PRAISE FOR NEW ROAD

Southland Times, Issue 23774, 23 March 1939, Page 6

PRAISE FOR NEW ROAD

HOLLYFORD VALLEY ROUTE INSPECTION BY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS “This will undoubtedly become one of the most beautiful scenic roads in New Zealand and it should be a great attraction for tourists when it is completed,” said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) yesterday, after an inspection of the road leading down the Hollyford Valley from the Marion camp on the road to the Homer Tunnel. The new road will eventually reach Jacksons Bay and provide a direct link for traffic between Southland and the West Coast.

The road has been completed for a distance of four miles from the Marion camp and already it is apparent that it will open up scenery rivalling that to be seen on the road to the tunnel. For the first few miles it follows the course of the Hollyford river, later skirting Lake McKerrow and joining the valley of the Pike river. The task of constructing the road is similar to that on other new highways in the sounds region. Some portions of the road can be completed rapidly, while others require the removal of outcrops of rock, the bridging of tributary creeks and extensive filling. A big number of men is engaged on the road, having been transferred after finishing work on the Milford Sound highway. Progress has been satisfactory and the Minister complimented the men yesterday on the good work they were doing. Mr Semple was accompanied on his visit by the chief engineer of the Public Works Department (Mr J. Wood), the district engineer for Otago (Mr P. Keller) and the resident engineer (Mr D. U. White). After travelling by motor-car as far as practicable, the Minister proceeded on foot for about a quarter of a mile further, where even better scenery is to be seen. The Hollyford Valley being sheltered from strong winds, the bush is very beautiful and alongside the road runs the Hollyford river, one of the most attractive mountain rivers in the South Island. “The work that is in progress in the South Island in the construction of scenic roads should result in greatly increased tourist traffic to this part of the Dominion,” said the Minister. “I know of no scenery which is more attractive than that on this new Hollyford Valley toad. It will be possible when the road is completed for a complete circuit to be made of the South Island by road and it will also serve a very useful purpose in giving a direct contact between Southland and Westland provinces. With the completion of these roads, the South Island should prepare for a great improvement in tourist traffic.”