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Hokitika Guardian, 22 August 1923, Page 2

TifK annual report of the Touiist ml Health Resorts I lopartniont does not even deign to refer to Westland. The

. tivit.ics of the Department in other parts of the Dominion are detailed, but the .scenic beauties of the Coast- are ignored. This is not an unusual state of alfairs, and it is not the iit's t- time complaint has I teen made on nie point; but now that the ('oast is linked up with tile .South Island railway system, it might .bo expt'etod the Department would foreshadow some proposals to take advantage of the new territory annexed to the Dominion as h] eeially suitable for the tourist and holiday-maker. We believe it- is a fact tliat the Department derives considerable income from the sale of round tourist tickets for travellers to the Coast, but it would appear the authorities are content to appropriate the profit and not give anything in ieturn. The Department does not realise its obligations to visitors to the DoniTiTion, if it. omits to put forward the virtues and value of a Coast tour. With a new season coining under fresh conditions for travel, and the fact that the Exhibition will be a gieat attraction for people to come from all parts u> the Coast, the Department should il.e disposed not only to give special publicity to She attractions of the Coast, but also to interest itself very intimately in possible developments *>l traffic whereby the Dominion as a whole might benefit from the attractions of a r.ew programme.

"Wkstwaiu) Ho”, the slogan for the Exhibition to ho hold here at the end of the year, is .being featured in several r.f the Dominion newspapers, when referring to the big event. Tn Monday’s Christchurch Press, the following appeared:—“WESTWARD HO!” WEST COAST EXHIBITION. The officers-iii-chargo in Christchurch of the Department ef Industries and Commerce and of the Tourist Department are preparing suggested itineraries for visitors to the West CoOft Exhibition, to open at Hokitika on December loth. When these itineraries are drawn up they will be made public. Mr L. J. Schmitt. officor-in-ohargo Department of Industries and Commerce, intends visiting the "West Coast shortly on .business connected with the Exhibition.

The tours above referred to will ’ o a feature of the travel programme to Le prepared for the Exhibition period. Excursion fares will obtain from all parts of the Dominion to Hokitika, and round tours will be provided for so ns to permit of return trips .by a fresh route. The Exhibition will thus become a great aid to travel. All Coast

tourist features will bo included in tlie itineraries, we understand.

As indicating the value of the tunnel traffic to the Coast, in conversation with a well-known Reoftcm mining men, n. representative of “The Press’’ was given some details of the manner in which Reefton has benefitted by tho opening for traffic of the Arthur's Pass section of the East and 'Vest Coast railway. “Simultaneously with the opening of the tunnel,” he said, “the town of Reefton has taken a decided turn for the bettor. An mprorement was (|uito anticipated, but not to the extent that has •been realised. Owing to the mild' boom in coal quite half-a-dozen mines have been turning out coal vigorously and orders are pouting into the town. Individual orders for a thousand tons are not unusual. The quartz-mining industry shows distinct signs of reviving. The re discovery of the Alexander reef during the past month, after vigorous prospecting for over a year, caused considerable sensation in milling circles. The continued highlv-payable return coming to hand monthly from the Keep-it-Dark, is ft noteworthy feature. The Millerton gold mine, wliit.li has own lying idle for a year, is now in full swing again atul battery returns will be forthcoming at the, end of the present month, and will give an indication of the value of tho stone 'being worked. During the past few weeks a new company lias been formed in Christchurch, and has been registered, to work tho Murray Creek mine, Reelton. This mino produced gold to the value of £70.000 during the war period 101 1-18, but the company fell on evil days during the slump and the mine lias been lying idle for some. time. Arrangements have now been made, as lh<‘ result, of the introduction of Christchurch capital, to resume operations. The lode represents the second highest grade on the Reefton held. In addition, several small prospecting patties are out searching for payable reels, and there is also a big movement in mining matters in the Murchison district.”