The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1923. THU WESTLAND HINTERLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, MARCH 22nd, 1923. THU WESTLAND HINTERLAND.

Tin: hinterland of Westland should begin now to attract something more than merely passing attention. When the Commissioner of Crown Lands of Westland lately made his first official visit to the South district, he was rather more than impressed with some considerable tracts of southern country. As a result of that visit and the impressions trained, a survey party is now in the far south spying out the available settlement land between Jackson Baj and the Maori river (north of the Haast). Still further south is. also, the Cascade Table Land, also worthy of Investigation. The reconnaissance survey now being made will be very usefid, and is certainly a step in the right direction. If the authorities are encouraged with the report, it will mean the roading and bridging of the terpitopr, pn# priotpr praction tfHl bring Wa

extensive area all within reach of •lackson Ray where there are excellent whipping possibilities. An agricultural writer who visited the upper portion of Westland lately has put it on record that Westland is "a land of promise.” lie added: “The Dominion has in Westland a province of unlimited opportunity for settler and capitalist, and the railway will bring in a new era in the development of the South Island.” This is not a phantasy. These opinions have been expressed over and over again but we are approaching the stage when they will W realised. Westland lacks population. It is well-known it is the largest County area in the Dominion. The County has an area of -1.120 square miles, or 2,828,800 acres. As the population of the County is 1217, there is less than one person to every square mile, or actually one person to every (170 acres. It is impossible to traverse the length «f Westland without re--marking upon the empty spares, and it is well, very well then, that the ofh : rials charged with the land settlement „f the district are recognising the position. There is encouragement, too, m the fact that the hinterland country, to which attention is being turned, is capable of being served by a good port such as could he established at Jackson Ray. For successful development the district must bo well roaded and bridged. but we believe the land is there, and if opened up, steam communication will be ai.sured, and the land will attract and hold population. There is another good stretch of country between the Maintain and Cooks rivers. The portion of the district skipped between the Maori and the Raringa .rivers might well receive the attention of the geologist; hut as to settlement, the Mahitahi-Cooks region could bo well served for shipping by way ot linin' Bay when the long promised loading facilities are installed. Then north from Cooks to the Wnilm Gorge there is a range of country which can best he served by road. The- highway is noaiing completion, but to ensure good communication the A\ nikukupn. bridge should he completed, and most essential of all, the Wailio river should be bridged. Cooks Flat is capable of great pastoral development, and that will follow once there are assured means of egress and ingress. The development ot the far south is an attractive proposition. It will entail a good deal of expenditure, hut the land is there, and brought into profit when served with roads to ports, will ho an established asset producing wealth always. The time is at hand when North Westland will be well served with railway communication. It is the turn now for the district further south to receive attention, and that directed towards opening up the land for settlement will he worth while. Westland is beginning a new era, with long years of increasing prosperity to follow.