The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1940. THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1940, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY 21, 1940. THE SOUTHERN GATEWAY.

The event at Karangarua to-morrow ceiliirms tne importance the seuthein gateway wnl prove wnen linaily opened rignt through to; tne a>»jlining provinces., ,'iue section being uea.lt with is about 40' miles in length, anu supplies a high cnass road to the important centre at Bruce Bay, at which stage further -developments of importance are contemplated to add to the interest of that district of natural wealth. The new road which * tin Government is constructing, must - • most acceptable the residents, and to all using it. The Minister in charge .of the Department responsible for the work has not spared anything in providing the best type of enduring bridge over the many rivers, ancl in having a road built safe and comfortable for all classes of traffic. Apart from the sections of road further south, and in the Otago, ana Southland districts, destined to link up with Westland’s great suulh road, the section now being opened will serve a very .important area most effectively. The community owes mr Semple most grateful thanks for the policy which has given the district so fine and lasting an asset. Yesterday, reference was made in this column to the early pioneers’ difficulties for the want of adequate raiding, and it can be realised, had they lived in this generation, how they would have appreciated the conveniences now possible. Westland over the years has been hampered by its isolation, caused through the difficulties of readily penetrating to remote places, and overcoming the bridging problems. But now, the problem has been solved in the region of action to-morrow, and the fillip this is giving the district is noticeable already. Yet other parts of New Zealand more open and so easily accessible, have been able to lay strong claims on the authorities for attention. Our physical features have added to the cost and work of development, and retarded general progress. The enterprise of the settlers all down the south road is meeting with a good reward. Where access has been available, settlement has flourished, and;, production and industry have had marked success. The quality of the land is reflected in the stock and produce sent out, and below the settled parts referred to, there is an extensive area of country waiting for similar treatment as the country is opened up. The road itself will tap new markets, and the more distant settlers will have a choice of markets in due course in Otago and Southland, in addition to Westland. That competition will be helpful, and be of value to the settlers. It. is many years since hotter access was asked for. Time was when there was the prospect of an iron girdle round the South Island. In the days of Vogel and big werks. he had a Minister, Mncandrew. who had some knowledge of the south, and spoke of a railway to tap its treasures. Later. Mr Seddon had the same idea, and bad intended to make M°oandrow’s dream, Redden’s reality—but Mr Seddon passed on well over 30 years ago. and till lately much remained to be done for the Far South,

Mr Semple lnul the inclination, and tin. energy to speed up the roading scheme and for over throe and a-liult years, it has gone on.at a very creditable speed. Yet even with so much done, there is still much to do. But in what has been done there is the augury that the work in ‘due season ~'iJl go on to iinal completion, For what has been done, thanks., and thanks again, and for the attention to come we must'hope for the best with the promise of unbounded thanks when it is all accomplished and justice done to Westland.