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Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1931, Page 4

What ''si boon it would be to thei settlers of Southern Westland if the first section of the Great South Road beyond Weheka were completed and opened for traffic 1 iThe serttion extends to the Salf-water, a district of some eight miles. A. good wide road has been formed throughout, and is mdtalled for about a' quarter of the distance. The main requirement to give the route complete utility is the bridging of the Fox and Cook rivers, and in the interests of southern settlement thelse two substantial woras should not be delayed unduly. At present there' is abundance of labour to be placed, 1 and the available men should be utilised in part in completing a work which will be such a direct! i boon to settlement. Those familiar with river fords in the south will be aware of their changing nature,. Particularly over the summer months, when there is often an element of danger to the casual traveller not familiar with the vagaries of snow fed streams. Tf the Fox and Cook bridges were erected, one of the worst ford crossings on the far south would be avoided. The service the new road will he to the settlers will he , pronounced. Not only will isafety be enhanced but cheaper and more regular transport will he possible. Goo-l* facilities in road traffic have ad van--’d the upper half, of the southern district very substantially, and if the same convenience lrw extended now south, the Ka.rn.ngarun and Bruce Bay (districts would come more rapidly into their own. Many miles of level country would be affected, by the bridging, facilities suggest-

ed, and in the interests of the advancement- of settlement in Westland, tire- works mentioned above might have the earnest consideration of the authorities. The expenditure is fully justified by the prospects of the extensive district to be served. t