The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is in-Corporate the west coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 18th. 1923 FURTHER SOUTH

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening star,with which is inCorporate the west coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, JULY 18th. 1923 FURTHER SOUTH

The Primo Minister declared to a northern deputation recently which asked for railway extensions, that the Government preferred building Toads for motors in preference to railways. The motor machine can be made a very convenient feeder to the railway, and no doubt Mr Massey had this usful factor in mind when ho communicated his reply to tlio deputation in question. If the Prime Minister has enunciated a new policy, Westland should hestir itself in time, and endeavour to participate in the altering conditions. The Government should be pressed to push the main road further south, and so help to open up the back country. In the days of the Liberal regime there wag provision every year for ronding the bnckblocks, but that was abandoned under the Reform administration. The present government is making special provision to improve the main highways, but the backblocks are .still being neglected, and as settlement is essential for the good of the country, it is not unreasonable to expect the Government to go out of its wav to open up the country more and more. It is n twice told tale to relate how the present Government took from Westland the Parliamentary vote for the extension of the Ross railway south and instead constructed a railway in Mr Massey’s electorate. It is quite time Westland looked for a quid pro quo, and if the Government set about pushing the main highway south of the Waaho, it would bo some recompense somewhat overdue. There is talk of

the Waiho bridge being taken in hand tliis year. The Minister of Public Works said it would be the next largest bridge to be attended to oil the completion of the Waitangi bridge, now fmhhed, almost. The bridging of the Waiho river is of the highest importance to tbo further south traffic, and it will be a great boon indeed if that can be accomplished within a reasonable time. South of the Waiho river there is a great stretch of interesting country to be added to the wealth production of Westland. It is largely forest-clad, with many magnificent belts of superlatively good timber. The pastoral quality of the land has been well established l>y the fine herds of stock which year by year come from that quarter. The Woheka. Plain is one of the richest pastoral tracts of country in Westland. The further south road through that region, will traverse also, some truly magnificent scenic country. Over the AAaikukupa Laddie, where winds an easily graded roadway, there is a. great expanse- of timber country to ho viewed. An experienced traveller with a world-wide knowledge of natural walks, hn« described tlio trip over the Waikukupa Saddle as “the finest walk in the world.” Another scenic treasure just beyond the Waiho. is the Fox Glacier, as accessible ns that of the Waiho Glacier itself. The Fox Glacier nestling below Mount Cook lias scenic qualities of its own and is the source of the Cook’s river. The the road winds on to Karangnrua, where tlio traveller may divert his way via the Copeland Saddle to the Hermitage in Canterbury. Or pursuing his way further south, go on to Bruce Bay, whore there is » natural deep water harbor, and where a landing is being provided at last. A\ ith facilities for shipment there should he 1 a timber export from that region, apart from the export of local produce and stock. There is every inducement in the way ol possible development to encourage the provision of a good road ! further south of the AAaiho. It is a locality where mineral finds of decided value mav be discovered at any time. It would not be a surprise to many folk if the next gold rush did not occur further south. Wood pulping in that locality will come to pass yet. Power coud lie developed at many points lor wood pulping, and in the tracts of tiinI er country there are many areas which should be suitable for paper-making. The asset- value of the territory further south, which is largely Crown Estate, is sufficient to attract special attention to the region, and to fully warrant a loading scheme v.i i li "ill give better access. Remote as it is fiom the rail-head or from points which shipping "ill be possible, the Prime Minister’s declaration that the Govcrnj moot prefers to make motor ioads in lieu of railways, there is no quarter ol the Dominion more suited for the practice of such a policy, and those in authority should emphasise that, attention bo directed to the district further south which will give the country a fair chance in the way of development, and encourage settlement and enterprise in the back block country which can only lie brought into profit by means of better access.