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Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1920, Page 2

With opportunity knocking at, the door I preparations should he made to throw it [ open wide so that prosperity may enter | without delay. This refers specially to the chance there is to take up the power question for the district. A movement is to be put afoot to establish an (Electric Power Board to undertake the? supply of power for the district and as far ahold as profitable business will result. Locally there is already in sight business to the value of £5,000 or £6,000 per annum—and this from, two concerns only. It is not too much to anticipate that almost from the outsea an annual income of something like £IO,OOO a year can be relied upon. This should encourage the present movement to advance rapidly, i To arouse interest and enthusiasm in the matter the Chamber of Commerce I ! could not do better than invite the members of the local bodies to make a personal visit to possible sources of power. There are two in this immediate neighbourhood. One. is the utilisation of Lake Kanieri to the fullest advantage, either b v tapping it at a. •lower level, or by arranging for the inflow of a steady supply of additional water. Tn the latter case the same water could he used twice over, for power purposes, which would be very effective as a secondary scheme to ensure stability. The second source of possiblo power is Toarolia. Both theso

locations might he visited and the fullest particulars gleaned so that. the Government could be asked to advise definitely as to the superior scheme for local development. If interest were aroused in this way there would be practical help secured in the direction of establishing a Westland Power Board, and that once secured the final accomplishment should come about automatically.

It is statel that during the last thir- ’ teen months, 1100 people visited Lake Kanieri. With improved road facili- j ties, and extending the means for walk- j ing tows about the lake country, in- j eluding a defined route for the climbing of Mount Tuhua, the number of annual j visitors could be doubled easily. With an attraction so close to town its attractive features should be brought more and more under public notice. Like Lake Maliinapua it is an asset of the town, for this is the centre whence it must be reached. Yet, in regard to the latter we find the local body deliberately blocking action to open a route ] to the lake. Presumably the Councilwould do the same in respect to Lake Kanieri if expenditure in that direction , were suggested. At- the same time the Council is composed of gentlemen who j from time to time talk about the de- ! velopment of the district, and the need , for attracting more people here. There : are districts in the Dominion which live almost entirely on the value of the tourist traffic brought to their doors j to inspect local sights, yet we venture to say not any of the places has two • such notable beauty spots as Lake Kanieri, and Lake Mnhinapua which have a distinctive charm of their own. The Council did not say in regard to Lake Maliinapua, it was . a case of n.s.f., but a legal bogey was .raised! When the Council so desires I that bogey can. be overcome very easily ; —yet legally. If the town wishes to advance it must be prepared to help itself to some extent. R cannot expect to lean on someone else all the i time. Tlie Borough Council might well review its attitude in matters of this kind—unless it desires to deal always with grass grown streets.