The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1929. AN EXTRA PORTAL.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MAY 27, 1929. AN EXTRA PORTAL.

The public .men of Inangahua and some of the leading spirits of North canterbury, are to he congratulated on the interest they are displaying in respect to the opening of the Lewis Pass route to provide an extra portal for travellers proceeding east or west across the Island, i he Lewis Pass route ,according to all reports, appears to be a practicable route, and it will be in the interests of the country at large to see it opened up. The

Soutti Island Juts been a very one-sided j territory lor many years. It was tne ' East Coast which settled and advanced mosu rapidly. The West Coast despite the lure of the gold, has not been j settled as it should. The yield of [ gold was the primary cause of the invasion, and that attended to, most of the lucky ones departed to other parts satisued with their treasure. This densely woooed -coast cut across so frequently by large ri.ers, impedeu general progress and prosperity, and the country lunquished tor. the lack of ready transport facilities. It will be remembered there was a large uphill fight to secure the East and West Coast railway. Slowly the lines moved towards the mountains, but there was barred, till Sir Joseph AVard had the courage in spite of much North Island opposition to accept a-tender for Arthur’s Pass tunnel. Finally, when the railway was an accomplished fact, we have seen how traffic' has grown and is growing, fully justifying the Government enterprise in building the railway. Traffic lias grown quite beyond expectations and beyond what the railway authorities planned. The Arthur’s Pass route is still the chief portal for the East and West traffic, and it has- the advantage of serving directly the main centres of population. » Looking to what has transpired 'by the provision of better facilities for travel, it is reasonable to expect .hat with the opening of the Lewis Pass route, that portal can be of great assistance in further helping the development of the Coast. ’lt will tap a new quarter of the district, and open tip fresh possibilities in a belt of mineral country. Extensive railway developments are proceeding apace in North West Coast, and in conjunction with those works, it is conceivable the Lewis Pass route could prove a feeder. In this expanding motor age, all tilings appear possible in the way of transport over long distances, and the new highway may be another link in the chain of connections gradually covering so many parts of the Coast ill need oi facilities for better transport conveniences. Many developments are possible with the opening of a wolldelined route as that under notice, and the arterial value of the road is so impressing the public, mind that its ultimate construction should be assured. The enterprise and enthusiasm shown by the northern residents of the Coast in the opening up of their territory, might well he, also, an example to the more southern residents to interest themselves in a promuiieed maimer in the large reading propositions of Soutli Westland, as well as in a road nearer home—that covering the proposed deviation of Hie road from AVaimalcariri to Hal pin Creek, whereby a difficult nor'ion of the rou'e oil t.h“ (■hristeliurrh rood n 1 av to avoided. This, if c-nslnicted. w u l,l !, e of immense value to motoring, and '■-"'iild be used for rend trio m»••'oses in „copii 'fl ton •> IHi tb' to’vp I’m-s route. The inri-ttoe for (be work iusi referred to, is in the mom with Canterbury motorists, hut neonlo of Central Westland cannot he indifferent to the material value of such a

raid to this district. Referring again to tue active prosecution of the Great ft..utli R ad indicated above, it would oo well wore there some live move luent made to dra*\ at.on.ion to tin-

~one, anil the necessity if pushing n •oil. it, too, will be a developmental road, destined at it s:s by tbe liaast fass t / Otago, and no greater undertaking for the assured progress and iiev lopment «.-f South \iestland can ■te count up la etl as being within tin bounds of reasonable reali ati n witli.n a set period. ' Tim roailing of the .ar Smith will be the chief me.'.ns oi ■ ringing that remote dis.riet into its