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Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1927, Page 2

Evidk.vti.v in the near future, ilcoording to the report of the recent meeting el tho Westland Progress League, some new routes for old are to be substituted for coastal communication. During the coming holidays il is expected the Taphouse route into Marlborough will be available for motor traffic, in which case the journey between Blenheim and all the principal towns an the Coast will be accomplished in one day The new route brunches oil the Nelson-Coast road, where the Hope timl Bailor rivers junction. The road l ben follow s the I ’pper Ifuiler l iver to Lake Rotoiti. and 1 hence to Ibe Tollhouse. From there, the road follows the Wairau river, right through tho valley to Blenheim. The bridges aioiie delay through communication at the present, but these are to lie available shortly, and car traffic is expected through the holidays. The new route cuts out the round-about journey through Nelson if Blenheim be the. objective, and naturally shortens the journey very considerably. The new mute will be very much used for motor traffic through to llie North Island. By connecting with the I'.S.S. Tamahine (which litis special facilities for transporting motors) a ■ |iiick connection can be made at Pieion. and the at tilal travelling time will bo • red need greatly. The second route to bo opened for motor traffic during next year, is that of the Coastal road south from Westport. This road will create a transformation in inter-com-munication between Westport. 'Greymouth and Hokitika. The journey between Westport and Hokitika will be possible in the forenoon, with little more than half that time for the trip from AYcstport to Greymouth. The bridges will lie the main delay on this route, but tho authorities are now pushing all the works ahead as quickly a.s possible. The road itself is being advanced very rapidly. This route will also work in with the Tophouse route, and still further shorten the journey between Blenheim and Hokitika. The time does not appear far distant when there will he a daily motor service between here and Blenheim and Picton. reducing the soil crossing in tho journey to the North Island to less than three hours. These improved facilities for travelling must be of great service to the public at large, and w:>’ be of value to all the centres involved in the coming change.