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Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1927, Page 2

The deputation of South Island Members of Parliament to the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works relative to ronding matters, gave Mr Seddon the opportunity ns spokesman for his colleagues on the particular subject to ventilate the need for wishing the arterial road into South Westlapd. Mr Seddon fnade a plea for a

roral connection between tho l’aringa and the liaast. This is a considerable order, as to provide a. road access it menus probably a completely new route. The present horse track is over high country, including the Thomas range, and would he difficult for road construction. The surveyors in the early days had a deliberate policy in mind of going inland as much as possible between two given points. There "as the case of the original road to Greynioutli which wound round by way of Mnrsden. The same with the liras road, it depresses far inland. And so also with varying sections if the main South road, as at Ml. Hercules, over the Waiktikupa Saddle and so on. The idea was “to open up the country.” Had the arterial roads been e-uistruct-ed along the recall front at the foot hills, there would he a very different •story to fell .about road ace. s to-day. Bid the winding tracks of the far sou tit are there, and it is a <|iiestion how hast t > r> iiicdv Ihe ji- siil.m when road construction 'b.eom , n«r -div.

Mr Coates spoke encouragingly. Tie Ivix Jmtl the opjKjrf«:nify of touring; tho fur i»uuth, aml kii-ev/ t!u» not urn of t!io country lie talked ahout. Mr Scddnn appoai-s to liav-e made out a siren/*; and Mr Coates gave a. reply which was Unite salisfotory as far as it went. I here is a great tract of country south, and as the roads have, been provided, flic, country has become settled, and there are a succession of pr :s:periug ci minunitios li is for {he Government to go on .slop by step with tlie good "ork which hitherto has been all worth while, ft. is pleasing to know that at present there is such cordial and inllnentia! support, from various parts, including Otago, Canterbury and Auckland, all which are anxious to see the South Island circled with a good road. The loading of the district is the more essential and urgent, because. of the lack of railway connections. Mr Contes laid it. down some time ago, that where a railway was not projected, mailing should he provided, and that policy it should be i he effort to sec brought to pas-:. MY S-?d----don is therefore sure to have every help i:i liis ndvocncv cf a work wliir!>. will noon up so .great- a stretch of now re-nitry for dose sett I-metit.