SOUTHWARD HO!

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1920, Page 4

SOUTHWARD HO!

WESTLAND’S TIMBER WEALTH

BIG DEVELOPMENT POSSIBILITIES

There are big developments on the tapis regarding the timber wealth of South Westland. A company is being promoted in Christchurch to undertake a large development scheme. Rights have been secured over some ten thousand acres, more than half of which are in the vicinity of the port of Okarito. Roughly, -1,000 acres of forest holding surround the Okarito Lagoon, and there are about 2,000 acres just to the south of the port. In addition, the promoters of the company hold timber-cutting rights over about 4,000 acres at InterWanganui. A company is being promoted with a capital of L 120,000 to work this large proposition, which includes naturally the provision of suitable bottoms to work,Okarito harbour in order to carry the product of the three or more sawmills to be built, 4o the markets offering all over the Dominion.

The timber wealth of South Westland is very vast. But it can be turned into money value only by the aid of capital. Okarito is 'a natural centre for the middistrict of South Westland, and with the present industry established the township will become one of the most tlu'iving places on the Coast. The great conservation of water held in the expansive lagoon at Okarito is a wonderful asset in the making of a permanent harbour. The is about seven miles long, with an average width of three miles, and contains .about 4,000 acres of water of varying depth. The lagoon is. tidal, so that under proper control and direction in the way of sccjur twice in the twenty-four' hours, the situation provides a comparatively easy problem for the marine engineer to deal with when utilising the flow of water in regard to a permanent channel. When the Minister of Public Works was at Mari Mari less than a fortnight ago, he was approached by the residents of Okarito, on behalf of the Okarito Harbour Improvement League, asking for facilities to improve the port for regular trading. Air Coates was evidently impressed by the figures jjiven by the deputation as to the wealth of the district justifying the request, and he promised to look into the matter, and if the,wealth was there 'in return for tlie public expenditure, then the work should bo taken in hand. A company, such as is now being promoted, is some tangible guarantee of the wealth to be recovered from only a portion of the forests of South Westland. North and south of Okarito for a considerable radius, if port facilities are given, there will be a great timber development and a 'boon in the industry which will be surprising. The (1,000 acres in and around Okarito which the pres-ent company, when formed, proposes to operate, constitute only a fraction of the area which will be worked ultimately when shipping facilities » are available. The forest lands of South Westland are notable for the quality of their crop. Some of the finest* rimu and totara areas in New Zealand are to be found in the southern district. There is a variety of excellent tim’ber also embracing silver and white pine, ns also matai. It is not an extravagant estimate to, say that great tracts of the country will yield 30,000 feet to the acre. In many cases, the length of the hole and the number of trees to the acre proclaim the majesty of this forest country—which it might well be called in preference to mere bush land. And there are vast tracts of suoli country. There is a great store of such forest country in the Waikukupa Valley, the forest of which may be viewed from the Main South Road as the traveller pushes further south. Travellers with a world-wide experience have proclaimed the view of the Waikukupa forest as one of the most magnificent to be seen anywhere. Yes, the timber wealth of South Westland is vast indeed!

A North Island visitor who had the opportunity of inspecting the southern forest lands, and speaking with a knowledge of the famous Seventy Mile Bush country, has described the forest in tlie vicinity of Okarito as “ the best bush ” he has ever seen. Within a radius of a chain he counted no less than -56 stalwart trees. The average length of a bole ol the trees 'in the forest inspected was estimated at 80 feet, while some were believed to run into 120 feet. The forest wealth is there; the point is to recover that' wealth so that the present generation, who have done so much pioneer work, might reap some advantage from the development of an industry which will give the south country a new lease of life, and lift tlie whole district ahead substantially.

The present company will be registered in a short time, and when in full operation—say after twelve months — hopes to have an export of six million feet per annum from the three mills it is intended to establish adjacent' to Okarito. The accomplishment of this industrial feat is purely a matter for the vigor of the managejuent, for the commodity is there to operate upon, and all over New Zealand to-day there is a market for the timber, for the cry is for timber,.and more timber. The improvement of the port of Okarito is one of the essential factors in a large export trade, and the establishment of a company of the dimensions mentioned is a guarantee of the shipping trade to justify'the outlay on harbour improvement. The registration of the company should therefore be an assurance that the trade will be there, and it is for the authorities to provide the improved facilities necessary for the shipping. The task is for the marine engineers to solve, but with the local conditions to work upon, there is a foundation which should ensure success being realised. No doubt with a straightened channel, kept imposition by a protection wall, a good scour will result twice daily, and this should ensure a good even depth for the class of shipping likely to work the port. If this comes to pass it can be but a short time that, instead of the South Westland railway moving south from Ross slowly, the South Westland railway will radiate from Okarito, and come north to meet the section' going south from Ross to the Big Wanganui; while a further section from Okarito itself will go on south to the greater forests still of the Waikukupa country—which will stand for ever preserved till railway transit is provided to got the timber to a shipping port. The South Westland railway is destined to materialise much quicker than most people expect, and in a direction for the time being least anticipated. But the future of I the south district by reason of its tim- •

| her wealth is so certainly assured that to delay in the utilisation of its resources 4s to withhold from the present generation their full reward for all the pioneer work they have done to open up I s Westland and lead it to the promising prospect now opening out for it. The building of the South Westland railway (next to the linking up of the East and West Coast railways) is one of the most important railway projects in the Dominion. Important because of the pregnant possibilities to follow wiiieii Westland will be able to give to the rest of New Zealand all the timber it will require for decades to come. This is a fact which no Government can afford to ignore in the very near future, and when the position is fully realised there will he nothing but condemnation for those who, by their neglect and dilatoriness, have delayed the legitimate Extension of the South Westland railway into the Crown Lands—the . betterment of which will ho for public profit- and not for private gain—as so often happens with most railway, extensions in-this country nowadays. The South Westland railway will have a definite objective—to tap the Crown’s own estate, and yield to the people the crop of that estate. What greater recommendation can there he for any other public work in New Zealand P

There is a national duty to be performed in the opening up of South Westland,* which contains such latent wealth in its timber resources. T(je timber trade alono justifies the Government improving the port at Okarito and building a railway from the centre to carry the timber trade to recoupt the outlay for Loth the port and the railway.l In this way the Government will be opening up the' country in reality, and doing it,to the profit and value of their own Crown territory. Once cleared of the heavy bush tile pastoral value of the south land has been demonstrated over and over again by the quality of “prime Westland” which has found its way to the stock markets. Not only in yielding food supplies by way of the stock from the, expanding southern pastures, hut also in enabling dairying to be established in other centres, will the productivity of the south he increased manifold. The certainty of regular shipping for Okarito will induce factories to grow in the south, for there will be assured means of export without a liability to delay and deterioration for butter or cheese through being held up unduly. The area referred to because of its present isolation may be considered' a good example of the baekbloek country, spoken of so often in New Zealand. B.f opening this great tract of country up for ready access, the Government will be assisting to establish permanent settlement in an area which will well repay the enterprise, and all the facts of the case cannot be too soon or too strongly impressed on the Government, and their.'practical aid sought in the direction referred to to remove the present reproach of serious isolation now holding the south country back. In connection with the large timber enterprise referred to in the foregoing, -Mr 11. Gladstone Hill of Christchurch, is mentioned as the likely manager of tlie big concern. Air Hill has a Dominion reputation for energy. He was lately before the public for bis very successful management of the New Zealand tour of file New South Wales State Orchestra. Mr Mill handled the business side 'of that great undertaking "with skill and tact, and received .the 'highest praise from all concerned. Although “fiddlers” are employed about a sawmill, the industrial proposition is hardly of a musical bent. But Air Hill will have scope for tlie energetic business ability be has displayed, and putting his the plough in the industrial field, ho should succeed again. A large venture such as is proposed in the vicinity of Okarito will require good management, and Mr Hill has the zeal and the energy to put into it. We understand Mr Hill has inspected the whole proposition' personally. He visited the district, and spent some days in going into all the details very carefully. He came away, we are informed,- with an assured conviction as to the great industrial .scheme opened up, and lie regards the undertaking as offering very attractive financial results. Along with Mr Hill will he associated several Christchurch gentlemen as directors, and this is a guarantee that the undertaking will be financed soundly from its inception; We have held for long very settled views as to- the future of South Westland. - It requires but capital to develope it, and unfold its great resources. We welcome this proposed advent of capital in an enterprise destined to be very successful, for it will deal with a commodity which is there in great store, and which, converted into timber, will find a ready market all over New Zealand. It is for the management to operate the company in such a way as to °make “ assurance doubly sure,” and, a great forward step will result for the future of South Westland and the benefit of Westland itself as a whole. Advance Westland!