The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY,, MAY 18, 1940. MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY,, MAY 18, 1940. MINISTERIAL VISIT.

It is to be regretted that the Hon. W. E. Parry is not able to be present at next week’s functions in South Westland. As Minister in Charge or the Centennial Celebrations, it was hoped he would have been at Okarito, but departmental duties detain him at Auckland. In the person of the Hon. R, Semple there is a wellknown figure to represent the Government and he will officiate in the absence of his colleague. At the Karangarua function, Mr Semple will be on familiar ground. The progress with the great south road can be attributed to his great driving force, and the fact that on the Westland side so many miles of high standard road are to be opened is something the community can be grateful for. Nor does that section exhaust the story. The Otago section to the Haast Pass is likewise practically completed, and the link between is being forged steadily. Again there is the important connection between the IJuast and Jackson Bay, as well as the worK •going ahead from the Eggleton Valley towards Lake McKinnon, for the Southland link. All these extensive works were focussed on by Mr Semple only some four years ago, and there is much to show in the work achieved. Not only is there distance, lmt also quality. The best material has been put in the bridges—which are a permanent feature. Some of the bridges are outstanding because of their design, and the manner in which they fit into the surrounding landscape. Naturally the bridges are of the greatest service for traffic, and in themselves, transform the whole aspect, for travellers. The southern residents accustomed to cross the various streams on route, will have lively re-

collections of their experiences, but all anxiety is now removed, and in’ the completed road the dangers of the past have gone. This safety for traffic is the substance of the whole reading scheme and the boon and blessing it is to regular moving; settlers can hardly be realised by the average townsman. Yet, it is a great and lasting gift to Westland, and the people in the years to come who will think back will realise what had to be endured for the past three and a half decades. the toad in width, grade and surface, is in’ keeping with the bridging standard —first class. Most sincere thanks can therefore be tendered the Minister of Public Works for the celerity with which the works nave gone forward, and the great service ,now rendered to the travelling public. It is to he regretted that the war has intervened, ibut the situation so far as the more active prosecution of the road works is concerned, must be accepted as inevitable in important has to he attended to on important has to be attended to an the other side of the world, and all must sacrifice something. to that end. None the less, the Government has shown its bona tides in the matter of back-block reading in this district, and placed the community under a debt of gratitude difficult to discharge amply. A great area of our hinterland -is being brought into profit, and great things are possible. A new district is being added to, and the possibilities of settlement and industrial activities are very great. New enterprises will be opened up, and & great Dominion industry is he'ng spoken of at the present to open up •in the far south. All tilings are possible when the through (intercourse with Otago and Southland is aclr'eved, and in that day the southern arterial road will not only justify itself, but he a material feeder to the general prosperity of New Zealand, in the stream of traffic.to be brought this 5 way.