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Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 4

The information afforded in this issue or the public works contemplated.or in ..and in South Westland, should be pleasing news to all concerned in the general progress of the district. The fact that so many bridges are in hand has been commented on favourably on former occasions, but it is very gratifying to find that the works are to be completed definitely, not at a remote date, but in the very near future. Practically by Christmas all' major streams to Waiho Gorge will be bridged, and by Easter at the latest, all the streams as far as Weheka will also be bridged. This is something which has been looked forward to with pleasurable- .anticipation for long past, • and - it is pleasing to know the hopes are about to be collided. No little credit must be.given to the officers of the Public Works Department, who since the instructions, were given have progressed with the various works as rapidly as possible, this notwithstanding the special demands on the Department through, the large amount of extra work resulting from, the earthquake visitation in the north. The local body lias not been 1 unwatcliful in the interim, while Mr O’Brien has responded to every rer. quest made to him to urge the matter on the attention of the Government. Of special interest to the future of Westland is the decision to appropriate £SOOO for the Great South Road. At present the road' ends at Weheka, but provision is being made to carry the road further south'. Like most of the territory on the southern route, there are numerous river crossings, but in these days when motor, transport prevails, it to provide the bridges as the road progresses, or the limit of traffic will be the first stream crossing. Between Weheka and Bruce Bay there are some formidable crossings for motor trafficto he dealt with, including the Fox. took, Karangarua and Jacob’s rivers, to say nothing of minor streams which must be bridged also to ensure motor traffic. To tat) a remote locality .such; as Bruce Bay, motor 7 transport - will alone he satisfactory, and for that purpose a good road bridged.to all requirements, is necessary. This is the work contemplated under the scheme whirii the ‘‘Guardian” has advocated so vigorously in the past, and the realisation of that scheme by the commencement now about to be made, is to ns in particular, a very great pleasure. The prosecution of the work should give -the settlers every hope in the future of their district. Bv means-of. motor transit they are brought . very much nearer to the centres and tlmj markets. Their production might well '■>e increased for there will be a better outlet for their stork, and more demand for it. Just as their northern neighbours have flourished considerably, so they, too, may participate in the advantag° of more and better facilities for trading and marketings