ADVANCEMENT OF WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1920, Page 4

ADVANCEMENT OF WESTLAND.

VISIT OF PROGRESS LEAGUE

CANTERBURY DELEGATES HIGHLY IMPRESSED.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week were devoted by the Canterbury delegates travelling under the auspices; of the Progress League, to a visit to South Westland. The weather was all that could be desired, and the visitors appeared to enjoy the visit immensely. This was not so much from the mere pleasure of the trip, which jwas of a hundred per cent, standard throughout, but especially from the revelations the gentlemen had of the unknown resources of Westland. They were charmed beyond measure with the remarkable scenery of the district, so varied and overwhelming at every turn as to quite exhaust their store of superlatives when endeavouring to express their admiration of what they saw. They were surprised at the great tracts of country through which they passed, and marvelled at its pastoral qualities. These latter were demonstrated by the condition of the stock seen enroute. .Evidence of the rich pasture lands was afforded also by the thriving dairy factories they had an opportunity of inspecting, and learning something of the quality of the article turned out, the price won on the open market, and the lucrative return to the dairy farmer. Herds of cattle and sheep moving north to the stock markets were also met on the road. One line of one hundred head of cattle coming up to the Araliura sale to-day, struck the farming members of the Canterbury delegation as the very best evidence they could bo shown of the truly remarkable value of the pastoral lands of Westland. The comment these gentlemen passed was that the lino of cattle inspected was. equal to the very best which could be produced a this time of the year in any part of the Dominion. Interesting discussion ensued as to the weights and value of the cattle. A conservative estimate was that if the line of cattle could be landed in Addington sale yards in its present conditions the stock would average not less than £2/ per head and perhaps range to £33. A mob of sheep travelling north was remarked on in terms no less complimentary to the advantage of Westland pastures, and this ocular demonstration of the potentialities of the district probably appealed to our Canterbury visitors more than any other of the many features they saw during their trip.

•The visit of the Canterbury delegates, however, was more to see the wants of Westland, and to learn in wlmt way our friends across the ranges could help us best to assist the material progress of the district. To this end they were more than satisfied that Westland worth helping to the fullest resources available. The visitors recognised that the district was lanquishing for a better and safer means of communication, for quick and certain means of outlet by road, railway or port, and it is safe to-say from the re : marks which fell from all the members of tho party that they are of the unanimous opinion that everything possible should bo done to give the district those facilities of transport and communication, which being afforded, will lift Westland ahead by leaps and hounds. In reaching this deliberate conclusion it will be recognised that tho visit lias been worth while, and the people of Westland will be grateful indeed for the personal interest taken in our welfare and tho resolve on the part of the gentlemen to use their efforts and tho League’s great influence in Canterbury, to further attention to those immediate wants and requirements in the way of public works, which afforded, ■will give the district that impetus it so much desires, and which provided, will be the better for the Dominion as a whole.

On Thursday the party in three motor cars, and numbering sixteen passengers in all, motored from Hokitika t 0 Wailio Gorge. The motor run was enjoyed immensely by the visitors. A start was made betimes, and as the visitor passed through successive reaches of bush clad roadway, their admiration of the scene grew in superlatives, till one gentleman remarked there was .just a danger of the party suffering from scenic indigestion. It proved a Westland wonderland, revealing fresh beauty spots at every turn of the road. The view when entering Ross over the hill struck the visitors as one of great charm, -with the town nestling in the sloping valley bathed in beautiful sunshine. Attention was drawn to the .Mikonui bridge and the nature of its erection explained. Then the travellers were held spell-bound as the cars travelled through Ferngrove to Ferguson’s hospitable homestead, the situation of Which in the cleared space of the green paddocks was such a contrast to the miles of natural bush fringed road, so lately traversed. At the Little Waitaha river a horse ferry was called into use for the crossing of the cars, the passengers travelling round by the wire footbridge. The necessit3' for the traffic bridge so long required for this crossing was fully realised. Then the journey south was resumed, and the road through the Waitalia deviation and on to Pukokura was much enjoyed. Most of the visitors were much impressed with the number and condition of the way-side schools, and they expressed their pleasure, at the care and attention devoted to the matter of education in Westland. A little past Pukekura, and the party came to Lake lanthe. A short stop was made and the natural features of this charming lake were much admired. Comparisons were made with Lake Kanieri and opinion was divided in deciding which was the more entrancing. Then the party motored on through Evans’ Settlement and on to the pastoral country skirting the Big Wanganui river, where fine stock was to he seen pasturing in the paddocks. Thence good time was made to Hari Hari, where luncheon was partaken of at Host Kirby’s greatly enlarged accommodation house.

After getting an idea of the InterWanganui settlement, and its extent down to the ocean beach practically, the southern journey was resumed. -\t the Little Wanganui river two of the cars negotiated the ford without trouble, but the third stopped mid-way in the stream. With an outfit of gumhoots one of the visitors volunteered to undertake the salvage of tko car and its occupants. A long rope was made fast to the car, and the occupants of the

other two cars bogan a tug of war >v'th nature. At first nature looked like winning, and the occupants were consoled (with the suggestion that from their vantage point they at least bad a magnificent view of the snow-capped Southern Alps. However, by this time the representatives of the press, who were on terra firma had finished “snapping” their companions in distress, and with tho added weight, in one instance very burly, nature cried a go, and the ear and its occupants were hauled safely across. The trials at this point wero forgotten immediately, for it was at this stage a splendid draft of fat cattle for the A rah lira market from the Waiho-Woheka district was met,' and -all admiration turned in that direction. One of tile members of the party said nothing be could be shown oil the trip could convince him more of the potentialities of the district than the splendid mob of short-horn and Hereford cattle which composed the mob. As Okarito was included in the itinerary the orders were to hurry oil, and the trip was resumed without delay. The next stage took the party up and over the well graded road which negotiates Mount Hercules. It is a beautiful drive. Tho road is cut on the sideling, and in some instances the cuttings range to a great height. These are all covered by nature with draping ferns, which overlap and present a verdure clad surface of decorative art. The hand of man could not have done the work as neatly at nature has done hers. The whole run along this lino of road is of destructive sylvan beauty, and every stage of it was to the delight of the visitors. At one point of the road, a flood sometime ago made a had washand a temporary crossing is still the’makeshift. Timber is there to renew the I crossing and render it safe and easily negotiable and the -risk to the traffic, as well as the volume demands that the road-way should be restored to complete safety as soon as possible. Down Mount Hercules road, the party aref skirting Rotokino swamp, and after traversing the settlement facing the main road, and crossing the several stoney creek beds which the motorist, (to say nothing of the settlers and other general travellers) are always desiring to see confined and bridged, the Wataroa Flat comes into sight, and wo are soon running up the river hank to the fine cylinder bridge which spans the road crossing. Reaching Matainui, the postal centre of Wataroa, there is just time to make an engagement with the settlers for the following day, and the journey is resumed for a short distance, to the Waitangi river crossing, where .v cart ferry is used to transport the passengers, and a horse ferry assists the cars with their own power to negotiate not a deep, hut a very soft ford. This takes some little time, and as the day is waning, it is resolved now to save time that only one car should run into Okarito from The Forks and the other two cars should short cut to the Waiho Gorge, so as to reach their journey’s end before night-fall. The leading ca r then set off at high speed for Okarito. The Forks was passed on the left and tho township reached by 5 p.m. There was an assembly of members of tin; Okarito Harbour Imprivcment League who kindly entertained the visitors at afternoon tea. Then an inspection was made of tho port. It was low tide, and a good view was obtained of the natural conditions of tho lagoon and harbour. An hour was spent in the township, and then in the gloaming after witnessing a glorious sunset in the light-clouded western ocean, the car set out after the companions of the other cars. The road from Waitangi took the traveller#'past Lake Whhapo, The Forks, Lake Mapourika and the Tatare stream (shortly to he bridged). The lakes were greatly admired, difference of opinion being expressed as to the most beautiful seen on the "Westland, trip. The road continued to present its varying features of scenic splendour, and soon a new interest was added to the outlook by a far away view of the Waiho glacier, standing out so gloriously white in tho bush country, flanking its sides, as the river of ice pushed its way down to the Sentinel Rock —a barrier to its progress, and whence the ice turns to water, and begins its turbulent journey over the rocky river bed to the ocean. The road surface, here, as in many sections along the main south road, leaves nothing to he desired, and good time is made, except where open creek and river bed crossings delay tho travellers. It is a beautifully clear night, the heavens being studded with stars,' and suddenly the lights of the Waiho hotel flash into view, and the travellers are at their journey’s, end for the first day of the South Westland trip—voted a most memorable and enjoyable outing from all points of view. (To be continued.)