A Glimpse at Westland.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1922, Page 4

A Glimpse at Westland.

(Bv “Native” in the Southland News)

It is a remarkable fact that hundreds of people throughout New Zealand hold rather varied and peculiar opinions concerning the province ot Westland. Tt is often pictured either as a narrow stretch of mountainous bush-covered country where the rain ( almost continually falls in its greatest • abundance, or as .a place which is ; practically isolated from other parts of the Dominion. And so one thing ; has led on to another with the result. that many people would consider it a great hardship were they asked to reside on the West Coast. Perhaps these few facts may dispel those misconceptions and also do something towards helping New Zealanders to know and to understand a little more ol their own country. Westland is to-day attracting very much more outside attention than was paid to it ill the past—chiefly due to the nenr opening of the Otira tunnel and to a general realisation .of the commercial value ot the district. The huge undertaking of piercing that j small hole through those five long miles .of the heart of the Southern Alps is in its final stages. The bene- j tits which Westland will derive from this tunnel are immense for in addition to bringing the place into immediate touch with Canterbury, the West Coast producers will have direct r.’.ilwn*- communication with the markets of the Dominion. It may be of interest "to dwell for just a few moments, in the immediate vicinity of the tunnel. The present connection between the East and West Coast Railways is that perilous yet famous coach road through Arthur’s Pass and down the Otira Gorge. The memory of that 12 miles of coaching and of the experiences of many a traveller making the journey will live long after. the pre-ent traffic is rushing through in ail electric train hundreds of feet beneath. Railway alterations to cope with the Tunnel work and with the anticipated increased traffic arc under way at Springfield and Arthur’s Pass on the East Coast and at Otira and b’lll- - Junction on the west, At Otira a huge power house is nearing <(inpletion. the old railway station is giving place to a newer and larger ■ no. and the whole place to-dav presents a busv aspect. The interior of the Tunnol is practically completed, only the electrical installations and fittings now remaining to lie attended to. At the present time when stormy weather interferes with the coach road, all passengers and mails are conveyed through the Tunnel. I*or the coming season arrangements have been made also enabling dairy produce and other perishable exports to he taken through. Visitors to Westland express great surprise at its industries and its j natural resources. In the past these were greatlv retarded and hidden by the Timited outlet. Practically all cargoes, both inward and outward, passed through the coastal ports where the shipping facilities were often limited and seriously hampered by the. small iuc.miiiodation of river harbours. c «Vs not here permit, the rifer to deal at length with each or i any industry, so we shall agree to pass | qit'ckly from one to another. Coal- , mining in the immediate vicinity of Greymoiitii and to the north is a very big industry, for the reputation of tlic ceal from these mines has been firmly i and widely established for many years. KAWMILLIXG AND MIXING.

Possibly one of Westland's largest industries is Saw nulling. Within recent years the wealth of its extensive forests has been realised resulting in a big influx of foreign capital in timber circles. To-day, the output of sawn timber is immense and the sawmills, some of which are the largest in the Dominion, provide a correspondingly large amount of employment. Thousands of acres of valuable hush country is still htld by the State, merely awaiting application and proper development .

Turning next ti> gold minin'' we sec that the largest dredge in Australasia is on'rating within 2 miles of Hokitika, The nold hearing country known as Himu Flat was recently the centre of prospecting operations under the direction of American representatives. To-day we find that American capital up to something like £250,000 or more has been expended on the erection ol a huge electric dredge—the returns from which are proving more than satisfactory to those concerned. Other smaller dredges are operating in other parts with good results, hut the schemes of the individual gold miner are being gradually replaced hv the methods of modern machinery. Quartz mining is also a stable industry. Further North in the vicinity of Reef ton there are many mines and.it is an established opinion that Westland lias many other quart# seams awaiting or.lv systematic development. KARMTXO A XT) DAIRYING. Farming and dairying are confined mostly to the River Fiats where the land is of excellent quality. It Is fairly closely settled, and cheese and butter factories are erected in all parts. The manufacture of hotter and cheese is much greater than the visitor would have estimated. This industry is growing annually, for many of the large cattle runs are giving place to smaller dairy farms and closer population. In South Westland we find large areas of ideal cattle and sheepraising country. For many years prime beef and mutton of the first quality lias come from this district in large quantities. Hut here is another instance where progress has been retarded through want of communication with outside, markets. .Many other smaller industries are also well established, hut those already briefly touched oil are the most important. SCENERY AND CLIMATE.

Westland’s value- as a scenic resort is testified by the annual increase in the volume of tourist traffic. The scenic grandeur of the picturesque lakes, husliv avenues, and famous glaciers is each year attracting a greater number of tourists. In Westland the recent financial depression was not felt as keenly as in other parts. It was to a great extent rebutted by the general advance in local values caused by the fast improving conditions.

H may be remarked that nothing has yet been said of the climate, for it is by its climate thni Westland is so unfavourably known, ft is agreed thf.it the annual rainfall is high—the official figures are correct, hut the number of wet days in the year tells a different (ale. The fact is’ that it rains very heavily when it begins, rather than drizzling a little and often. The number of sunny days in the year gives Westland rather a genial climate. or, to say the least, something very different from, that which the figures of the annual rainfall would Rliao'CSt. The hydrif-elcelric possibilities of the district are now heinc seriously <ons'dercd. A Power Hoard Ims been constituted to deal with the natural resources. hut as yet the scheme is in its initial stages. The public men of Westland have for years past been zealous of the dis- ,

trict’s advancement, consequent on the competition of the tunnel. In this they have been generously assisted by their Canterbury friends across the ranges. Both sides are now turning t heir combined attention to arrangements for the holding of a great West Coast Exhibition in Hokitika, in 1921. Of this event very much more will be heard as the date approaches. Prom these facts it can he fairly judged that Westland has suffered somewhat from exaggeration of the existing- defects,, while its extensiveness and possibilities have been somewhat hidden by lack of outside railway communication. With the direct raiiwav service, Westland will come into greater prominence from commerciaC industrial, and scenic points of view.