SOUTH WESTLAND.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1847, 5 September 1913, Page 3

SOUTH WESTLAND.

ITS PICTURESQUE SIDE. Some, admirable lantern slides depicting tho semi-tropical vegetation, tho glaciers, the valleys and plains of South Westland wore shown at the Sydney Street Schoolroom on Wednesday night, when Mr. Grimmond gave a lecture on "Picturesque South Westland." Mr. Grimmond attended in tho same room a fortnight ago as a county chairman, a position which ho oceupicd 35 years ago. Ho is chairman of tho Jubilee Committoo of tho West Coast, which is to bo held in January. Mr. Grimmond lai ded in Victoria in 1857, and after spending some time on tho Victorian goldlields ho went to Gabriel's Gully, removing to Dunstan in 1862, and three years later going to tho West Coast, where he had remained, with tho exception of tours abroad, including a trip to Alaska. Mr. Grimmond had given addresses at both the Gabriel's Gully and tho Dunstan jubilees. Mr. Grimmond's lecture covered the land south of Hokitika, which included somo of the finest touring country in New Zealand, the principal drawback being the usual difficulty of want of access, the potentialities of tho district not being sufficiently well known. Mr. Grimmond was also a member of the House of Representatives between 1887 and IS9I, being member for Westland, whilst Mr. Seddon was member for Kumara. When both districts were combined Mr. Grimmond contested tho seat against Mr. Seddon in 1891 r.nd 1895, but was unsuccessful on both occasions. Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P., presided, in tho absence of Mr. Martin Kennedy, and in introducing the lecturer announced 'that the expenses were being paid by tho West Coast Association, whilst' the profits would bo devoted to the Hokitika jubilee. , Mr. Grimmond then delivered his lecture; which was illustrated by films taken by Dr. .Teic'hclniann and shown byhim before tho Royal Geographical Society in London. They represent scenes at Hokitika, Lako Kanieri, Lake Mahinapua, and down to South Westland by the main south road, showing en route Lako lanthe, beautiful forest scenery along Lako Mapourika, the Franz Josef Glacier, tho accommodation houses along the flats of Wailco, and on to the glacier itself. From tho snout of tho glacier to ■ tho Fitzgerald Pass scenes woro shown, with Mount Delabcche, Mount Elis do Beaumont, Mount Sefton, and Mount Cook, and with tho great icefields about t'licni. Other pictures depicted the Tasman Glacier and .the Hermitage, whilst a kinematograph film showed how the tourists go by train and coach from Canterbury to Westland. Mr. Grimmond expressed tho belief that this district would be a valuable asset to tho Dominion when it was properly developed, and that it would in tho near future be tho home of a largo number of people. Ho mentioned that from January, 1857, to December, 1911, tho gold output from tile West Coast had been no less than' 5,690,216 ounces, valued at £22,621,813. They wero holding their jubiloo next January, and ho had had letters promising support and attendance from all parts, whilst the Government was giving £300, and a subsidy of pound for pound, with ail additional £200 for tho erection of a memorial to commemorate tho pioneers who nad died. In conclusion, Sir. Grimmond said ho had no fear but that New Zealand would long bo tho power of tho Pacific and tho Britain of t'lio south. Mr. Macdo'iald, of tho Wellington Mu.seum, manipulated tho lantern, and also showed a number of,kinematogranh films of tho mail coaches fording the Waimakau'River, the falls and cascades at tho 'head of George Sound, Mitro Peak, and Milford Sound, Stirling Falls, and Bowen Falls, all of which wero taken by himself, add were greatly appreciated. .