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Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1930, Page 4

There is a growing public opinion in Canterbury that more attention should be given to the proposal mooted some time ago for the bridging of the AVainiakariri river, and opening by a delation route, a safer road to

Arthur’s Pass and the National Park, than now exists. “Westland people,, as we have urged -before, might well become interested in this project for it will lead to greatly improved road com-' munication with the West Coast. At present the east and west route is usable, but one of the hug boars of the trip is the Wajmakamn crossing, and Bruce’s Cropk and Paddy’s Rend beyqnd. The deviation ' suggested wdl avoid thi,s objectionable spetion, and givp a safer and greatly improved road, Just now, a very large sum is being spent in opening up Lewis Pas route further north, hut that line is subject to heavy snow falls in the winter period, and adverse weather conditions are now being experienced. The, Arthur’s Pass route is more free from such climatic interruptions. Just now while Lewis Pass route is interrupted, the Arthur’s Pass route is open ,and several motor cars have of late made the trip, and completed the journey in good time. The Arthur’s Pass route serves the greatest numbers in population, would be available always for through traffic should any mishap or break-down occur to the Arthu’s Pass tunnel. If there is a desire to place the unemployed on useful work, no better objective could be found than the road deviation mentioned above ,the carrying out of which would absorb considerable labour in the Waimakariri Valley in the far more congenial conditions than nr© prevailing at Lewis Pass. The Highways Board made a promise some little time ago, to survey the deviation route suggested, and this should be done immediately, as a preliminary, With the information available a conclusion, could be reached definitely regarding the route, and peeing the value of an aJLweathpp crossing in respect to the WnimflJcfiriH river ford, this decision should pot be delayed unduly, The Progress League might- well t.ake this : matter UP, and would no doubt receive Support from tile Automobile Association, Westland, too, could lend its aid in this matter, for the improved service road would be of special advantage to this part of the West Coast which has much in common with Canterbury,