The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 1926. ROAD LINKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd, 1926. ROAD LINKS.

Thu Automobile Association is to press the Government in respect to two important toad links. One is tlie short cut. from Kumara Junction to Awntuna by the bench route; and the other is the connection of Ituatapu with bake •'.Muhinapun hy road also a heath route. Both works would be of special value in the matter of readier communication, and would he greatly used. The Kumara Junction to Awatuna road would reduce niater- ■ in Ily the time of the road journey between Hokitika and Greymonth. There would ho the saving of many miles; a fact which would ensure the route being a popular one. The road I has been on the tapis for a long time. At present it is being formed at tlie northern end 11s far as Kapitea. The remaining link to Awatuna where the Stafford road would he connected, is not of great length, hut there would he two road bridges required—Kapitea creek and Wnimea creek. The road as far as it is lieing formed now will serve the settlers and the millers at Kapitea and Chesterfield, but the road way requires still to lie formed over the last section and gravelled for the full distance from Kumara Junction. The road through to Awatuna is not a costly undertaking, and it follows the route which the main road up and down the Coast should have followed—at the foot of the first hill from the ocean beach. Such a line presents no engineering difficulties and gives a grade comparatively level, which of course is a great consideration A strong plea should be put forward for this road, and 110 doubt the Automobile Association at Greymonth will join in the agitation for the road. 111 fact, the whole motor organisation should join issue in the matter, as the road will he of great service when constructed, to motm-i

for all time. There is the idea, if not the actual suggestion, that the Government is not particularly favoursi ho to the road, as it will rival to some extent the railway. This may he so, hut progress is surely not going to he retarded, and an uneconomic condition forced on motorists, because some Government official forsee.s rivalry to the railway. The welfare of the people as a whole must be considered, and seeing that there is an insistent demand for the road in question, the representations in regard to the matter should he persisted in till the object is

Achieved, for in the public interests as a whole it should he achieved. The road link with bake Mahinapua will afford ready access at all times to a natural beauty spot, which will he for all time an ideal picnic resort. Here a very short len K th of road only is required. Again there are not anv engineering difficulties, for the route is level throughout.. Once the connection is available, motor parties from all parts of the Coast will Ik? in. evitable. Tt will mean the discovery of a new resort practically, and if the happiness of the people counts with the Government, the road service to bake Mahinapua should he supplied as a contributory means. In regard to both works there is a reluctance to apportion grants very readily. .A || sorts of excuses are put forward. Toovercome the official opposition it would he worth while considering some offer of local support by way of subsidy. If estimates were prepared with regard to the probable cost of the respective works definite proposals could he formulated. Something of that nature is necessary for at present relying only on the small annual appropriation, it will fake years to complete the northern work in particular. If the present generation is to derive benefit from the work, the progress of construction must he accelerated, and that ean he forced onlv by some local contribution as an

earnest of the people’s wishes in tho matter to enforce the importance of the road upon the practical attention of the Government.