SOOTH WESTLAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1774, 12 June 1913, Page 6

SOOTH WESTLAND.

THE STRAITS OF SETTLERS,

MINISTER'S OFFER

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Hokitika, June 11. At a meeting of the AVestland County Council yesterday tlio question of a South AA'estland'steam serrvice was discussed al some length. Mr. J. Griminond (chairman), who has just returned from a trip through the southern district, stated that, owing to tho lack of facilities for the settlors to obtain their provisions, l they would cither liavo to clear out from tho district or starve. It was an extraordinary state of affairs, and lie declared that it was about three months since a vessel had landed goods at Jackson's Bay. Even when commodities were landed at that point, it was necessary for the residents to convey them across two rivers, while other ditliculties had to be contended against. Ho felt sure that tho Government could not realise tho seriousness of the position, as, in a great many cases, the settlers had run out of provisions, those living at Okura and Turnbull settlements especially being in n very bad way. Mr. Ferguson, who represents the south on tlio County Council, sa'id that matters in South Wcstlnnd were becoming alarming. It was not that the Government did not know of the existing state of affairs, as lie had told more than one of tho Ministers of tlio present Cabinet *of tho circumstances. Tho Government had dispensed with the of the harbourmaster at Okarito. AY hen it was remembered that tho settlers had slaved for years in hewing out their homes, it was not rieht treatment. The roads were in a dilapidated condition. It was very hard and unjust tliat such a state of things should bo Allowed to continue, and he heartily endorsed tho references of the chairman. Something should be done to accommodate tho people in their present disadvantages. • . The Government was communicated with to-day, and the Hon. F. M. B.Fisher replied at onco offering to subsidise one trip of 01 boat to the extent of .£SO. A meeting of a company interested in tho purchase of a small steamer to work the South Westland trade was held this evening, when several offers of boats wero under consideration. The formation of this shipping company is the outcome of the Minister of Marine's reply to a local deputation's request for a subsidy to the effect that the Government was prepared to help those who helned themselves. Tho company has a subscribed capital of threo thousand pounds, and have made arrangements for the immediate| inspection of an auxiliary steamer, and it is hoped that this boat will be available at once for the southern trade, and will serve the purpose until a boat of special design for nso in and out of bar harbours is built.