CASHMERE HILLS ROADS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 5

CASHMERE HILLS ROADS

GOVERNMENT ASKED FOR GRANTS.

DEPUTATION TO HON R. H. RHODES.

When the Hon R, H. Rhodes, Post-master-General, was in Christchurch yesterday Mr J. M'Combs, M.P., introduced a deputation from the Heathcote County Council, which asked for a grant of £250 for the construction of White's Road, and the same sum for the Dyer's Pass Road, on the Port Hills. Mr M'Combs said that the deputatation approached the Minister as the head of the Tourist Department and Health Department. White's Road was the old •Maori track connecting with Rapaki at the Lyttelton side of the hills. Large numbers of people availed themselves of those two roads to reach the top of tjie hills. Mr G. Scott, chairman of the County Council, said that the roads really gavo access to the city's health resorts, and one, the Dyer's Pass Road, was largely used by cyclists. It was in such a had state that it was absolutely dangerous. The Council had lately taken over tho roads. It had to face tho responsibility in regard to both of them. The Council wished to continue the Dyer's Pass Road from its junction with Hackthome Road to Victoria Park. The City Council wished to make that park attractive to city people and visitors. The County Council would like to improve the road to,the park, but it had not sufficient funds.- The'-inhabitants of tho Cashmere settlement had had to meet heavy expenses lately, and it was hardly fair to ask them to boar the whole expense of improving the Dyer's Pass Road for the benefit of the whoie of Christchurch. As to White's Road,' it was impossible for the County Oouncil to carry out any further, improvements, as it had no money for the purpose. There was a track all the way to the top of. the hill, and if improvements were made it would give another access to the Summit Road, which was a valuable asset to Christchurch.

Mr J. Mulcock, a member of the County Council, said that it was very necessary to improve the road to Victoria Park from Hackthprne Road. The Minister said that the Government had helped County Councils in that direction, although they were responsible for roads. There was no reason why it should not help in she present case. He recognised that Dver's Pass Road should be improved and he certainly would support the request in that direction. He did not xlx'uxs, hewever, that the urgent work was between Hackthorne Road and Victoria Perk. The stretch from the yark to the summit of the hill was more urgent. If the Council made up its mind to improve that part of the road ho would be glad to support it. Tho upper.track, leading directly out of the park, had a splendid grade, and that was where the improvement should take place. The track should be widened in order that vehicles could use it. 'I he stretch from Hackthorne Road to the tram terminus was quite • good, and there was not a long stretch from the terminus to tho park. He did rot think that the Government should help in channelling, but only in .'oad formation. ' .. .

Mr Scott said that if it Tas the Minister's wish to have the road improved from the park to the summit the Council would probably fall in with his view. He felt that the monoy should be spent in accordance with the report of the Council's engineer. The Minister said that it was an improvement of the stretch from the ptijk to the summit that would help the people of Christchurch.