SOUTH WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1923, Page 2

SOUTH WESTLAND.

VISIT BY AIR W. T. MORPETH. INTERESTING OBSERVATIONS. Mr W. T. Morpeth (Commissioner of Crown Lands for Westland) accompanied by Mr Colin Macfarlane (Crown Lands Ranger) left Hokitika on A fay 20th for the purpose of visiting South Westland, and then travelled over Ilaast Pass into Otago, returning to Hokitika last Thursday by way of Dunedin and Christchurch. Afr Alorpoth, in the course of an interview, stated that they had experienced had weather on the journey to Okuru, there being much rain, but all the rivers were fairly low with the exception of the Haast which was in flood and it was necessary to cross by boat, the horses swimming and suffering considerably by the extreme cold of tho water. On the way down it was found the AVaitangi river bridge was approaching completion, and it should be ready for traffic in about a month. This will enable settlers as far south as Waiho to supply the Wataroa dairy factory.

The tracks generally were in very good order, but owing to tho rain travelling was not pleasant and in the long ride from Paringa to Okuru it was particularly trying and a halt at AD- Afottram’s c-amp at Afnori river for a hot cup of tea was very welcome.

The country south was generally very prosperous, and feed was wonderfully good considering the season, all the stock looking well. The dairy factory company at Okuru is now being registered, and it is expected operations will he started for the somiiig season. All tho settlers have ordered a .large typo of separator, and already a quantity of home separator butter lias been sent north.

Southern settlers were very much handicapped hv the inadequate steamer service, lit his opinion the only solution was to form the 20 miles of road between Jackson Bay and Okuru, so as to allow a steamer service at any time. The telephone service aiso was not too satisfactory. The instruments in use are of an old pattern and not always in good order, while there is constant trouble with the line after every storm. The settlers in the far south were of opinion that the line could he kept up better if sections were placed ill their hands for upkeep, instead of being in charge of the mail contractor, who often had enough to do to complete his journey to time, without any delays for file purpose of repairing the line. It is certainly Lime that new up-to-date instruments were installed.

The journey from Okuru over the Haast Pass was a very enjoyahlo one. The track over the Pass was in good order. Air .1. Cron accompanied them across. Air .Morpeth found that deer were coming over from Otago, in such numbers that they were proving a decided nuisance and he was seriously considering recommending to the Government the withdrawal of protection for deer between the Alaliitahi and Turnbull rivers. Between the Landsborougli and Ilaast Junction on the Westland side and the Fish river on the Otago side was a veritable sponman’s paradise. 'There was an abundance of doer, pigeons, kakn, grey and paradise ducks, rabbits and hares. 'lhe journey proved a very enjoyable one. A peculiar instance was mentioned. On the hank of the Haast river was found a large trout dead, with ail eel, the latter’s head protruding through the gills and the tail from tho mouth.

Air Morpeth went through Otago to Dunedin, then to Christchurch and came overland to Hokitika on Thursday last.