The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1928. A GREAT UNDERTAKING.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 October 1928, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1928. A GREAT UNDERTAKING.

The policy regarding roads to outlying districts enunciated in the Public Works Statement this year, gives promise of the late Mr Macandrew’s dream and the late Mr Seddon’s desire coming ti-ue within a reasonable time. Both ■ these statesmen hoped for a girdle to be .put round the South Island. The Hon. Iv. S. Williams in his Statement .delivered in Parliament last week, said that “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 roads than would have been possible from the general allocation under the ordinary roads vote. The extension of the Main South road of Westland, a view to its ultimate connex-

ion with the general roading system of Otago is one of the works which T have particularly in mind in this connexion.” This indicates the beginning or a great undertaking, and one of the most important pronouncements . in regard to public works affecting the future of Westland, second only to the piercing of the Southern Alps with the Arthur’s Pass tunnel. The- Government is certainly to be congratulated on this declaration of policy and intention to go forward with a road connection, which, when completed, will afford the finest motor drive in the Dominion. The Member for Westland (Mr Seddon) has discussed the matter with both the Prime Minister (Mr Coates) and the. Minister of Public Works, and. found both very enthusiastic. It will be recalled that Mr Coates when Minister of Public Works, traversed the route m company with Mr Furkert, Engineer-in-Chief, and is thus familiar with the undertaking and its magnitude. Mr Coates has intimated to Mr Seddon that he recognised the ultimate value of opening the through route,' and has now impressed Cabinet as a whole with his convictions, with the result that the construction of the road has become part and parcel of tlie Dominion policy of public works, and is to be pushed ahead as rapidly as funds are available. Mr Horn, M..P., for the Lake County district, who has been closely associated with Mr Seddon in the advocacy for the opening of the Haast Pass route to Westland, is delighted also with the policy decided upon, and funds are definitely provided on this year’s estimates for the first main bridge on the Otago side of the route. As regards work on the Westland side, a survey party is to be detailed as soon as possible •for the undertaking of tlie work, while the Hon. Mr Williams contemplates an early tour of the route to confer with liis officers regarding the more important stages to be put in band. It is very gratifying to learn also that Mr Furkert, the Eneineer-in-tChief, is personally enthusiastic about the undertaking, and realises the construction work will provide useful occupation for a large number of men for a considerable time. The pronouncement is certainly on the highest importance* to the far South .district. The construction of the road will provide a double outlet to markets, either to Otago or North Westland, and induce a stream of traffic to ply up and down the Coast, which activity must create a decided improvement in the general atmosphere governing the prospects of the district. All concerned are therefore to he congratulated on the launching of so great a project of such outstanding promise to the future of Westland and it will bo the special task tor the Member for Westland to see that the work goes forward with all possible tapiejity.

Tub' reading of South. Westland as promised by the proposal to extend the nmin South road right into Otago, and give a round road tour of the South Island, will introduce what is most needful to the far south—more population. There is a great tract of country to he opened up and much that will ho essentially new, will he tapped. The possibilities of the territory in regard to mineral finds are not the least promising of the 'future. South Westland is rich in mineral deposits. Specimens of numerous valuable minerals have been found from time to time, and with better access and more people about, some genuine should result, and rich finds are not at all unlikely. The treasure to be recovered in that event will l>e very considerable, and should more than repay the cost of the road which will run into many thousands of pounds. Roads for development purposes are the first essentials, and iTom the earliest days the cry has been, “Open up the country.” The Government programme delayed though it has been, now gives promise of/ giving a special fillip to the district, the future of which gives greater promise than even at this juncture. It is to be hoped there will he general co-operation on all parts o'i the district with the Member for Westland, in the effort to see that the great undertaking now being brought to notice, is prosecuted with all despatch. It will be, an undertaking of some years, but every chain of road made or every bridge constructed, justifies more and more the througn completion, and accomplished it will be a great lever to the pronounced prosperity of this side of the Island. No more wonderful road drive could he imagined. There will he every kind of scenic glory to he picked out along a route which will pass through a natural wonderland. The road will be world famous like many of the motor trips to he enjoyed in the States or Canada. There can he but few world rivals to such a trip, and this oustanding fact should he an incentive to the public bodies, and all concerned concentrating on the prosecution df the work with the utmost despatch. The district is certainly under an obligation to the Minister for Public Works for propounding this great scheme of roading.