The Guardian And Evening Star, With which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1935. AN IMPORTANT MISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, With which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1935. AN IMPORTANT MISSION

The Member for Westland, Mr J. » O’Brien, w,ho lia s gone to Wellington on an important mission in connection with the annual public works estimates, intends, we understand, to make a special point in urging the extension of the main south road. The work is f of high importance to Westland, for the more the southern district is opened up and closer settled, the greater will he the benefit to the province as a whole as the southern part is definitely linked for access and trade with the nortliPm .tortion, To: ensure a fuller knowledge of the present situation, Mr O'Brien visited the south quite recently, and was greatly struck with the signs of progress resulting from the industrial activity at Bruce Bay. Another..community is being established there,, and private enterprise is spending several thousand pounds in placing ami equipping a milling plant which will la* capable of a large annual output. This industry naturally enlivens ■ the locality hitherto mainly concerned in producing stock. Owing to tint jsolßtimi by distance and lack of roads and bridges, the settlers’ produce has had to consist mainly of stock capable of walking out to a market, as transport facilities by any speedier method is almost entirely out, of the question. While in the locality Mr O’Brien looked into the available dairying land, and was satisfied that about Jacobs river there is an area larger than (he Ara,hura where dairying has prospered for years, But assured access is essential, and the bridging of the Fox and Took fivers is the first instalment 1 ;

necessary. Between the Karangarua. and Maintain rivers, where dairying could be established, a couple of small bridges are required, and it provided there would he a stretch ot twenty miles of road which could be Jinked up without flood interruption. This does not mean a. large outlay, and to help isolated settlers who have held on over the years, it would be an act of grace to make provision for the bridges as soon as possible. There is now a more definite move to attract tourist traffic to the South Island, and much expenditure is spoken of to advertise features, in the southern half of New Zealand which would appeal to touring traveilers. One of the greatest trips possible would he the round trip via the Hermitage' and Copland Pass to southern Westland. Tt is in respect to this unique journey, embracing all the scenic and mountain features a world traveller could desire, that the bridging of the Fox and Cook rivers would play a special part. Facilities to cover the road route would shorten time and fatigue, and leave a clear day or two to cross the Alps by an easy pass with remarkable features such as hot springs and mountaineering climbs, which will he of special interest to visitors. The times are perhaps difficult, hut money is being found in various directions for major works, yet in the proposals to extend the south road further into the Crown estate, assist the issolated settlors, and open a new and more novel tourist route, there is scope far an expenditure which would assure a quick return for the outlay, and provide the Dominion with an enhanced play ground whence to attract the growing stream of oversea visitors.