ROAD TRANSPORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22985, 14 September 1936, Page 11

ROAD TRANSPORT

CANTERBURY AND WEST ■ COAST * MEW CHAPTER OPENED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 13. When the Minister of Transport (Mr R. Semple), using a pair of gold scissors, cut the ribbon placed across the entrance to the new traffic bridge over the Waimakariri River at Bealey yesterday and a procession of 15 motor cars passed over the bridge from east to west, a new chapter was opened in the history of transport between Canterbury and the West Coast. In the leading motor car were Mr G. W. Forbes, the member for the district, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr J. W. Beanland) and the town clerk of Christchurch (Mr J. S. Neville). The ceremony was carried out in drenching rain, and the proceedings were completely spoiled on that account. Mr Semple and Mr Forbes made short speeches, congratulating the district on the fact that the Waimakariri River, which had for so long offered a serious obstacle to traffic, had now been bridged. Mr Semple said that after his experience on the trip from Christchurch he was satisfied that things could not be allowed to remain as they were. His car had become very nearly bogged in the Bruce River, and with that memory stamped on his mind he would not rest until that river had been bridged also. There were other streams and creeks, as well as rough portions of the roadway, that required attention to bring road transport between Canterbury and the West Coast up to date. These matters would be carried out without delay.