The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated The West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1929. SOUTH WESTLAND ROADING.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated The West Coast Times. TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1929. SOUTH WESTLAND ROADING.

-TMi.ua are some aspects oi the monetary tost oi roading Soutli Avestlanu '.lucJt at iirst sight may be rather ueterinig, but it .lie question is lookcu ..t as ii ready is, tiie figures are imi so alarming. 'J.iere aie importani i-ading propositions in mind at the moment bearing oi| the extension of Luo Great Soutli Hoad beyond U eheka and the reading ol the Okuru-Jaeksoii Bay district. Bo.li works will be uxiVly, admitted!'. - . The former has been estimated to- cost in the region of £450,00J to carry the Great Soiuh iunul by way of the Haast Pass into Outgo 1 , while the latter work, ■'the loading in the far south of Westland c.t Okuru (which will be off the beaten route by way of liaast Pass) is estimated to' cost some £70,000. In the minds of many these figures appear to e so large as to at once prejudice- trie undertakings But do the facts of the case justify the antagonism? The Westland County happens to be the largest County in the Dominion. It is some 200 miles in length, and with an average width of 20 miles, holds an area of 4000 square miles-. It stands to reason that to road so vast a territory must cost a very large sum. Actreally less than half of the length of loaded so far as arterial road access, is concerned. The main vehicle road now extends so far as motor traffic is concerned, only to Cook River. This is really les stlian half of the length of Westland County. A return pub'i short a few months ago as prepared for the Public Works Department, indicated Hmt there wore- 195 vehicle roads in Westland, with a total length of 441 miles 60 chains, and the capital cost of those roads was set down at £500,745, {hough the estimated value of the present improved roads in the district a-t tin l present value of money, was given at £815.215. Now it is a remarkable fact that beyond Webeka where, the greater half of Westland County lies, there are 'ess t-Imn '0 miles of vehicle reading, and that Dm cost- of 'hat, e- istiim ro°din<r wo ID 1 r > ill the regi' ii of £2O 0 0. Oil D*'v-« fiernre* therefore, a verv large sum indeed is dim the far '-m’Di be give jt D ,n ade'Miafe roading as-Wl for. On Dm n\‘ bentos mentioned a'e-e.D’'* mods .i-r»«i]<l cost le-s l ban the e -rDmim mndiim. illoit"'. the area to- he served is "fl'f-e.'e.-, Tld’i an-il-s.isi at irro 'Mstifies the equity of Die rmpmst for the reading, and presents a very logical claim to the authorities. It is

pleasing to know <;f course that the .ate uovci nmcnt, through .Mr Coates, recognised the wisdom or pushing on lire Great South Hoad, and the last Public Works iSratemeu- laid down that policy There'seems to be spe. ial •ceasiou,. therefore v.i- press lor tlie active prosecution of the work. With lie change in Government it will be necessary to .-e. lire die support and recognition the work l.v the .Minisiry, and on that ate uni it was regrettable tiiat Llie M.nister of Publi. ..oi'K.s could n t visit here las. week. ..s to the general 4 proposition and the .■ascii la I necessity .or loading South. ■Vestiaml we have to lo .k oil y to the Ifovt on the. localities loaded already, til the south seLtleinenis well iser.e-ti with roads, are flourishing. The dis rift is very solid and s lvent, amt ,t is a re.i.nr..ai)le fart that the” hulk of the voter settlement ends where die loading ends. Beyond die m .tor o;.<l where transit and transport are liffictiiL the primitive conditions stiii prevailing hamper progress. Yet, it is clear that the larger half of Westland retarded hy the want of r .ads, is similar in physical features to that of tin more settled northern parts. There are lie same h vest areas and river flats waiting: to he cleared and settled, with productive farms hJk! pastoral puriiits. We may take it that the £560,7*15 already spent in providing o.ei .00 miles of road for prosperous settle.(Cut, was money well spent, and that lie country is reaping the reward for assisting to do.el ip it by a wise policy if rending. In the same way, an ex tensi ,'ii of that policy, and the raaxlny: of the larger half of West-land further south will be equally remuneraive, and give the opportunity for raspering .settlements all al .ng the route Therefore there should he n alse modesty about asking;- f.r what :t is clear will be all for the«Jjcst for A'est.and as a whole.