The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1933. MOTORING INTERESTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1933. MOTORING INTERESTS.

The late visit of representatives, of the Canterbury Automo~ue Association should do someth.ng to Stimulate mocoring interests in regard to further improvements in Westland traffic. In ike past the local Bra non affiliated with the Canterbury organisation was active in its support of various necessaiy road improvements and many road conveniences resulted, With the crect-on of bridges on the mam -' V p south read' dpe to the active co-opera-tion of the Highway authorities in the main, local interest in further inn [movement's flagged, and at tte present the Branch is in a moribund condition. In the neighbouring centre, ‘GreyniO'uth motoring interests continue very active and hare done good work in securing the more rapid completion of back country roads fund bridges -which now greatly facilitate motor traffic in the "Upper Grey. The same organisation has been no less active in urging t-lio bridging of the Whimakarii'i river on the ChristchurchHckitika road, and though this effort has not been crowned with success, the subject hate been kept well before the authorities, and the proposals for the work are now ready for action as soon as the requisite funds are in sight. A'.a agitation from tills lend of the district might well be made to co-operate with the Greymouth effort, and with unity success would come the quicker. Local motorists might also turn their attention more to South Westland so that the motor road penetrating south might he extended as quickly as possible. At present the motor road ends at Weheka, but there is much read Way beyond that point* tabooed to motorists because of the unbridged .rivers. From Weheka south a new road through a very beautiful forest area has been constructed, but may he .used only for a mile or so, because the rough river bed of the Fox river is a harrier. And beyond the Fox, the road again continues to the next rough river bed barrier at Cooks. Provision has been made for a bridge over Fox river , but the money hag not been expended. Were the two rfvers referred to bridged, motor traffic as far as Karangarua river would be assured This would open up a fair stretch of flat road, and besides being of great interest to motorists, would be a boon to the pioneer settlers who would be brought so much nearer the central market by motor traffic. The demand for the two bridges above referred to might well he a fitting work for a local organisation, and the Branch v mifvht take the matter no, for consummated the result Would be a material advantage for the sustained clevel-. opxnent of the southern district. There are of course many other, activities which might Le taken up, and an active Branch working in concert with the northern Branch and with the co-opera-tiontion of the parent body in Christchurch, could do a great deal to improve the ronding and bridging of the district. As the achievements were from time to time noised abroad the influx of visiting motorists would steadily increase and add to the value of the tourist traffic of the district.