The Hokitika Guardian (And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, DECEMBER, 7, 1940 ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1940, Page 4

The Hokitika Guardian (And Evening Star, with, which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, DECEMBER, 7, 1940 ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT

While it is to bo regretted that the main arterial road into South Westland is to be suspended in the region of the Paringa-Blue River section, the matter of making better provision for access over the Maori Saddle from the Blue River to the Haast Valley, should have consideration as to the alternative of a dead-end road as now proposed. The Maori Saddle is not a difficult gradient, and there is a plateau on top with some miles of fairly level going. The track is a well made horse track, and a little widening would encourage wheel traffic to tap the Haast territory. The road, leaves the Thomas Range, towards the Flat at Copper Creek, and from thence to the sea beach where access could be improved easily, and truck traffic could develop for a start. The development following in the south as a result of the road constructed to the present stage, might well encourage the authorities to try this further experiment to reach the isolated settlements of the far south. The Government has standing camps already in the locality, and much plant which would be all the better for using. The men hitherto employed have been moved to othei works, and not dispensed with. 1 here can he no reduction in expenditure, rather an increase tor it costs money to shift the workmen and staffs about. The alternative of improving the existing horse track would not be an expensive undertaking, and would result, in work already completed being used to better advantage. A dead-end road, necessitating turning back and retracing the journey is never satistactory. It has not been in the case of 1 the glacier traffic, and it will be more

so now with a greater distance to cover. Those having a knowledge of the country and grades of the track over the Thomas Range, believe the Maori Saddle can ho negotiated quite as well as Mt. Hercules, Waikukupa hill, or any other of the low saddles, which have to he crossed on the through journey. If this estimate of the position is true to fact, then the alternative now suggested should he pressed for in the hope of seeing through traffic possible. Otherwise it will remain a long deferred project, and the full value of the present expenditure will not ho realised. In any case, there are the unemployed for whom work is being found all the time. A utility job as suggested, seems a reasonable proposition to take up, for it will supply a much needed connection with the most isolated part of Westland. This is a matter worthy of attention by tho authorities before it is too late through plant and equipment being sent away. Tt can be used to advantage on the work indicated, and for a valuable developmental purpose as indicated should find favour with those in authority.