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Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1920, Page 2

The particulars given in this paper this week of the important mining enterprise now taking shape at South Hokitika is verv tangible evidence of the attention Westland is receiving and will receive in the near future at the hands of the moneyed man. For a long time Westland has been without the pale, and wo have considered ourselves isolated and

overlooked. But all the time our national wealth in the resources nature lias endowed us with, has not been wasting. In forest and plain, in valley and in the bowels of the earth our timber and minerals have but united for the magic touch of capital to convert stored up wealth into sterling value. This is now coming to pass, and in a few months when we shall he linked up with the other side of.the Island, and with the delivery of the spade and the swing of the axe our treasures will be revealed, we shall bo losing our claim to being the Cinderella Province of New Zealand. Like the unthought of and discarded i member of the family in the fairy story, we shall have found our Prince Charming who will take us into bis possessions and Westland will live happy ever after. Capital is the Prince Charming who is here now, and with reinforce* I merits to follow, to take possession of tho natural treasures. We .have waited ' lng for this auspicious development peI riod. There will be no occasion to be- ' grudge the profit which will fall to the enterprises which are going to set all the good times in motion. Tho opportunij ties to realise on our- resources have been | here all the time-but they have not been availed of. To those who venture is the chance to win, and never venture never win. The enterprising speculator who comes from afar and judges our field fair enough to venture into, we should all wish good luck to. A large enterprise such as that sihnping at Riniu Flat is an undertaking which could be attempted only by men of means. That we have these large undertakings under way is confirmation of our own belief in the future of Westland under intensive development. What lias been urged in the past as to the possibilites' of auriferous gold mining, will now be fully tested. Over a long term of years we have had faith in the Rim.ii Flat project. Away back nearly three decades ago we were advocaitng the working of the Flat by means of hydraulic sluicing, and with a sludgy, channel to carry the debris out to the Hokitika Lagoon. The late Mr J. N. Smyth prepared such a scheme but it never"came in' operation. The opinions then held as to tile golden value of Rimu Flat justified the project and there has been no occasion to recast those opinions. On tjic contrary, it all one hears unofficially as to the prospecting of tlic'Flat in recent times, the opinions have been more than justified. Such being the case there can be a very hopeful outlook for the big mining enterprise setting in, an if good wishes will assist, the ultimate success of tlie great project in hand is more than handsomely assured.