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Hokitika Guardian, 20 January 1921, Page 2

Wrc have before quoted the New Zealand Geological Department as reporting that as regards water-power there is every reason for hoping that in time to come it will-bring a prosperity to Westland equal to that of the mining industry in its best days, and in comparably more permanent in its nature. This prophetic utterance is recalled today by the fact that Mr L. Bilks, the Government Electrical Engineer, is in the district and paying a visit to Toaroha Canyon. The Toarolia river is a tributary of the Kokatahi river, which is itself one of the largest feeders of the Hokitika river. The Toarolia joins the Hokitika, at Upper Kokatahi, and is a source of hydro-electric power very highly spoken of. The special source of power was discovered by- one of Dr Bell’s party under Mr R. P. Greville, and its attractions were reported on somewhat fully in the Mines Report of 1906. There is a remarkable cascade at

Upper Touroha where the river dropfi about 500 ft in the course of half a mile. It is calculated that from this source ofpower some thousands of horsepower could be derived. There are also some tributaries of the Toaroha, Crystal Creek, Mullins’ Creek, and others, which could furnish considerable volumes of power. Toaroha Canyon, however, is the star attraction in the matter of possibilities. In less than threequarters of a mile the river has a fall of fully 750 feet. It is calculated that fully 15,000 electrical horse power could be derived, and this at a distance of not more than 17 or 18 miles from Hokitika. Here, then, so close to hand, is h, great potential asset, which in the light of the prophetic utterance quoted at the opening of this paragraph, suggests that wo have lit our hack door so to speak, Westland’s greatest asset for the permanent prosperity of the district for the future. To-day.Mr Bir *« is spying out the land. It is " e 1,1 this is so, for the project seems to be « national, rather than a district undertaking, and the people will be looking far ahead in the matter of advice as to action after the visitor has made his official report. The occasion, there ore is one of peculiar interest to W estland investing the future with great possibilites. The report will certainly h awaited with special interest.

A GREAT deal is heal'd from time of the neglected Far Nprth and in consequence of the outcry not a little attention has been turned sympathetically to the quarter referred to. Westland has its neglected area, also, and it is about time it was just as insistent about the neglected South—we refer more particularly to-day to the Far Souththe .region beyond the Wjaiho river where the motor road now ends. The question was brought up very appropriately at the Progress League meeting on Tuesday night, by Mr Ritchie who himself has passed nearly a life-time in the Far South, and had had years of experience of the neglect suffered in that quarter. And yet the Far South is destined to have a great future. It is a territory of exceptional quality, and scenic and natural attractions. It is a great forest region. It is a great- pastoral country. It has possible mineral deposits which will yield untold wealth. It will become when served with harbors, roads and railways, a great tract of dairying country rivalling the present best producing lands in the Dominion. Already we know something of the quality of the stock which come off its pastures, and this is indicative of what the future holds under closer settlement and moie intensive,' development. How is that future to be hastened? The south country needs to be better known. The Government is charged with the development work and if the Government are slow to move it is the fault of the people as a whole who are pursuing a rest and be thankful attitude without being up and doing, and getting all they can out of the vast resources of this wonderful country ef West. »