Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd, 1920. ADVANCE WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2nd, 1920. ADVANCE WESTLAND.

Circumstances appear to be so falling out just now that the advancement of Westland in matter's material to the interests of the community seems to he beyond question. Tile special article which appeared yesterday in reference to timber developments now taking place iix and about Okarito, gave substance to tho belief just expressed. As to the latent wealth of Westland’s timber resources there can be no question. The baring of the markets of the world in regard to timber deposits, are an assurance that countries still retaining tracts of timber country possess mosl/ valuable resources. The special need and requirement of such loeali- [ ties are capital and enterprise eonpoined to reap the harvest which awaits the efforts of development. In South Westland all 1 who have traversed that great region of Imsh clad country are aware of the great stor© of wealth locked up in the length and breadth of forest land which marks the western seaboard of the South Alps. The enter prise taking shape in respect to Okarito will put to a test the opinions held regarding the value of timber development in South Westland. Its isolation and difficulty to reach a. market under present conditions has preserved / the fine forests intact. The wealth is there just as nature lavishly provided it, and in point of fact, South. Westland contains some of the • finest forest to be seen anywhere in New Zealand. Its value as an asset is unquestionable. Its utilisation is a matter for capital and enterprise. These both promise now, and with facilities for export from Okarito port established, a trade will be opened up which will expand rapidly. There are the markets waiting for tho commodity, and it remains only for enterprise to carry on and there need be no limit to the size of the export to be sent out. The market awaits the supply. The Okarito bush land is said to consist of seventy per cent rimu, seventeen per cent white pine, and the balance of silver pine, totarn and matai. All these are most useful timbers and the trees are of giant growth impressive in their cubic contents of sterling value. If the oi’ganisation of the venture will pennit of the estimated export of six million feet annually there will be no difficulty about the supply of trees 'over a- long term of years to satisfy the demand. , Imports usually place a, most conservative < - + i_ mate on the period in which the forest lands of Westland might be cut out. Twenty or even thirty years appear rid: • culously short—yet that is an official statement in regard to the life of our forests under intensive cutting. For nearly sixty years now miller and miner have been delving into our forests, and a comparatively small gap has resulted if we compare the milled country with what remains in standing bush between the Teremakau river in the north and Mount Aspiring In the south. In regard to some 6.000 acres of timber lands taken up about Okarito it is estimated that even at six million feet per year, it will take no less than fifty years to exhaust the supply in the limited area referred to. How

much longer it will take to cut not the many thousands of acres of timber still standi no; in Westland is a matter for, the imagination which will be lo'-'t in conjecture as to the facilities to he provided for marketing if. The stored up wealth of timber in this province lavishly distributed by nature as 't

has been, is well guarded, also, by its remoteness from markets and the lack of facilities for export. As time goes on it will become more and more imperative to extend the railway south, and even to radiate branch, railways from such places as Oknrito, Big Wan ganui, Hnast and Jockson Bay. These national enterprises will he forced on the Government of the day by the needs of the country for till served by a railway, the great forests of the far south will remain the timber preserves of the Dominion. Retaining so great an asset for th 6 public benefit Westland can never do otherwise than advance. Djo | advent of the iron horse from Canter- , bury’ will be lie first great move towards the new and improved conditions so rapidly opening up locally.