LEWIS SADDLE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19941, 30 May 1930, Page 14

LEWIS SADDLE.

THE NEW ROAD.

ROUTE NOW FIXED. T?ho Public Works Department has now decided upon the route for the new road over the Lewis Pass to the West Coast after considering the investigations of Mr R. A. Wilson, who has been in charge of the survey, and who has been on the spot for the past six* weeks. Mr F. Laagbein, resident engineer for the Publie Works Department, who, with Mr A, J. Baker, inspecting engineer, has been to the Lewis Pass to decide on the route, returned to Christchurch last evening, and informed a rosentative. of The Pbwm of the course to be taken. He stated that the road would proceed up the right bank of the Waiau river, from the Waiau ferry, past the Glen Wye station, to a-point about three-quartera-of-a-mile below Poplars station. Here the Hope will be crossed. The road then follows the left bank of the Boyle river up to the junction of the Lewis river, the Boyle being crossed near the junction. Before this route was agreed on consideration was given to an alternative proposal to cpntinue up the right bank of the Hope river, beyond the Ppolars, on a terrace about JSOOft above the river level, this scheme, however, had shj*» disadvantage of lengthening the route, and also involving considerably heavier earth works.

At the present time a hundred men, working at relief wages are engaged in improvise the first 16 miles. Fifty men from the ranks of the unemployed; have been working there for sotte # time. The decision is particularly interesting to some of the settlers along the north bank of the Hops river, as thie side is completely isolated.