The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1930. THE ROADS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1930. THE ROADS.

'Jhk reopening of the Lyell-Murchi-son road is worthy of all recognition ii’oni W<pf Coasteis, who have heard the authorities taken so much to tank because of the expenditure of highways funds on the road in question. The road is a main highway, as it was before the unfortunate earthand what was more natural than that the Highways Board should bo responsible for the restoration. The road /is an important arterial connection for the Coast, and it wins fortunate that when that outlet for traffic was closed, it was possible, to open a road connection by way of Martiia. That served temporarily hut no ono would argue, and least of all the complaining motorists, that the Mamin, circuit should sulfite for a|f time, and the Lyell road lie not opened, Mad the Highways Board not come to -the pc-Rcuo with regard to work op the LyeU section, it is doubtful if the mouey oqu|d have been as readily forthcoming from other sources, and in that event, the more costly route via Manna would have continued indefinitely. As it is, all thanks are due to the authorities concerned for reopening the road, and'doing it so well. It is, in point of fact an indisponsible highway, and must needs bo put in first class order, and so kept. The section * concerned is that between Lyell and Murchison, so that, it spans the most difficult section of the Nelson-West Coast railway. The line is now at the Go wan and forging its way to Murchison which will lio most probably, the terminus, for mtiny years to come, The Buller-lnangahua railway will in due course reach the Junction which is the nearest point to the Lyell, so that the road now opened is going to be fop an indefinite term of years the connecting point between the two railway systems, Because of that the read .must necessarily lie a good one, and the Public Works officers are being praised for providing such a convenience. There is therefore special reason to appreciate what has been done in the way of roading ais affording an improved outlet north for the benefit of the Coast. Other road facilities now provided which assist to help traffic to and from the Coast, are the Tophou.se route to Blenheim, and the Coast road between Grey-' mouth and Westport. These new sections now virtually in daily use, tend to shorten journeys between main poinl'H and so give facilities for quick transit to and from the northern part of the Island, AVhat the Government is lining in thus respect is to be approved greatly, and with the completion of the major works re 1 erred to, there should he more money and lah' or for pushing the Giront South Road on towards the Mansi. Very su li l-airtiul progress is being! made on the (Hugo side with the mail to link up with the great Went Coast four, and when ll’ i is co-n hoc Lion is available, it promises In be a. most important highway, and will give laoilii'.v. for a round the Island highway which will he of the greatest value in attracting visitors to ,\ew Zealand, lie-ides that of course, it will open 111> jC]'-eat tracts of <ani.nl.ry at present Iml sparoelv settled, and miy-d. lead to important, developments <>l eresit national value. 'Hi is part of Now Zealand ran well afford to take up its part iu urging the authorities to concentrate more and more on the advancement of the Great South Rond. It will serve many purposes of promising value, and is justified over every stage. Otago has given a lead and

shown the value of orgnnisaliou ii semiring the extenmon of the road s< that it penetrates so far iioiw toward' the Haast Pass. Otago can he tak (‘ii as a model for action h.v Westland. Phrough its Parliain.'nt-'M'y represell Ivitives. load bodies and loon organisations there should he in si;stent and persistent agitation for the hurrying on of tin' road so that in the fullness of time it will b? passible to join hands with Otago on the divide at Haast Pa.-s. It is a work of magnitude, hut it is a work of great promise in the value it is going to he for all time. The fact that it assist' to girdle the Island through territor hut little known and too) sparsely populated, but which is all Crown estate, dhonld be a, special incentive for united action to endeavour to see tin* completion programme- actively in hand.