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Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1920, Page 2

In all countries it is becoming to I e recognised tiiat broad iiign-ways are tne essentials .factor in development and expanison. In no country ha s this been more evidenced than in America. Turning to our own Dominion, and considering our own district in particular, we have to recognise that though ner-3 we have first class material for roadmaking, and the roads radiate in various directions, they are intersected at , iiequent intervals by streams and -ivers which are prone to interrupt traffic on all too frequent occasions. These arc the times when mechanical power is growing in use for transport purposes. For economic reasons both in regard ; to time and service, the motor, whether fuel driven or by electricity, is coming into its own. For this class of traffic ' improved roads are necessary, and above all it is necessary where machinery has to be used to have bridges to i avoid ford crossings. However fortu- .: nate motorists may be in getting through streams either on their own power or with the aid of horse power, the immersion in the water is not for 1 the betterment of the machinery. Tlie intersecting streams also delay transport, frequently holding it up, and ‘ losing time which is money. The cor--1 ditions for road traffic in this district call for Eome means to secure a better passage over the streams which are. * J ■ I he met with every few miles of road, i It is a problem of considerable ;inportance and the question should he c taken up actively in the public inter- , ests.

AVith regard to the main south road, the crying need of that route is bridges and more bridges. The need for them has been recognised by the Government, but there is no apparent effort made to erect the bridges. Parliament in its good nature lias honored tlie demands of the Minister of Public AYorks bnd .rioted (the money—but still no bridges. AVhy this “go-slow” policy m this highly important matter? The Government require to take the mote out of tliejr own eye before noticing the beam in the other fellows. The Public Works Department requires gni, vanisiltg into action or this drift of months will go on into years, and like the Otira tunnel, the consummation of our wishes will be receding from us all the time instead of drawing nearer. It will take some months, if not years, to see the principal bridges erected on the main south road, and meantime could not some kind of ferry ford be provided at the roughest and deepest crossings to take machines across with the customary immersion. Some device coujd Ido determined upon, and it should be provided. Facilities for transport by this means would mid greatly to the volume of traffic to and from South Westland. Tlie settlers themselves would adopt motor prapspprt for their own means of trav, ri, and the mu’ order would mean mudh greater activity m the southern district, which can bp relied upon to show marked development as its resources are realised and. utilised ai they should be.