THE SOUTH ROAD

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1936, Page 4

THE SOUTH ROAD

W £ STL AN D-OT AG 0 PROPOSAL. Further reference to the proposed highway joining Westland with Otago was made at the Westluncl County Council meeting yesterday when the County Clerk (Mr D. J. Evans) referred to a conversation he had had .with the P.W.D. engineers Engage l on the Milford track work, and they were very enthusiastic regarding the proposal. He was going to Wellington tliik week and would interview the authorities further in this connection. Some of the Ministers were converted to the idea,- including the Hon. P. Webb and the Hon. 11. Semple, and they would like to sec "the road go through. They realised the value of Jackson Ray, and it was only a matter of' Jime before a jetty was put down and a big millling concern commenced. Cr. J. Murdoch said what was wanted was a practic.,l road, pushed forward as far as possible. The road being .constructed in the south at present, he believed, was a wonderful mad, suitable for a city, but if it were continued, it would not get far before the available n'oney was, expended. Ho thought a- less expensive, but nevertheless, practical road 1 would take them further.

Mr Evans said they were getting the road ready -for the stream of tourist traffic which would undoubtedly follow.

Cr. N. H. Brown said in the not very distant future, the high of the road would be fully justified when the traffic increased. He referred to the route which would make up many miles of the finest scenery in New Zealand. He thought they should endeavour to haye the road put down via the Hollyford route, rather than the Haast Pass, although the latter would come in due course.

Cr. Murdoch questioned the policy of spending the money on a road in such a way as was being done at present. Would it not be better to get the road put through as economically ns possible, and effect improvements later. -The Chairman (Cr. J. v McKay) agreed with Cr. Brown that the present method would be justified, and' added the Council should go very cautiously in the matter. He did not think if wise to do the work by halves. It was the potential value of the rood from the tourist traffic viewpoint which influenced the Government.