WATAROA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1948, Page 2

WATAROA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) WATAROA., March 31. The holidays saw both an exodus and an influx of people in the case of South Westland. Many residents went to northern centres to spend the- vacation, while the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers were the rendezvous for a large gathering of tourists. Prior to the holidays, Holy Week observances took the form of Stations of the Cross at the Wataroa Catholic Church. Weheka had a very successful dance on Saturday night. Mr and Airs Jamieson, prior to leaving the district were tendered a social and presentation by residents at the Sawmill Halt, visitors from Christchurch and local surrounding districts being among those present. The guests were presented by Mr D. Gyles with a well filled envelope. He spoke of the high esteem in which they arc held in the district. Messrs .'Adamson, Nolan, Clark and Rockford supplied music for dancing. Mr and Mrs Cliff Routhan won a Monte Carlo. Mr K, Mcßride had charge of the floor. Mr and Mrs Jamieson are moving to Harihari to take over the motor garage of Messrs Ford and Walls. l\Tr Jamieson, being a first class work-man..should be successful in his new undertaking. It is said that up on the Five Mile Beach on the nearby seashore, good gold is now showing. If such is the case, it only needs that the beach should cut, for seekers of the precious metal to be rewarded. If the season continues, with none too early frosts, the new local football .ground, which has been sown down and fertilised, should be ready for play during the coming season. Visitors here at present include Mr and Mrs Goddard, of Christchurch. The steady growth of road traffic especially in the tourist periods when delays are specially troublesome, points to the necessity of bettering the surface of the highway in Soutii Westland. It should, at least as far as the Glaciers, be tar-sealed. Rain, which, hereabouts, is apt to be heavy, scours the gravel surface seriously, and this in turn makes traffic more risky and unpleasant. It is quite time the road was tarred to a degree that would not only improve the surface but keep out the water and avert repeated damage.