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Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1927, Page 2

With the steady advance in the construction ol bridges lor the main south road the lime is arriving when attention should be (uriiod to the improvement of the main highway ilsolf. There is now such a volume oi traffic • on the road that widening is essential over many sections, numerous sharp corners should be improved, and some of thv : gradients eased. There is room for ft good deal of work of the nature referred to. Certainly on some of the straights, turn outs should he provided, so that where heavy traffic is being encountered facilities for easy passing,“liould be provided. The work of widening and regrading could he done gradually, and it would appear it would be a wise course to set apart a reasonable sum iter annum for the purpose referred to. It is dear that by the bridging of all the large rivers, and the provision of bridges over the main streams, traffic is being attracted in a much larger volume than was ever anticipated. For safe transit of motor vehicles, many of which, owing to the large number of private cars are in the hands of drivers with not a large amount of experience, the road improvement is essential. The prosperity and progress of the district as a whole demands an improved road. Th that connection we recall the promise made by Rt. Hon Mr Contes when .Minister of Public Works, that in view of the extension of the railway being dropped, the sotiili country was entitled to a good service road. To supply a medium for transport of the standard necessary, road widening is very necessary over many sections of idle highway, and from the local prospects and the Ministerial promises there IS every justification in asking for the work and expecting- it to he undertaken i„ the near future. South Westbind is going to become a great holidav resort in winter as well as summer. Tn the coming winter there will he combined railway and motor trips so that the traffic will lie well maintained. Gradually the district n.s far as Cooks river will become one of the principal holiday resorts and playgrounds of the Dominion, rendering it more and more necessary to begin as soon as possible with the requisite road improvement, to render our incomparable main south road equal to the steady stress of traffic it will have to oarrv.