The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1929. THE HIGHWAYS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1929. THE HIGHWAYS.

T(ll , visit ol' tlic -Mill'll Highways Coun,.j| to Smith Westland to-day is indieatlvt. o|' (he interest taken l>y ine Highways Hoard in the mad ine of. the dist,ict. There are 103 miles of mam highways in the Westland County to-u;u-ds which the local Council contributes £lo-3() annually lor maiuten.,,ice. There are in addition ahout ;>0 miles of secondary highways in relation to which the local Council receives to £1 in respect, to maintenance. Of the four West Coast Counties in the Xo I‘J Main Highways District. the Westland County has the largest length of highways, and is also the principal cash contributor towards cost of maintenance. In addition to

the highways above referred to in Westland County, there are some 2(io miles of district roads. Roads and reading are thus a prominent matter in respect to County administration, a fact which gives added interest to tiie visit of the Highways Council at this juncture. The County Council just now is applying for additional secondary highways, covering some 30 miles, and the Highway Council’s visit is partially in connection with those applications, as well as to see works on the main highway which ends at present at Wailio Gorge, though the control in the near future may he extended to Welicka. The visit is thus of importance as serving the southern reading, lor both at Harilmri and Wntaroa, the main flat roads are scheduled as probable highways No doiiat during the t mr, the special need for widening the main highway at several points, will lie finked into. Application has been made on that account, and it may be assumed will be considered I 'vourably. The bridging of the prin- < dial rivers on the South roads is in ha lid. and all will be provided for practically on this year’s estimates. By the addition of the secondary highways asked for at Wanganui and Wntaroa. the southern district will he well served, as with the improvements on the main .south road, the reading of the district will bo well cared for indeed. If the Wailio-Wolioka section is also taken over, that likewise will be of (onsiderable value to the .south, as additional money will he available to ensure imperative improvements being effected before next season. Attention to the main highways with the Government help, will assist indirectly the district roads under the special care of the local body, which will then have more funds available to improve the by-roads which are the feeders of the main highways. This improvement must Ik? of advantage to settlement. Good roads place an extra value on the adjacent, holdings, and the users mi joy a permanent benefit in convenience. as well as in service, because good roads mean cheaper freights or running costs There is no doubt that of late years much has been done to improve the roads of the district. The highways scheme has been a great help in that direction, and coupled with the use of road-making machinery, excellent service is being given. Roads are an essential factor in tin* progress of tins district. The length of railway in Westland is very short, and that means that industrial expansion and the growth of settlement must depend in the main or the roads for transport. On that account good roads and linin' of them are essential lor Mostland.