ROAD DISPUTE AT DRURY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 588, 14 February 1929, Page 6

ROAD DISPUTE AT DRURY

PRESENT ROUTE WILL MISS NEW HOTEL APPEAL MADE TO A.A.A. Two rival factions in the Drury area are at daggers drawn over the route of the Great South Road. On Tuesday the parties met the Highways Board at Drury to argue the respective suggestions. The argument waxed so furious that it almost resulted in an exchange of blows. Last evening a deputation from Drury residents waited on the Automobile Association asking for support in endeavouring to have the proposed road altered. In Drury one faction advocates that the road should pass through the main street, and continue on to the east of the railway station to junction with the present road. The opposition points out that a better road, which would cost about £4,000 worth of construction less, could be gained by leaving the present road at the bridge north of Drury and proceeding in a straight line to join the present road near the overhead bridge. This would mean that traffic would not pass through the town or past the new hotel, and would pass to the west of the railway station as at present. The deputation last evening advocated the western route, one of the speakers remarking that it would avoid passing the school, as it would also miss the hotel. Several members of the council were outright in their opinion that the road supported by the deputation, being straight, was the one for the A.A.A. to support. The chairman, Mr. A. Grayson, warned the council that there was a danger in taking sides in this particular dispute. He thought either road would do. The Roads Committee was asked to report on the question.