hokitika Guardian & Evening star WEDNESDAY JANUARY, 2nd, 1918 WESTLAND’S NEW YEAR.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1918, Page 2

hokitika Guardian & Evening star WEDNESDAY JANUARY, 2nd, 1918 WESTLAND’S NEW YEAR.

Lkttixc the dead past inter itself in the memory of men for useful reference and guidance as to the future, we may loo], lor ward to that future with confidence much above the average. The developmeat of Westland is proceeding now by that steady process which assures established success. Th e fifty years and more which have gone by have served to open up the country and disclose it? possibilities. The latter are capable ol great utility, and the changing times are bringing these the quicker into use--1 illness. The old order i s changing, in th« t Westland does not reply now solely on mining, rt is an adjunct to oui tut ure prosperity certainly, and has been the keynote to the developing process hitherto worked out. Indeed, tht real mineral wealth and great natura possibilities of Westland are still unre vealed at their true value. Nature has stored up here great treasure which time, -enterprise and capital can alom dispense. There must then he no loss of faith in the future of the expansion of mining and the application of industry- to disclose the latest wealth of tht district. But the New Year now entered upon gives hope of material advancement more immediate than th £ tardy evolution of our mining possibilities. There are two essential things to happen in Westland which are going to play a material part in the activities oi the near future- The first is the bridging ol the Mikonui river, a work wbicb should be accomplished in the I early hall ol the year. Those who know South Westland realise its potcntial- , hies. The district is hampered hv the difficulties of communication. Its rej sidential population are industrially bnsv and prosperous, ft is a territory nhva'ps producing something adding to the general wealth. Hitherto it has been cut oil and handicapped by its isolation. The bridging of the river refori<d to reduces the handicap and brings the country closer to the. more populous centres. South Westland has nn assured future which will be enhanced and made more, plain by the easier means of locomotion. The past year has seen uniform progress in the south, the year just entered upon will witness marked progress indeed. The bridging ol the. river is going to have a great fillip to the sawmilling industry. It. is becoming more and more plain that the tracts of timber country in the south district are growing more . valuable as time goes l»y. The industrial development in regard to sawmilling which has taken place between Hokitika and 110s s by reason of the railway communication will be repeated in an added volume by the railway as -solemnly promised to Westland. But where a crass Government failed in its duty to the Dominion, private enterprise was on iy to ° ready to step in, and will reap the harvest of the great reward. Industrially. Westland will witnes s a great expansion in the south—that promising, profitable territory which is the dieet anchor of Westland’s future prosperity. I lie second essential event- to >lay a material part in the future of Westland, and incidentally the West oast as a. whole, is the piercing of the >tira: tunnel. At the time of writing' here are something like twenty-eight ■hains remaining before the headings neet. This important union is to be onsummatod about August next, and he event will mark the dawn of a new ra. 'Fhe linking of th e line will take ome time longer, hut the major work ml difficulty being disposed of, the lovernment if alive to the business side f the undertaking, will concentrate itli all possible speed on the final comlote pise of the Inter-Island connection, he fact that this accomplishment is in ght. will in itself have a magical ef- <•! on the district, and the people alike ■ will lead to the promotion of marked dustrin) development with those •odnets for which there is t>r an outside market. Basra! pursuits will take on a more able and certain value when the disicf. is in direct rail touch with refrirators and cool storage. There need no limit, then, to the output of those mmodities which will always oomind a market. The assurance of this ’t "ill help to build up population—e essential aid to material and lastt development. Our own town will pome a centre of greater activity end

mor# As the headquarters of the main Westland railway service it will take an improved standing. Diroctly in touch with the more prosperous south, its importance will bo on- i ha need still more. All these advantages 1918 is to lay the foundation for. Tlie New Year can be welcomed, therefore, for local considerations, and if with other benefits it should usher in above all the peace long aimed at, it will bo indeed a year of great memories, in the enjoyment of which wo may long revel in.