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Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1923, Page 2

Westland generally is being extolled very greatly of late in icgnrd to its pastoral possibilities. There is good grounds for the praise, for the district is diplaying its ability to come into its own. Last week at Addington 250 lambs from this neighborhood were auctioned at. prices ranging from 27s 7d to 32s sd. This week a much larger mob from South Westland is to go under the hammer, and next week a further draft will be along. Over 3,000 Jambs from Wcstlaml are expected to be taken over to Canterbury ibis season. The figures indicate what ibe district ’is doing in sheep production, and the success attending the pursuits will increase the trade. Next season the stock will have the full benefit of the railway transport right through to the saleyards or the freezing works, which will mean arrival at destination in ■- more forward condition than is now- possible, after the long trek over Otira Gorge. Facilities are to he designed also for the transport of the stock hv motor from the stmth to the railhead oil the Coast which will mean that the stock will he railed through to the market in better condition still. There is thus good reason for the praise meted out to Westland in regard to its future pastoral possibilities.

Mr Ta knock of Dunedin, who recently visited this district has returned to his headquarters with a good opinion of the future of Westland, and in common with other late visitors, has extolled the possible future of the district, in no uncertain sound. We should say that there is no other part of New Zealand at present receiving the attention this district is and that fact should be an incentive to the people to wake up and realise what is ahead of the place, and prepare to meet it. Mr Tannock is a specialist in forestry and lie offers some sound advice on the f- !tilitv of snerd’ng any large sums of money in attempting to recreate the native forests. That is a conclusion residents pf any fair duration here will

concur in. Ho believes in turning the readily available land into dairy farms and seeing that so much is being said about the dairying possibilities ol tee district, the advice is well timed, and in keeping with the march of developmental events. Within the last few weeks the district lias had the benefit of advice from visitors from Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago, and their views have been freely published by the metropolitan papers. All point to the one conclusion, that the district has a bright future ahead of it, and taking our courage in both hands, useful -operation by the people themselves will help to realise the prosperous objective ahead the quicker. Let all do their bit.

At last there is a definip pronouncement in regard to tme opening ot the Arthur’s Pass tunnel. The lion. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works, has definitely announced that goods traffic will lie operating through the tunnel in March and regular traffic some time in April. This is an official statement which will be generally credited and appiocinted}—and it in very go iid new- indeed, after all tbe Honours which hive been flying about. We may take it. therefore, that in six or seven weeks' time goods traffic will lie eomemiieed, and in Irom eight to ten weeks’ time will see the regular traffic passing east and west by rail. While it is to be regretted that the line will not he operating for the Easter traffic, there is consolation in the fact that, very shortly afterwards the through trains will he running regularly and through passengers will thoroughly appreciate the boon. Mr Coates in his published statement recognises that the sooner the line is in n position to earn revenue the better, and it is pleasing to know that that view so long urged by all those who have been agitating consistently over many years for the completion of the line, is at last definitely endorsed by an authoritative source whence full effect can be given to the condition.