HOKITIKA’S FUTURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1919, Page 2

HOKITIKA’S FUTURE.

A REMARKABLE PROSPECT. A CENTRE FOR AERIAL ACTIVITIES. The wonderful developments which have taken place in aerial overseas traffic render all things possible in the air. One of the certainties of the not distant future is an aerial mail and passenger service between Australia and New Zealand. This fact brings Hokitika at once into prominence because of its juxtaposition to tlie Australian coast, in the pre-cable days, when the news l from tlie outside world, had to be brought by steamer, the Australian mail boats anchored first in the Hokitika roadstead, where the tender boats met them and brought ashore the passen- i gers and mails. Then, from Hokitika, was telegraphed all over New Zealand the latest overseas news of the world. Time has again brought a new method foi swift transmission of mails and new s, and when the aerial service is established, Hokitika will be once again the first handy place of call and chief distributing centre. A glance at the map of Oceania shows how well Hokitika is placed as the landing stage for the air service on its arrival from Australia. The distance across the Tasman Sea is about 1,300 miles and this is not an unduly trying stage for aerial flights. In addition to its happily placed situation for the new era sendee. Hokitika and vicinity possesses certain physical, features which give it a special prominence for consiileration as the chief lauding centre for the overseas mail service., The Southern Alps overshadow Hokitika, while outstanding of all the giant peaks is Mount Cook, a prominent sign post for the bird-men making New Zealand when far out to sea. Nowadays, for shipping, the great mountain peak is often the principal sign post for boats crossing the Tasman Sea, particularly in thick Tteather when they have not be able to take the sun. The mountain stands out always, and can be seen far out to sea before tlie coast- line is distinguishable to indicate location. For the airmen, Mount Cook will be no less valuable as a sign placed there by nature itself to mark the aerial pathway to New Zealand. Snow-capped the mountain range will gleam out in, the night also, but as a sign for the nightfivers then are ample sources for hy-dro-electric power in the neighbourhood of Hokitika, which can be developed and harnessed, and send up into the heavens tlie strongest searchlights required. Tlie town and its vicinity thus presents remarkable physical features to pre-dispose the authorities towards selecting Hokitika as the chief aerodrome station of New Zealand.

As to an actual site for the great aerodrome station which would be required for a central service of the nature likely to be developed, nature has been again kind to Hokitika, and has endowed it with the Sea View plateau which could be made into an ideal landing and starting station for oversea flying. The table land referred to is of considerable extent on the northern boundary of the town, and goes back for some two or three miles in a di- -pw rect line. The plain is at an altitude which would be excellent for a starting station, and for landing it will not take a large sum to clear the scrub and pakihi land, and make it a level range of country. In these days of tractors ! and other mechanical aids to clearing, ! the work could be accomplished very quickly and an excellent station I grounds secured. It is worthy of mention as further commendations for this district, that Hokitika is very- free of either, land or sea fogs. The river basin is wide and open, and there are no gorges to concentrate land fogs. Sea fogs are quite a rarity of short duration and it | is questionable if they would envelope Sea View plateau in any case. Tlie atmosphere here is invariably crisp and clear, and a* good light prevails at all times of the day. This immunity from fogs and the uniform clearness of the atmosphere is another very comnrendI able factor adding to the fitness of the local site for the purpose referred tp. Here, then, is a simple and concrete scheme to supply a very necessary requirement for an indispeiisible service. Hokitika is in the minds of the authorities already as the most desirable spot for the purpose here outlined. In some reference to the matter of a transocean aerial mail service from Aus-

tralia, published a little time back, Hokitika or vicinity was mentioned as the local for the New Zealand landing service. The time is now opportune -to push the claims of the district in t-lie direction in which matters are trending already. The authorities are now going into the question, and the local representatives cannot do better than bestir themselves and as there will be a representative of the Government here immediately, stress the point before the Hon. gentleman so that the claims of the locality will have the fullest consideiation.

It seems certain that Hokitika is to become an important railway centre as -soon as the Ot-irn tunnel is an accomplished fact, and the possibility of it becoming, also, an aerodrome centre, will assist both objectives, as each will bo of particular service to the other. The outlook of the town and district, is therefore, a very cheerful one and as opportunity is thus knocking at tbo door, the people should combine and open wide tlic portal to let iu the good times to be associated with this new era. Certainly no time should he lost is calling the attention of flic authorities to the happy .situation of Hokitika in regard to the new service, R nd also to the physical features surrounding the place which give it- on unique standing to fulfil so admirably the destiny which seems to be approaching ifc - _______