PROSPEROUS WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1922, Page 2

PROSPEROUS WESTLAND

AN INTERVIEW. t • 1 SPECIAL TO GUARDIAN. | CHRISTCHURCH, August 7 { ••Tin* West Coast is coming into its own and wo arc looking forward to tho removal of its isolation by the completion of the Otira tunnel,” said Mr 1). J. Evans, chairman of the Westland progress League, in course of an.interview with a "Lyttelton Times” reporter. He said the people of Canter- | bury and the Canterbury Progress League had been of great assistance in urging the completion of the tunnel, and once the Government had been impressed with the importance of work the tunnel had gone ahead steadily despite the war and financial position which followed the war. West Coast people fullv appreciated what Canterbury had done towards the completion of the tunnel and had no doubt it would prove of great advantage to botli sides of the Island. There was no previous ease in New Zealand where a railway had connected up two provinces so distinctly complementary to each other. In Canterbury, crops were grown, whilst West Coast produced coal and timber. There was no chance of competition between the two provinces but rather each would provide a market for the other..

Speaking of the West Coast, Mr Evans said there was a groat stretch of country, the mineral wealth of which had not yet been fully explored. In the past, great attention had been paid to prospecting for gold, but he was sur * that the Coast possessed other valuable deposits. Only lately, attention had been turned to oil by a visit of investigation by Professor Cotton, of Sydney to Murchison. Professor Colton expressed the opinion that the country round Murchison gave promise of oil deposits and he had advised further investigation.

Dredging for gold over Rimu Flat was continuing to give satisfactory returns. At the present time the Company which owned the dredge was experimenting with a view to getting a machine of sufficient capacity to make it profitable to work those portions of the Fiat which were less aurift'rous than the portion it was at present

working. With regard’ to coal, Mr Evans said that there were now five companies mining at Rcefton. and he was of opinion that Rcefton coal was the best fo] household purposes produced in the Dominion. When the tunnel was completed, this coal would he more readily available for Canterbury than it was at present.

The best building and plastering lime in the Dominion was produced at Boss. This lime was of such a fine quality and absorbed moisture so readily that it could not very well Is* transported by sea. hut once the tunnel was finished it would he available for use in Canterbury.

Speaking of the dairying industry. Mr Evans said that this was rapidly expanding. Last season had lieen a record one for the two largest factories „n the Coast and altogether the results had been very satisfactory. With a view to improving their herds, the dairy farmers of Westland were turning their attention to herd testing and were raising thoroughbred stock. There was every likelihood of the industry being extended further south in Westland this year. A butter factory had been established at Wataroa in addition to the cheese factory, and at Okuru further south, it was proposed to establish a cheese factory m 11)24. Already preparations were being made to raise herds to supply this factory.

There were (several areas of swamp land on the ('oast wliieli could he drained and turned to useful account. It was not anticipated that the cost ol diamine these lands would he very great. A Government engineer had inspected a nunilier of these swamp areas amt the Minister had promised to make a start i n draining work at Hari Hari this year.

Referring to tourist traffic on the West Coast Mr Evans said that this tea'fie Iml shown a substantial increase last year ami there were indications that further increases would lx? recorded during the coming season. A contract had heen let for tin 1 last of the large bridges on the Main Smith Hoad between Hokitika ami Waiho Gorge. This was a bridge over the Waitangi river and according to the contract it was to he finished before March 31st next. When this bridge was completed, he expected that a larger number of cars would travel down to Waiho Gorge.