The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1926. ROAD REQUIREMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1926. ROAD REQUIREMENTS.

At the Progress League meeting on Thursday night. Mr Jeifries deplored the fact that there was no hope of advocating railway works in the district with any chance of success. In that eircnmtance, the meeting fell hack on roading, and several important road works of interest to Westland were mentioned. Beginning at the north, there was the short cut road through to Blenheim, via the Tophouse route. This line of road which it is possible to have opened l>y next summer, will supply a short cut from the Coast to Blenheim. It is said when the road (which ’branches oil from the Nelson road at the junction of the Hope river with the Boiler) is through, it will he possible to travel by motor car from Hokitika to Blenheim in eleven hours, or one hour shorter time than from Hokitika to Nelson. It will he seen that the connecting link is an important one, and means a great saving in time in transport between the two points. If and when the road is through n car connection could be made at Pirt-on with the fast running steamer Tamahine for Wellington, the trip from Hokitika to Wellington could be accomplished in fifteen hours! That i= a great saving in time hardly dreamt of but a short time ago. Another road to effect a great saving in travelling time, is the Coastal road, Greymouth to Wetport. which cuts off a long mileage of roadway by the present detour through "Reefton. Both these works arc to be actively advocated bathe Progress League this year, and looking to the great saving which will he possible when the roads are open, the economic advantage to the communities and people affected fully justifies every effort being made to see the work accomplished with the least delay possible. In the immediate neighbourhood of Hokitika the. time saving roads specially required are the connection from Kumara Junction to Awatunn. and from Hokitika to Ruatapu. Now that motor transport- is coming so much into its own, these connections are becoming more and

more lfecessArv, and though at the present time the authorities are loath about providing for the works in question, the public necessity and convenience of the connection v. ill overcome all official opposition, and the roads must be opened. Any delay is cosily procratinntion, for the growing use of the motor vehicle demands the best roads and the shortest routes he provided to permit of transport from one point to another. Passing south, and still considering roading requirements, the most urgent matter is the bridging of the unbridged streams which impede motor traffic between ITv.ri Ilari and Wailio Gorge. North of Ilari Hath ‘the streams at present troublesome are provided for and the bridges should he provided this year, hut south of Hari Ilari. the works are hut listed for attention. The groat urgency for the bridges should be the compelling force to ensure the Progress League in conjunction with the local body, doing all in its power to push on the works. The bridging of the Wailio river is in hand, but it is proceeding all too slowly. Anything that can lx> done by persistent agitation to accelerate the work should he attempted so that this groat boon to southern traffic will be available as early as possible. After the Wailio bridge is built, the next question will he to sec the road and bridges to the south pushed ahead, so that regular road traffic to Pence Bay will he assured, In the far south there are the settlement roads from Jackson Bay to Okuru, and the opening of a road by way of the Hfiast Pass into Otago. Both these works have the practical sympathy of the League and are being advocated persistently. A delegation ol the League, accompanied I>y represcnlativcs of the Canterbury Progress League, is to visit, the far south in August, and much will depend on the outcome of that visit of inspection. It will he seen, therefore, that if there is an absence of railway works in the district, there are many arterial roads to he provided for as a moans to more efficiently work and develop the district. The roads will play a great part in developmental work for the reason that with motor traction, speed and long distance travelling will overcome many present, shortcomings, and much will he accomplished to serve’ distant communities, and bring about a means of regular intercourse which is a.- yet not. possible. The League may look forward for a busy year if it is to give all the attention it should to the road works in demand and which when available will do so much tb add to the general prosperity of the district and Iho Island.