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Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1936, Page 4

The movement by the Vincent County Council to support the Haast ' Pass roulle, and convene a ccnfertrite of local body ropresenatives to that end is a step in the right direction. Vincent Cour.ty, which hrs its headquarters at Cromwell, is the principal county affected in Otago, while Lake County Council, is the principal division 'affected in Southland. The road now being constructed to Milford Sound passes through Laky County. Other county areas in Otago abutting Vincent, are Maniatoto and Tuapeka, and will be affected by the: through traffic from the Haast. These four local bodies supporting the direct route to Westland should be very useful, and add definitely to the force behind the desire to see the work put through. The assistance from the Otago bodies would be useful in advocating the road connection between Makarora road-end in Otago and the Haast Settlement. Time is an important factor in this work, and if the construction is pushed on simultaneously from both ends, the final linking will be the speedier consummated. There are about 47 miles I to construct to link Otago and Westland, and the estimated cost by the Public Works officer for a 10 feet road, including bridges was £IBB,OOO. The importance, of this section is the help it would be to the. far south settlement in improving marketing conditions, and opening up the country. The considerable tract of court-: try between liaast and Jackson Bay would be brought more to public notice, and were the proposal to construct a jetty at the Bay carried out, the early commencement of milling in that largp bush area would be possible thus establishing an. important iiulus-

try in the district. The discussion is evidence of the advance, made wtWi this important project for the prosperity •of the southern district. At the same ,time there is also the suggestion of’a rival route to link Haast with Milford Sound. The route 'has been reported on as feasible and would open up an unusual touiist route. Naturally the subject is sure to be investigated closely. This alternative route would link -up with Eglinton Valley via the Hollyford.