HAAST PASS ROAD

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 5

HAAST PASS ROAD

OTAGO TO COAST

NEW LINK WITH WESTLAND,

(Per Press Association—Copyright)

DUNEDIN, June 26

The construction of a road over the Haast Pass was strongly urged by delegates to the South Island Moto r Union at the quarterly meeting. Mr F. J. Williams (Otago) said this undertaking of the construction of a road was of the utmost importance to Otago motorists. The I'oa-d, if constructed, would provide. ,a wonderful motor route, and would open up country that had great possibilities' as far a« both ilumbe r and gold were concerned.

Mr G. S. Kirby (Otago) said the roau formed an important link in the tourist, route round the South Island, and would eventually open up a round trip of 1000 miles. There were six ]ine s of communication with the West Co’-st north of Christchurch, and not one to the south. Next to Lewis Pass the Haast Pass was the lowest j, n the Alps. The Public Workg Department had recently resurveved the route oyer the pass, and stated that the formation of a road would present no.seripii s engineering difficulties. The height of the pass was 1847 ft, and it would not be snow-bound during the- winter. The work wfls suitable for unemployment relief,

The following motion was carried : “The Union approves of the work of forming a, road over the -Haast Pass immediately, a,s the route forms a. necessary link between Otago and the West Coast, and as the work will provide suitable employment for a large number of men with a minimum outlay .for material. That the matter be 'taken up with the Unemployment Boar* with a view to -an early start.”