PUBLIC WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 5

PUBLIC WORKS

ROAD CONSTRUCTION.

Tlie following; references to road construction were contained in tire Public Works Statement :-r

The past year again saw very great progress made with the roading scheme whereby access is being provided for those settlers in the back districts, and also on the improvements, by way of widening and surfacing, to the many uncompleted roads. Each year the extension and improvement of the roads throughout the Dominion is assisting more settlers with the better working of their lands, and the record expenditure .by the Government of £1,253,801 on roadworks including main highways, during last year will show tire strides which are being made in this direction. The figure quoted, as was the case last year, shows a very considerable advance on the amount expended on roadworks during the preceding year. Wherever possible, consideration in the way of improved access was given to the backblock settlers, and the setting aside of a substantial sum under the new vote, “Roads to provide access to outlying districts,” resulted in more attention being paid to those raods than would have been possible from the general allocation under the ordinary roads vote. The extension of the Main 'South road of Westland, with a view to its ultimate connexion with the general roading system of Otago isone of the works which I have particularly in mind in this connexion. In my Statement last year I mentioned the fact that the new vote was being created, and the results obtained have, I think, amply justified the decision to earmark a special amount for the purpose of opening up and improving the roads in the sparsely populated districts.

In addition to the road construction which was undertaken by the various local bodies and the Department out of the usual funds provided fiom the roads and outlying districts votes, a large number of new works in various parts of the country were put in hand for the purpose of giving relief to the unemployed Many of these were completed, while others are approaching that stage, and a considerable number of roads, the construction of which under ordinary circumstances would have had to remain over for possibly several years, have in this way received attention.

MAIN SOUTH ' ROAD. AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. OF GOVERNMENT INTENTIONS. _ 'By Telegraph.—Special to Guardian) WELLINGTON, Sept. 27.

Mr Seddon, M.P., discussing with the Prime, Minister and Minister of Public Works the intimation in the Public Works Statement relative to the extension of the Main South road, Hon. Mr Coates indicated the proposal as one of the greatest importance yet put forward, for Westland. It meant a decision by Cabinet to carry the Main South read through the Far South to Haast and Okuru and by the Haast Pass to Otago. The work in Otago is to, begin shortly and votes are appearing in this year’s Appropriations for the road from Hawes Flat to Makorara, which cuts out the lake trip. The Prime Minister indicated a survey of the Westland section would be put in ;hand as soon as officers are available. The bridging of Cook’s River will be one of the first works undertaken.

The Minister of Public Works is expressing bis intention of going over the route in the New Year. He had been impressed by the reports of the Prime Minister and Mr Furkert, as to the .undertaking. When completed the road will be most notable, as the toiiring road of New Zealand. He looked forward to improving the access provided by the opening up of further country for profitable settlement.

Mr Coates also expressed the opinion that the opening of the read would give the district a greater fillip than any slow extension of the railway south. With the establishment of settlement the want off a railway would be more marked, but after traversing the district he was impressed with the urgent need of a road to open up such interesting territory. , .

Mr Seddon expressed thanks for the vailua’ble pronouncement made, and said he was glad to have the assurance of the Minister that a survey would be put in hand, and appreciating the value of the proposal, not only to the South district, but also to Westland as a whole.