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Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1921, Page 2

Du. Junius when recounting his complaints last week to a Christchurch imported, on matters brought under his notice while on the Coast* had something to say also in regard to t-hei neglect of the public asset at the Waiho Gorge in South Westland. Jt is good to have the influential voice of the Bishop of Christchurch on our side, for he lias a way of asserting himself, and of being heard that should be of advantage to the district. What he says

of the neglect of the Wftilio hot springs is perfectly true and well merited. Other less influential voices have been raised in the past to the same effect, hut with little result. The fact is that in tourist matters, Westland, despite its store of scenic treasures, is the most neglected quarter of the whole Dominion. The Government as lias lieen explained before, has put all its tourist eggs in the Rotorua and Hermitage baskets, with the Otago Lake district for the overflow. There is little or nothing left for Westland, and appeal after appeal year after year has yielded no defined action affecting this district. With the bridging of the south rivers, the opening up of motor transport, and the inflow of tourists south whether the Government help or not demands now some attention to the side shows of the southern district. Most visitors to the Wailio delight in a plunge in the hot spring waters, hut it. is an arduous task to pump the supply by the primitive means at hand. A very little outlay would improve matters, and if the remarks of Bishop Julius were brought under the notbe of the authorities with a renewed request for reasonable attention to the matter, perhaps something more satisfactory might now result.

WifTi/K of late there has been more occasion than not to comment on the lack of consideration for the wants of the district on the part of the Government. it would he unfair as it would he

ungenerous to withhold praise where credit wa,s due. The fact that tendors have in the long last been called for flic erection of Little Wanganui traffic bridge is a matter for congratulation to the and the Government action alt the 'present juncture' when fundi for nubile works are restricted

is to be commended as something of a measure of injustice to l lie district. The Little Wanganui river is the most formidable crossing mihridged between Ross and the Waiho Tile bridging of the stream will he a great boon to traffic. Consistent with the progress in traction going on all all over the world, Westland is also developing motor traffic, and open and rough river beds are not an ideal route for crossing. The motor traffic south is growing, and it is limited mainly at present by the many unbridged rough streams to he crossed. The Little Wanganui bridge will remove the chief cause of present complaint, and the people ’ will he very grateful for so great a stride in opening up the south territory. As has been mentioned in an- * other article to-day, the south is largely Crown estate, and in bridging the principal streams, the Government is 1 dilreetly entrancing the value of its own holdings. The country therefoie has occasion to be appreciative of public works of this nature, and -'ll round gratitude will be expressed to the Government for -going forward with the very important work in question -which fis a very important link also in main south traffic.