LEWIS PASS ROAD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22167, 22 July 1935, Page 11

LEWIS PASS ROAD

new highway in south PROGRESS OF CONSTRUCTION One hundred and fifty men are now at Avork on the construction of the Lewis Pass Road, from Canterbury to Westland, which is being carried out as a standard Public Works job, and, if the existing rate of progress is maintained, this new highway should be open for traffic in about three years' time, states the Star-Sun, Christchurch. Work is being concentrated near the Hope River Bridge site, about 20 miles from the Waiau River Bridge, where the road branches off from the highway to Hanmer. A light coating of metal has been applied over practically the whole of the road up to the bridge site, and it is in a reasonable state for traffic, which has become fairly heavy since the construction work was resinned recently.

Of the men employed, 68 are married and 82 single, and it is hoped to increase the total to at least 200 at an early date. Practically all are working on co-operative contracts, the rate being fixed so that a married man who is an average worker can earn 10s 6d a day, and a single man 8s 4d a day. The men are allowed to work six days a week, but their time is liable to be broken by bad weather.

Two camps have been established, one for the single men, about three miles above the Hope River Bridge site, and the other for the married men a little further along the route. The single men obtain their food from a cookhouse, and are charged lGs a week, but the married men are required to provide thoir own food.