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Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1930, Page 4

Reoaiu)tng a direct motor route between Westland and Canterbury, the authorities on this side have been doing their best to meet the natural requirements of the traffic. The Westland section of the main highway to Canterbury is in greatly improved order. All Streams have been bridged and the road in dangerous places improved. So far as co-operating with Christchurch

in this matter is concerned, Westland has done its part. Jt was part of the request from the Christchurch motoring visitors a. year ago, to take up the matter of a deviation to avoid Paddy’s Rend and the creeks am the route to the Bcnley, by crossing the Wnimakariri river at the railway line. 'Jliis was. a feasible proposition, and should certainly be taken in hand, whether the Canterbury motorists move in the mater or not. Apparently it will be now for Westland to move in regard to a national motor route across the Island. The route is so well defined and has existed for so long, that its improvement should be but a matter of course. The road lias Wen in existence since the earliest days of settlement. It stands as a monument to the enterprise and resource of the early pioneers, and it will he a reflection on those who come after, if the good work carried on in the early days is not built on and improved. Looking back to the old coaching days, folk will remember the regularity with which the service was maintained, ana despite the constant traffic, the freedom from serious accident. Actually very little has been done for motor traffic between Springfield and Arthur’s Pass since that form of conveyance came into vogue. Motor traffic over the Gorge was slow in coining, but once the power of the machine was •demonstrated, no doubfc the traffic would have been catered for more readily had not the railway been available. But there are occasions when the trains are interrupted, and the trade and intercourse between the twci Coasts even in passengers and mails, are warrantry enough to have an (alternative route. Motor traffic also is sure to increase, and the Highways Board and the local bodies are improving the national} roads to meet that growth. It is essential that an arterial route 'such as the East and West Coast road should lib in the national programme, and the onus is now with the people of Westland to advocate the necessary attention. We shall be surprised if the Canterbury people as a whole refuse to support a national highway into Westland, and an appeal to the right quarter should secure influential support to any reasonable project in regard to the work necessary, from the local bodies and public men of the Canterbury Province.