The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 1920. ANOTHER PORTAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 1920. ANOTHER PORTAL.

“It would lu? com tort mg to he able to ascribe the remarkable series of misadventures v liifli linve characterised the construction of the new main arterial road between Blenheim) and the West Coast to misfortune, or to plain hard luck; but that is not the explanation. The cause of the trouble is sheer inefficiency and carelessness on the part of the Public Works Depart-ment-—a carelessness which has already i cost the taxpayers of New Zealand many thousands of pounds, and which has now developed into one of the gravest scandals which has ever been attached to a public department.” With this remarkable opening the “Marlborough Express”, of Blenheim attacks the Public Works Department for alleged bungling in the construction of tho work in question. The review of the position as it presented itself to a special reporter of the newspaper, is a scathing attack and details are given alleging that plans for bridge work have proved inaccurate and the engineers’ estimates are all at sea. There are complaints also of road way partly constructed destroyed by heavy traffic before the highway was ready, necessitating the remaking of tho road. Xo doubt the attack and charges "ill lie brought before the authorities, for the complaints are too definite and sweeping to he ignored, supported as they are by very definite statements as to the alleged waste and incompetence which it is hold has 1 marked the progress of the construction of the road. The road in question supplies a short cut to Marlborough from the West Coast, and owing to the saving of time and distance in travelling, as well as the direct connection it gives with the steam ferry service, Picton and Wellington, the route supplies another portal to the West Coast. The Westland Progress League, looking to tho useful purpose the highway would serve as a ready means of inter-communica-tion, lias been an active supporter of the construction of tbe road, and is still using its influence in that direction. Tbe road when available for traffic will assist materially to readjust and improve the system of communication governing tho middle region of New Zealand. The reduction in tV* time of travelling between Picton and the Coast will be very considerable, for tbe long detour at present involved via Xelson will be cut off. A shorter route and a great saving in time will be a material inducement for travel, and as motoring is now so much in vogue, the traffic by the new portal to the Coast will be very considerable. It is to be regretted there lias been so much delay in opening up tlie route, but it can be understood if half the story of the alleged bungling be true. The indictment of the Public Works Departmentis a .severe one, and calls for some explanation. Tn particular there will he the desire to see the road put through. As matters stand, Marlborough Province is something apart from the '

Coast. It is remote, and without community of interest. Tlio existence of the road in question will change all that and bring the two provincial districts much- closer together, and no doubt to mutual advantage. The local Progress League has been consistent iu its agitation, and it well that the advocacy is to bo maintained. Representations from this quarter will show to the Government what is at stake, and the benefit which the improved means of access will create. It is apparent that already the Government has spent a very large mini of money on the highway, a fact which shovis recognition of its necessity. That being so there is the urgent need to turn the expenditure to use and advantage, and for that purpose the road should be carried to completion with the least possible delay.