Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 6th, 1920. WEALTH IN THE BUSH.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star THURSDAY, MAY 6th, 1920. WEALTH IN THE BUSH.

Westland ulossomed into a province going on for sixty years ago, ' entirely because of the treasure which lies btnoiv.

It was t;lif; gold magnet which first ufew population here, and led up to the permanent settlement of the place. Laptain Ellis just appointed, to the control of the N.Z. Forestry Department, w)<9 >yas hero yesterday, tells us we have untold wealth in the Bush on the surface, and that it will 'bp from Westland that in a short time to como tlie Dopiiniop will draw its millions of feet of tiinber pecessayy tp carry on its certain expansion, The demand' cap newer be a dipiipjslung (quantity for the reason, first, that flip timber resources in other parts are being cut out, and Westland remains the last storehouse of forest country; and in the second place because tile population of New Zealand will grow, and there will b e an increasing demand for more and more supplies for bousing, for industry, and for all forms of settlement which must surely spread its prospering wings across the land as settlement increases. Also, thei'jC is ,the fact to be borne in mind that other .upjb'er-,bearing tountrjes are being short of .tlppr 'great' natural crop, and will pot have "a jmr'pJpj .to export ag ip the past, and instead jyi|l themselves be exporters, looking f,dy timber wherever their ships cap pick it up in all quarters of the world, Mr Ellis is brimful of his subject, and pomes here full of enthusiasm and keen about the possibilities ahead. He regards Westland as the main storehouse whence the supplies of the Dominion are to be drawn, and he feels sure that the wealth to be go 1; tpff/tt. the bush, the industry created, and .the eopj/Jiyrcial in tercourse which will be established, .wjll carry in its train such a degree of prosperity that the golden age which gave this part of the Dominion its start in provincial life will be eclipsed in value and (pupgriaijce and in establishing a certainty of settlement and industry with coincident popu-lati.y.n, .ihflp there is a great future assured to the .whole stretch of the foyesfdad Coast. Mr Ellis comes to this country pot only with very high credentials so far ps the scientific side of forestry is conoer%. ed but also in regard to tin* practical working of what he terms the “lumber - '' trade. Mr Ellis has gained his experience in Canada, the United States, in France, .and ju Scotland, and is ns familiar ivi,th the ,\vorfcing of a. large sawmilling business, a.s be is with the science of forestry itself. Ifr Ellis it appears can claim if, be a practical man and with this

asset behind him no doubt a good deal of credence v.’jjl be founded in the policy lie will recommend to (bile Government. In the working out of that policy Westland necessarily will be a central pari for here is the opening for organisation and conservation and ultimately reafforestation. The proper utilisation of the standing Imsh will be the first considers* tion and afterwards will come the task of seeking to replenish it so that posterity will not he timberless. la this great service the community will welcome practical action and hand in hand with the milling of the timber should go the settlement of the land so that where railways nr.e made there will still ho feeders to the traffic in the pastoral or dairying pursuits which will bo established. With this in view it is possible to forsee the rapid extension of the railway into South Westland for this work cannot be ignored if our vast stores of timber are to be economically attacked.