SUITABLE MEMORIAL TO RETURNED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 116, 10 February 1919, Page 6

SUITABLE MEMORIAL TO RETURNED SOLDIERS

Sir,—Although writers urge a highway road from Auckland to the Bluff—which most right-thinking people' agree is one of the most urgent anil necessary items for the governing bodies and also the Government to undertake, and would be of inestimable- value , towards the development of New Zealand-yet there are two other big projects to be considered. First, good roads to open up tlio back country, which would be 01 a greater asset to the State than one through road. It is the country districts that are starving for the want of _ » good main road, and not an arterial road running alongside the railway lines. The revenue from railways should not be diverted to motor-cars and lorries— this would tako place to a large degree if good arterial roads are made. The most fitting memorial to returned soldiers, and one that most would appreciate, would be n Stubs-owned ferry service between Wellington and Picton, and the ■ linking up of the gap in the South, Island Main Trunk at the same speed as the Hon. Hall-Jones linked up the North Island Main Trunk by employing a few thou : sand men. The present condition is that you leave Wellington (if the boats will go) for Lyttelton, and have 171 miles by water to the port of Lyttelton, mails being paid for by the Stato at no-doubt a good round sum annually. With passengers fares, these, two items added together would n odoubt pay the interest on the cost of a few steamers and cost of finishing the South Island line. This connecting link of tho two islands is n national work and well suited, as n memorial to returned soldiers. Taking the distances from time-tables—Christchurch lo Picton is something like 201 miles, Picton to Wellington 52 miles by water; half or more of tho sea .trip would be smooth, as against 171 miles usually" rough, as at present. Tho total distance, therefore, fronv Wellington to Christchurch, via Picton, is 253 miles, and present route 174 miles, thus showing 79 miles farther by overland. If tin; train can travel 20 miles an hour you thus land in Picton • from Christchurch in ben hours, and the water journey from Picton to Wellington can be done in three

hours, making a 13 hours' run. ■ It is seldom the journey from Lyttelton to Wellington is done, in lees than 12 or 13 hours, so the overland tri;i would certainly be more agreeable, and no chance of ever being'blocked in travelling r I>y a State-owned service a.s_siira e sted. The South Island ■is justly' entitled to the completion of their main line, and it would be a great asset for the State, and open up the countrj.—l am,, etc., TRAVELLER.