THE WEST COAST.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1917, Page 1

THE WEST COAST.

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK. VIEWS OF BISHOP JUIJUS. (Lyttelton Times.) Some interesting remarks regarding the progress, both general and ecclesiastical, of tlie West- Coast portion oi his diocese, were made by Bishop Julius in the course of an interview. Bishop Julius has just returned, from his annual visit to the Coast. His Lordship visited the South Westland portion of the diocese first, and found that part of the count r y developing extremely well. The dairying industry in particular was going forward, the chief difficulty at present being apparently the want ot men. At Hari Hari and Watapoa, in particular, dairying was proceeding extremely well. The next stage xif the tour was the Waiho Glacier. “ Here,” said Bishop Julius, “ I held confirmations and baptisms, and candidates came on horseback from forty miles to the south. One plucky old Maori woman, the mother of nine children, and her husband, brought a four months’ old infant with them from 'a distance of -forty miles.” Next morning his Lordship celebrated Holy Communion, and there was a wonderful attendance from all parts. “There is very little gold mining in this district now,” Bishop Julius continued. “ The place also wants developing from the tourists’ point of view. The hot springs, a very notable feature ol the place, are liearlv choked up, and tearfully dirty. In fact, they are left entirely to the tender mercies of tlietourist. I think that if a . charge were made, and "the place were under the care of the hotelkeeper, or some other person, there would be a vast improvement. Before long, motor-cars will be running down there quite freely. At least two more bridges are required, but,. t,he , road is, generally, quite excellent. “ I found Ross, as usual, full of hope,” continued his Lordship. “ They told me that there was a good reef in prospect, which was j assured to lie a straight-going con- j cern. Also, I tound that lime- j kilns were about to be established —there is limestone in plenty—while a large sawmilling companyhas also started work-. Ross may be better still if it is allowed to develop without too man y wild-cat schemes.” Bishop Julius .found Hokitika also hopeful, relying mainly for its progress on what is locally known as the “ Hole in the Hill.” “ That I- might explain, is tlie tunnel,”said his Lordship with a smile. “For some reasons, not understood, of course, by strangers, it is said to be going to bring prosperity that way ■ The said hole, I might add, is expected to connect its ends by Easter next, though it will probably be another year and rT hall before it is lined and pitted.’ The only place Bishop Julius found without hope was Kumara. It had, he said, made a gallant struggle for existence, but ther-e was nothing left on which it could build its hopes, and its population and institutions were rapidly disappearing. “ Even its hotels,” added the Bishop, with a smile. Qll the whole, Bishop Julius was well pleased with the progress made, especially in the south-. “ I would like to point out,” he said, “how from the-beginning, in the ' days jy — mammmmmmmmmmmsnMwnana