared io have in mind the saving of goed paddock land on the line of the dedicated route, and also avoiding the cutting up of a valuable pastoral area. The matter has taken a considerable time for settlement, and it- is satisfactory a way out has been found which should meet the traffic requirements of the

locality. 'lt is to be hoped the Coveniinent will now insist the local body to push the. work through as far as possible, and avoid any further unnecessary delay. At the Council meeting' road access for the Mananui residents again mopped up, and now that unemployed labour is available, it is proposed to carry out- the road on the line previously agreed to when the work was held i up- for want of funds. This line has been and will be probably a source of some friction also, as the' building of the road will expose the Golf L-ink.s to public traffic, aiid at the same time spoil one of the greens. The latter matter can be overcome by forming a /licw green in a suitable location, but the exposing of tlie links wiil necessitate considerable cost for fencing. The obliga-

tion for fencing, however, will be on the Club, hut the. settlers concerned might give some help in the matter, while the local body for the protec-

tion of the proposed road from wandering stock, might help also, and in that way lead up to an amicable settlement. ’The isolated settlers and residents at Mananui certainly stand in need of permanent access, and to accord that necessity some degree of sacrifice all round would be tlie best way leading pup to an amicable settlement of tbe vexed question.