LONG DELAYED CONSTRUCTION

Lake County Mail, Issue 23, 29 October 1947, Page 1

LONG DELAYED CONSTRUCTION

Tho agitation in Parliament by Mr Macdonald for some emergency method of communication for the people of Glenorchy during the winter months again gives emphasis to the imperative necessity of having the Glenorchy road commenced without further delay. Residents of the district, the Lake County Council, and various other bodies have raised this issue with tho authorities on numerous occasions, but so far without any evidence of success. Loth the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works agree that the need is dire, but the excuse has been made that shortage of labour and materials are the greatest factors in not having this road work commenced. At the present time thousands of pounds and thousands of hours of labour are being expended on improvement works on the main highway from Manuka Creek to Alexandra. While work of this nature is no doubt essential, it would appear to this newspaper that it is'far more essential to giro the isolated residents of Glenorchy road access before money is spent on improving what is an already well-formed road. Tho natural obstacles which the contractors would have to contend with are few and with tho application of modern machinery they would present no difficmlty whatever. With the present state of .isolation existing it is not unreasonable /to state that a tragedy occurring at Glenorchy could very easily develop into a major tragedy through medical assistance and supplies being unable to reach there in Si me. Should Jdiis have to occur before the authorities will take action on tho matter, it will remain as an everlasting blot on their administration. Residents can assume, in view of other

Completion of Road Would End Isolation

major works now in process, that the time-worn excuse of labour and material shortages must by now have eased or disappeared entirely. If they have not it is criminal to allow money, time and materials to be used on what already are good roads and permit the matter of the Glenorchy road to be shelved as “ something to be done, only if we _ have to do it,” attitude. If there are other substantial reasons why this work cannot bo proceeded with tlu- people of this districtSvaut to know them and this newspaper invites tho Minister of Public Works to use these columns to tell the people why!