HAAST PASS ROAD

Evening Star, Issue 21469, 21 July 1933, Page 11

HAAST PASS ROAD

COMPLETION URGED The Otago Expansion League, in its annual report, repeats tho request for tho completion of the Haast Pass road as a national necessity, and stresses its value from the point of view of opening up fresh lands for settlement and opening up fresh charms for the tourist. ,V ; ■ ", - ;■ : For many years the Otago Expansion League has been actively working for the fulfilment of tho promises made to have the Haast Pass roq.d connection completed between Otago and Westland, and especially»to the isolated parts of Western Otago. The annual report of the league states that it had hoped, indeed it was promised, that the work would go on beyond Makarora and that the long-isolated people of Okuru and other western settlements would be brought into touch with their kindred across the hills. Mr Furkert, late Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department, recently stated in the presence of Mr Macmillan, then Public VVorks Minister, that there were no engineering difficulties to be met with in the construction of this road, that there were many thousands of acres of the very best land all ready for settlement, that some of tho finest timbers to bo found in the dominion were situated there; that the natural oulct for he produce from these lands was at the railhead at Cromwell, that the road was essential as a tourist connection between east and west, and that the only reason for its non-completion was want of finance. Some people might say that the time was inopportune for opening up more lands for settlement when the produce from lands that are already settled were producing at a loss, 1 or were, so supposed to be doing, but the league was optimistic enough to think that the time would come again, and soon, when the product of tho soil would return handsome'payments to those interested. The league therefore felt that, with labour plentiful, the time was particularly opportune to prepare for that day when not only would there be an enhanced demand for the produce of tho soil, but that this through connection would be absolutely necessary for the hosts of tourists who would desire to travel over what should be the finest scenic trip obtainable anywhere. “ The time is surely coming when New Zealand will be the Mecca of the tourist, as within its shores can be found all that pleases,” states the report. “ The variety and comprehensiveness of its many scenic charms were not surpassed anywhere, and due recognition of those charms must surely eventuate. For that reason the league still reiterated its request for the completion of this road as a national necessity, both from tho point of view of opening Tip fresh lands for settlement, and opening up fresh charms for the tourist.”