THE HAAST PASS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22957, 12 August 1936, Page 10

THE HAAST PASS

CONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY EXPENDITURE OF £500,000 LINKING UP WESTLAND AND OTAGO (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 11. The expenditure of £500,000 is proposed by the Government for the construction of a highway over the Haast Pass connecting Westland with Otago and opening up what will unquestionably be one of the finest scenic drives in the world. Of this sum £250,000 has been voted for work on the road from Bruce Bay to the Haast River on the Westland side, and £250,000 to complete the road in Otago from the Haast River over the Haast Pass to Makarora, where it will join up with the existing highway. The estimates of tne cost include provision for the erection of bridges and the construction of a road to highway standard. At present 120 men are working on the road in South Westland, and it is proposed to place an additional 50 men on the job immediately. It is also proposed to place 150 men on the work on the Otago side. REALISATION OF A DREAM GRATIFICATION AT GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ROUTE TO BE TRAVERSED The announcement that the Government has decided to make available a sum of £500,000 for the linking up of Otago with the West Coast via the Haast Pass to the seaboard and north to the present terminus of the Main South road at Weheka, 107 miles from Hokitika, will have been received with lively satisfaction by local bodies and settlers on both sides of the divide which for so many years represented a gap in the road system encircling the South Island. Nearly a-quarter of a century’s constant agitation and propaganda has led to this welcome decision and there will be general gratification among a very considerable company of earnest public-spirited men who, in the face of a good deal of opposition, and not a little ridicule, have steadfastly looked forward to the day when a promise made by the late Mr Seddon on behalf of the Government would finally be implemented. A Daily Times reporter referred the matter last night to Mr G. J. Errington (president of the Otago Expansion League), and listened to a spirited congratulation of the Government for at last deciding a much-vexed question once and for all. Mr Errington said that since Its inception 25 years ago the league had consistently agitated for this western connection, being seized with its importance as a necessary link in communications from east to west, especially for the satisfactory handling of tourists. Its persistency in advocating the claims of this route, frequently against apathy and even opposition, and accusation of flogging a dead horse,” did not discourage, but acted as a spur to further efforts. “ The Government is to be congratulated on its evident wisdom and determination to take on the job and complete it,” said Mr Errington, "and the substantial vote is evidence of its sincerity. The league wishes to extend its thanks and congratulations to the Government and also thanks the Otago members of Parliament for actively assisting. the. league in its advocacy of this necessary work.” MAKARORA TO HAAST

The highway, as provided for by the grant that has now been made, will commence a few miles from Makarora and continue on over the Haast Pass to the sea coast at the mouth of the Haast River, where it will turn northwards to connect with the Mam South road that now ends at Weheka, but which is at present being continued for another 30 miles to Bruce Bay in terms of a previous vote. On the Otago side the Hawea-Makarora road is formed and metalled to a point 7 h miles on the Haast Pass side of Makarora. The unformed length from this point to the Haast Pass is 10 miles, and from the Haast Pass to the Main South road near the mouth of the Haast River 37 miles. This junction near the mouth of the Haast is 78 miles from Hawea and 112 miles from Cromwell. The elevation of the Haast Pass is 1847 feet. An approximate estimate for the construction of the unformed length of 47 miles between Makarora and the Haast, with 14 feet formation and including bridging, is £IBB,OOO. There are no large rivers to be bridged on this section.” THE WESTLAND SECTION On the Westland side the Main South road is open for motor traffic to Weheka (near the Fox Glacier), 107 miles south of Hokitika. The whole of this length of 107 miles is now a mam highway. The distance from Weheka to the Haast, allowing for deviations from the present pack track, would be approximately 90 miles, The total distance, therefore, between the present terminii of the road near Makarora (Otago) and Weheka is 137 miles. Immediately south of Weheka an 18foot road has been completed on a deviation for a distance of eight miles to the Oinatamatea Stream south of the Cook River, and work has already been commenced on the road to Bruce Bay. From the Oinetamatea Stream there is a narrow, formed, and metalled road to the Mahitahi, 23 miles distant. On this length the Karangarua River is unbridgcd, and also a number of smaller streams. A fairly extensive deviation of the road at the Karangarua has been surveyed to a selected bridge site near the foothills. From the Mahitahi to the Moeraki (or Blue) River, a distance of 19 miles, the foi’mation is through easy, undulating country—in fact, for a total distance of 50 miles from Weheka to the Moeraki River the road would run through practically flat country. Making due allowance, /however, for the bridging of the numerous streams and for the larger rivers—i.e., the Fox, Cook, Karangarua. Mahitahi. Parinca Moeraki, and the Haast. and also taking into consideration the cosl of bushfalling and clearing, heavy rainfall, and the isolated nature of a large oart of the work. I am of the opinion that at least £4250 per mile should be allowed for the construction throughout and the total annroximatc cost will therefore be:—l37 miles at £4250. £582.250. This should allow for 18foot formation over at least half the distance through level and easy undulating country, and for a reduced width on the hilly and more difficult rock sections. THE FAR SOUTH

In the far south area, Haast-Jackson Bay. there are about 210,000 acres of occupied lands (including runs), and the capital value of the rated lands is about £33,000. As the main highway forges south, this great area will appreciate in value and interest, and absorb more and more population. As most are aware there is a vast store of timber lands from Cook River south to the extreme end of Westland County, and in the course of time the needs of the Dominion and overseas will levy on the southern district. Great industrial development is inevitable. and the better the access the quicker will come the general improvement of the southern district. In the main, it is a vast Crown estate, chiefly leasehold or Crown lands, with but a minimum of freehold in relation to the whole. In the circumstances the forging of permanent access south is improving the value of the Crown estate and adding to (he national wealth. The district is one offering great scope for employment as the road is pushed south, and must play no small part in the future of the country as a whole.