OVER THE HILLS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1921, Page 4

OVER THE HILLS

but not far away. AN INTERVIEW. ) A short holiday in Canterbury ended cm Saturday, when Mr D. J. Evans returned from a brief ten days’ visit to Christchurch. While in the City of the Plains, Mr Evans had opportunities for various conversations with seveial members of the Canterbury Progress League. The League, says Mr Evans, is taking a prime interest in the fortunes of Westland. It was fortunate indeed that locally it was decided to . i i. .o' Canterbury

become a branch ot tne League, rather than seek to establish a separate League here. In the Canterbury League there is a powerful ally which speaks with much authority atid importance "hen it backs up our requirements. The League is very much in earnest in the desire to assist Westland, and the people on the West Coast are very much beholden to the League for the generous and unselfish interest it is taking in our fortunes. The League is particularly well officered, went on Mr Evans. Mr Henderson the President, occupies an important business position in the City, and is also on the staff of Canterbury

College. Mr Climie, the organiser, lias demonstrated his abilities m many directions, and is proving a very livewire. These executive officers are working so enthusiastically and capably as to enjoy the complete confidence of the local bodies and public oi Canterbury. The League is about to issue a booklet of Canterbury for circulation abroad. It is illustrated, and is to contain four illustrated pages refeiling specially to Westland, and this matter will occupy the centre of the booklet. The photographs were supplied from the district, and the booklet is to he used as a means of attracting people to . . i* _ II i

the Dominion from all parts oi the world. This publication will be out very soon now, as Mr Evans had the opportunity of seeing the final proofs of the Westland section. Talking of booklets, Mr Climie mentioned to Mr Evans that the issue of “Beautiful Westland” is very higly spoken of in Canterbury, and arrangements are to lie made to send further supplies ol (his publication across the ranges. But it is in regard to the completion of the East and West Coast railway that the officers of the League displayed what might be considered a burning interest in the fortunes of Westland. A week ago the League’s officers visited the tunnel works with the Minister, and .Mr Henderson’s considered opinion is that in 15 months or so, passenger traffic should go regularly through the tunnel. The League has determined to secure at least monthly reports of the progress and note these on a graph which will disclose to the eye at once bow the work is progressing.

Mr Climie or some other officer "ill visit the works month by month. The next visit is to be at the end of February, and Mr Evans suggested Mr Henderson might make one of the party, and include a week-end stay at Hokitika, Mr Henderson is a nature lover, and was in raptures over the rata now blooming profusely in the Otirn Gorge, and if he \v II make the trip it is hoped to get Mr Henderson into the Imsli country round about Hokitika. As indicating the ramifications of the work of the Canterbury Progress League, Mr' Evans instanced that Thursday’s mail brought Mr Climie a letter from a lady in Wellington asking the Progress League to save Mahinapua Creek in Westland for the people of Canterbury who would bo going to the Coast in Hocks when the railway was finished. The young lady spoke of the milling operations which had destroyed the beauties of Mirror Creek in the same locality, and pleaded that Mahinapua Creek would not meet with the same fate.’ Mr Evans was able to afford Mr Climie information which would appease the lady writer on the latter point, and state expenditure would soon he put in hand to improve the waterway and ultimately to reclaim the creek and lake for the ideal purposes to which they could he put. The members of the League generally were very hospitable to the Const visitor, and various motor outings were suggested. One availed of, was an inspection at Sockburn of Waddell and Sons electric steel manufacturing works. This was interesting as shoving the applied uses of electricity for industrial purposes. It is the largest power supply in the Dominion and very extensive works 'are carried on. electricity generally is used very extensively throughout Canterbury where it can he obtained. In the country and back block districts through whicli the lines pass, the communities are making full use of it. Loans are readily authorised by tlie ratepayers for reticulation of the service, all proposals lieing carried by overwhelming majorities. The people are alive to the value of the power and most eager to use it. Given | the opportunity the available supplies ] are absorbed very quickly.

Tlio city of Christchurch continues to expo nd rapidly. Building is going ahead on all sides. Owing to the scarcity of cement, most of the habitations are going up in timber. Even then the cost is high, but the demand is so insistent for 'houses that the places have to lie built. They are all very modern in design and finish, including every labor saving convenience. Some industries are not so brisk. Furniture-mak-ing for instance, is quiet just now. The crops are looking well, and wheat growing will come again more in vogue. Potatoes will not be as plentiful, though many fine fields are to be seen in various parts of Canterbury. Employment seems to be good everywhere, and many folk are going into the country now harvesting. Motor oars are arriving in great number from overseas, and the second-hand trade in cars lias now declined to almost nothing. So far new cars are not declining much in price, the surplus stock being-stored for the time being, but this' is considered temporary, and prices will fall gradually.