The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13th, 1922. WANTED POPULATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 13th, 1922. WANTED POPULATION.

The fact that the Coast is approaching the peroid of its diamond .iuliileo suggests the celebration of the occasion by a well organised exhibition, is a step in the right direction, as a means to attract large mini tiers of people to the district generally. The Coast stands in need of more population, as a survey of the empty spaces quickly impresses one. The present population and area of the Coast as divided into County boundaries, is as follows : County Population Area, sq.

These figures give an average of one person to every 184 acres on the Coast. If we consider the relation of population to urea in AVestland County—the largest county in the Dominion by the way—it works out as one person lo every 385 acres! There is thus ample room and to spare for more population, and the proposal to hold an exhibition as a means to advertise the

district, and attract people here to see the latest possibilities for themselves, is undoubtedly the right tiling to do. Ir is to be hoped that it will lie possible to organise the exhibition mi attractive lines. Apparently the project will have the wholehearted supn irt of the Canterbury public. The local organisations are leading valuable help. That of the Canterbury Industrial Association —a most iiilluenn.il organisation—is prepared to do all it can, so that the East Coast assistance will be very influential. A large attendance of patrons may be expected. With 35,(XX) souls on the Coast to draw upon, a steady stream of final patrons will l>c assured, and with special facilities by rail for East toast visitors, the attendance should attain very satisfactory figures. One aspect of the organisation work locally will be to arrange country tours at •.■iguhir times and popular fares so as to enable outside visitors to see as much of the country as their time will permit. Tins course will enable the buck country to bo visited, and seeing the invisibilities for themselves no doubt li niiy of the visitors' will lie encouraged to

take up their permanent rc-mlon.'o. The exhibition is intended to serve n practical purpose, to advertise the Coast and reveal its potentialities. The course indicated will further that end in a most satisfactory way. n bo opportunity to lie availed of will afford a means to give the fullest publicity of the resources of the distrut, and tic? information to lie afford "! should be

compiled in as complete a manner as

i possible. Arrangements might be made for each County district to detail its internal resources and a 1 took let | arranged along such lines would be a ! splendid advertising medium. No

j dcubt when flip exhibition project is 1 fully launched, commissioners will be | appointed for each County district on ; the AA'est Const, and those represents!I tivc officials could he made responsible for the information to bo mode public. ' The more the outside people can be ’ made conversant with the resources of I tile Coast the quicker will satisfactory ! results ho achieved. Keeping in view

the fact that, population is wanted all

over the Coast, the publicity department should bo organised as soon as possible to make plain the advantages of the district and its resources awaiting development.

Huller 2002 Miles. 1818 Murchison 1368 1(540 Inaiigahua 3447 741 Grev 13576 1452 Westland .... 7338 1420 34,931 10,071