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Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1922, Page 2

The reply of Mr Massey to the deputation at Christchurch last week, to the effect tliat the request for assistance in regard to prospecting in Westland was a modest one, suggests hopefulness in regard to the departmental reply on the matter. The present vote for prospecting on the appropriations is £7,000 so that in relation to that sum the request for a £I,OOO is not unreasonable. The district asks for a new departure, an experiment in fact in regard to gold mining development. Hitherto, prospecting has been left to the individual. In the case for consideration at present, initiative on the part of the Department itself is sug, Rested. The idea is that the scientific knowledge the Department has at its call in regard to the geological staff, should be utilised in a practical way in the out field. In former times the Department’s officers led by Dr Hell did initial spade work in the general report on the resources and possibilities of the district. It is now desired to go further, and test the reports with practical work. A fair proposal lias been mentioned to render assistance on behalf of the local bodies which help would be a guarantee of good faith and a desire to see tile potentialities of the district well proven. If it is possible to move the Mines Department along the lines proposed, the achievement will be worth while. A new and active policy will be commenced; and there is no telling what the outcome will lie finally. Nor need the attention be devoted solely to Westland. The Prime Minister mentioned also, the Thames district. It would be quite proper that all localities ready to help themselves should be encouraged to do so, and if thereby, a general revival in gold mining can be brought to pass, the euntry will not have reason to regret the enterprise called for.

The suggestion from Christchurch that the interval between now and the opening of the through railway should lie devoted to a publicity campaign as far as AVestlnnd is concerned, is a very good one. The district requires to noise abroad its potentialities, and to give outsiders n more correct perspective of the district and its capabilities. There is a good deal of false impression arising from ignorance as to the resources of the district and what they are capable of under intense development. There is a demand, in fact, for knowledge of the industries of Westland, with information as to possible expansion. The size of the district is not generally realised. A graph which compared Westland County for instance, with the several counties on the East Coast in length and area would be instructive. The southern part of Westland is terra incognita to outsiders, yet it is a locality offering facilities for greater development, as the country is settled. Particulars of settlement land available, with prices would be very acceptable

information to send out. The productivity of the district possible in pastoral pursuits if effectively revealed would he useful in attracting a class of settler who would materially help the progress of the distict. The fullest infomation in fact, as to what the butter and cheese factories produce and the herds from which the commodities are drawn, is the best class of information which would appeal to the kind of settler most needed in AVcstlnnd. The encouragement of tourist traffic is another branch in which direction there is a great field for active publicity.