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Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1926, Page 2

Ar the County Council this week the question of opening up a new route for stock traffic was mentioned by Air Donovan. The line of road proposed is to connect the AYataroa and TnterAVanganui- districts, by traversing the country approximately from the Lower AYataroa Gorge to the Lower Little Wanganui Gorge. In a direct line tills would he a very short route, the distance scaling less than seven miles. It is unlikely, however, that so short a cut could he made, but it would be many miles shorter than the present road-way over AToniM Hercules which has to he negotiated now. It is understood that the line now proposed was suggested as the original route for the main south road. This seems to lie borne out by the fact that there is a road line laid off to the Litt'" AA'nngnmii Gorge, which was considered an ideal bridge site. The read would then have struck across country behind the Saltwater to the AA ataroa. The higher country about Mount Hercules and the several stream crossings which empty into the AYataroa river, would have been avoided in the compnrntiely level tract of country he-

tween the two rivers. There would, however, have been some swamp laud to deal with, but the forest country would be similar, and the shortening of the route would be material. It is in the latter' respect that the roadway non commends itself for the stock traffic. Were the road available stock could be brought from the AYataroa by way of Wanganui Flat, without touching the maiifrdad till Evans’ Crest was reached. The distance would be shortened verv greatly, and the road traffic avoided—which would be much appreciated by stock drovers. Apart from tliis material aid to South Westland stock transport, a very fine range of country should bo opened up. The country may be more or less swampy in keeping with the Rotokino territory, but it is cx ' ceptionally good soil if drained. It is a rich chocolate soil which should he capable of growing anything once the land were drained effectively. lhe route will tap also some good hush country and should touch the fringe of the silver pine hush about the Stillwater. Altogether it appears to be a lino of road worthy of opening up. It would he no doubt the natural line for the railway when it is pushed south, so that in opening up a route, a practical demonstration will he given also of the facilities for railway construction to tap the great forests ranging along the sea coast of the district. The achievement of the road in the meantime will be a boon much to be desired.

TuK fifth test match has been fought to a finish, and England has won by 289 runs, ft was indeed a handsome win, and England accounted for the Australians in an unmistakeable manner. ■ln the first innings the honors were even, Australia being twenty-two runs to the good. The second innings was the testing time, and England ran up a score of 436. The Australian bowlers failed to come off with special scoops, though runs wore kept down after the star batsmen Hobbs and .Sutcliffe were accounted for. Both batsmen mentioned lived up to their reputations, and Hobbs will be more than ever the idol of the English cricket rvorld. Now that bo is retiring from the big side of the game, he should have a worthy successor in Sutcliffe. The Australian innings proved a very weak effort to overtake the substantial main England had set. All the big guns, despite patience and prowess, failed to become assertive, and the honor of the top score 101 lto the wicket keeper Oldfield. There is no doubt the rain overnight affected the wicket, so that the luck of the position was with England in winning the toss. Tn the two innings England recorded 710 runs, a high test standard. Australia aggregated 427. a respectable total. but not superior for test requirements. The victory for England was Avell and worthily won. and the great pleasure felt at the victory at Home can cvell ho understood and appreciated. The victory cannot he begrudged, for both in hatting and howling the English team gave a. good account of themselves. The effect of the victory on English cricket cannot lie otherwise than good. There has been a doleful feeling at Home that the cricketers were hack numbers. The comic press seemed to take special delielit in depicting the pessimistic side, but being comic, perhaps we may infer that as usual the 'Englishmen were making flic best of a had situation. However, the tone and color of English cricket is now of the brightest, and the 1926 season is going to he a. very historical one in the story of the game in Mother England. The' Old Land well deserves the victory won so pronouncedly.