HAAST PASS ROAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 13

HAAST PASS ROAD.

COASTAL ROUTE PREFERRED.

SOUTHLAND PROTEST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Friday. The recent decision to construct a continuation of the West Coast Road over the Haast Pass to Pembroke, as opposed to the original suggestion, was condemned at a meeting of the Southland Progress League last night. The former suggestion, which was keenly advocated by West Coast people* was that the road should run from Weheka, past the mouth of the Haast River, down the coast to Jackson's Bay and thence, via Big Bay and Lake McKerrow to Milford Sound.

The subject was raised in a letter from Mr. Eric James, of Dunedin, who described the decision to proceed with the Haast Pass Road in preference to the greater, proposition of linking the Westland Road system with the new Milford Road as "one of the greatest blunders of recent years." Mr. D. J. Wesney said the Milford Road would open up some splendid farming country, while the Haast Pass Road led only to a bleak hinterland.

Mr. J. H. Tattersfield suggested that a strong protest from the league, advocating that the Coast Road should take precedence over the Haast Pass Road on account of its prior importance might have effect.

It was decided to draft a letter to the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, containing a strong expression of the league's opinion on the ma.tter, .