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Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1930, Page 4

Th ere is genera] satisfaction expressed at the prospect of a visit of the Ho.ll .Minister of Public Works towards the end of March. It is particularly desired that time will permit to pay n visit to the far south where several loading propositions await attention. Tliere is an explicit promise to look personally into the Jackson Bay loading scheme, and.it will he very gratifying if Mr Ransom can discharge that duty before next session. Another matter of importance to the south is the active prosecution of the road const ruction from Cook’s river to Bruce Ray. This is the next section of the groat south road for active attention. At present a party of men is engaged on the section from Welieka to. Cook’s river, and the work is forging ahead steadily. This public work has provided a useful outlet for unemployment, and as there is such a length of road ahead to he taken in hand, there isroom for a larger number of men requvring employment. There arc no engineering difficulties in the construct inn of the road to Bruce Bav. Reaching Welieka. the hiMv and high country is disposed of, and there is a long stretch of flat country abend. Although there are no reading difficulties, and material in plenty is available for construction work, there are four or five large rivers to be spanned.

The bridging of these rivers is highly essential to assure a useful vehicle road. It is the lack of these bridges which is retarding the progress of the settlement along the route referred to, so that the bridging of the rivers must go hand in hand with the making of the road. It will be most useful for the. Minister of Public Works to pass over this country, and seu the local conditions. It will be a really great boon to the settlers to have a. vehicle road tapping tne district, for such a convenience will enable both dairying and stock raising to expand in that locality. With the present road ending at Weheka, it is manifest that the extension should go on. The advantage of a good road service to the parts of South Westland is being demonstrated season by season A record number o. lambs is ocming out of the south this season, and other Hooks and herds are increasing steadily. It was mentioned the oilier day that the whitemu ters at Inter-Wanganui earned £ISOOO by the export of fish last season. Quick transport by road accounted for that return. Large, extra revenue will accrue as the reading pushes south, and it cannot move fast enough to ineot requirements. This matter must he impressed on the Hon. Minister first and last when in the district.