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Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1923, Page 2

Arnoi'os the question just referred to. there appears to be, from all accounts, room for a good deal of development in the Lower Wataroa district. The IV ataroa Flat should in time become one of the best settlements in \\ ostium!. It has the land both in quantity and quality to carry a large population and much greater stocking. Much of the land is held now in considerable areas, far too large to permit of that practical development which is essential for real progress. Some of tho holders are proceeding to cut up their holdings, and as reading facilities are improved it is hoped this practice will increase. Additional roading is very necessary. From the end of the present Flat road to tho ocean beach is a distance of seven or eight miles, with a large area of go-od grass producing country, but roadless. Some of tile land is educational endowment, some native reservation a- good deal of swamp land, and some ordinary Crown land. But the settlement forms an objective on which there should ho an effort. to road the district-, and seek to provide access whereby genuine settlement will lie possible. This qipnes to the territory from the Wataroa to the Waitangi, and on both banks of these rivers. The river flat land is said to grow the sweetest pasture in Westland, and in beef, and mutton, and cheese, and butter, produces prime quality. Looking to a. centre whero there is room for immediate development under favorable conditions, the Wataroa Flat- at once provides a centre tor prompt action.

Thf. County Chairman (Mr Duff) who returned from South Westland on Saturday, having travelled as far as Weheka (Cooks River) was much impressed with the trip. He noted a general condition of advapeement, and found tile settlers comfortably established on their holdings, and all apparently doing very well. The bridging of the larger rivers is a great boon to the south traffic, but there still remains many small streams lequiring similar attention before traffic will he safe from interruption by flood. The south people are grently pleased to hear that the Waiho bridge is to be started this year. This accomplished, a great boon will be derived. The bridge will open up permanently the far south route to Weheka and the Fox Glacier, and add a new territory for hiliday makers. The eighteen miles of road which will lie added thereby, is deserilied as the finest scenic rifle in the Dominion. If the beauty of the Otira Gorge is lost to the general traveller now, there remains the ride over the Ocnioeroa and Waikukupa Baddies, presenting a wonderful bush panorama, and leading to an open expanse of country at Welieka, which after winding round and over the mountain country, is one of those pleasant, surprises which will delight the heart of any traveller —come he from the far corners of the earth.

Tiie prosperous nature of South Westland is well indicated by the general condition of the stock. Although at the end of probably the most severe winter the tho district has passed through, fat .stock is coming forward in droves for the meat markets of the north, whilo buyers on behalf of outside purchasers are finding their way into the district, and where they can. picking up supplies. The pastoralista should have a good season, realising on their well-kept stock. I lie dairy farmers are more perturbed, :>ui they will at least have learned the 'es. son that it is wjfse to grow feed for the winter in advance. Signs of spring are just making their appearance south and it is not a day too soon for the dairy stock on some of the pasture land, where perhaps nature has been left very much to herself. In paddocks where lime or fertilisers have been in use, the contrast with adjoining fields is most marked, showing that dairying requires in particular special forethought for winter feed to bring the herds in well in Profit for an early .dairying season. 'ihe time is at liand when the dairy-farmer will be able to dispose of his cream all the year round to the factories, and this immediate possibility should encourage more than over, the practical tillage of'the land as a. first aid to sustained sqccgss in dairying.

Tiie 'Exhibition Council meets to-night at the County Chambers at 7.30 o'clock.

There will lx? a meeting of the Hockey Club at Stow’s this evening at 7 o’clock.

Miss T. Wallace Ims boon chosen as Captain of the West Coast hockey team to play at Dunedin. Messrs Johnson and Foote, butchers, notify owing to ill-health their business will t>e closed down tiil further notice.

The Jvokatnhi Dairy Factory Coy. announce that tho lactory will commence tho season on Friday next when all cream will be called tor.

Roll lip to tho euchre tournament and dance in Si. Mary’s Club rooms to-n>giit. Good prizes, lucky table, suppei and dance to follow. Admission is. —Advt.

The Westland Chamber of Commerce meets to-morrow night at 7.30 o'clock shairp. Members are invited to attend punctually in view of tho benefit entertainment at tho Theatre. A report will be submitted on tlie subject of the continuous telephone.

?0 pairs of ladies' velvet court and derby shoes, just landed, to clear at court 11s Gd, derby 1-s Gd at Hallenstein’s, Itevell St.—Advt.

Fresh arrivals from Christchurch on Saturday included new potatoes, first of season, tree tomatoes, a delicious rarity in this town ; also the finest onions ono could wish for and they’re all startlingly cheap at The Jlivoli, Revel 1 Street.—Advt.

The death took place at Groymouth on Saturday of Mr. Robert Greenwood, aged So. lie arrived in Taranaki as a lad and fought through the Maori war. He came to the Coast iorly years ago and entered the railway service. lie was a prominent resident of the district and was a mendier of the Mason.c I-odgc. His surviving soil, Georgo, is manager of the Rank of Now South Wales at Hobart.

A correspondent writes, as follows, but fails to vouch for the actual correctness of the statement: —“The oilier day a guard on the Hokitika-Grey-mouth railway when nearing Hokitika, sharply pointed out to a grey-beared man that tile ticket lie had presented was only a child’s ticket. The man looked hard at tho ticket and replied, “Yes, that’s all right, hut 1 was only a child when the train left Groymouth, it has taken such a long time to get here.’’

Evidently ii is not only the “express’’ train between Gieymouth and Hokitika that occasionally frightens nervous passengers at the record speed that is observed on the journey, judging from the following paragraph that appeared in last Friday’s “inungnliua Ximos”:—“The train this morning was again late. It took no less than two hours to travel the 18 miles from Ikamatua to Reefton, and occasionally it stopped altogether along the line. On reaching Mnwhoriti some of the trucks were put off, hut still the train could not make up any of tho late time. It is high time the 'Railway Department considered putting on a heavier engine in plaee of the present light one, in order that something near the eorroct time table may be kept.”

An indication of the great improvement in transport, facilities brought about 1)v the completion of the Otira Tunnel, and the possibility of increased revenue that may result from the carriage of manufactured products over the South Island lines, instead of shipment by sea, is a twelve ton waggon ol Creamoata dispatched by Messrs Fleming and Company Limited oil AVednesdav last for Hokitika, the total haulage being just about 500 miles. The eoleritv with which shipment can ho made, is most marked. Under the old order of things much time, sometimes a month, might clause between receipt of requisitions and the opportunity to shii> to flic West Coast, a riromnstanccwliich severely handicapped manufacturers in the South. On the other band, of course, the ports of Bluff and Dunedin will suffer a reduction in coastal tonnage.

50 pairs men’s double knee and .-.oatted denims, rnlo pocket, to clear at 9s lid a pair at Hallenstein’s, Kovel I St.—Advt.

Mr T. W. Dull', County Chairman, and party returned from South Westland on Saturday evening. The party went as far as Weheka. where the weather caused the party to return, thus necessitating the cutting out of lire visit to Bruce Bay. The return journey was delayed a day owing to the flooded creeks between Waiho Gorge and Okarito Forks. While in South Westland deputations of County ratepayers were met at Waitaha Settlement, Evans Road, Harihari, .Matair.ui, Okarito, Waiho Gorge, Doeheriy Creek and Weheka. The visit was an interesting one, disclosing a state of general progress in the south country, with tho promise of greater progress still as settlement expands hv reason of improved access and moans of communication. 'Hie-County party motored from Waiho to Weheka over one of the finest scenic roads possible to imagine. The grandeur of the forest scenery it would be difficult to eclipse. There is an excellent road slurfa'-e. but a good deal of climbing n.n<l some sharp turns and declivities. 'I he present drawback- is the want of bridges over the Waiho and Waikukupa. hut these structures are to he taken in hand. With Weheka definitely linked up with the main south traffic, visitors will pour into that- territory to enjoy the groat* scenic ride, visit tho Fox Glacier and see the expansive Cooks Flat where there are some fine noted herds of Hereford Cattle. The settlers along the route are pleased to find that. Ihe chief rivers are now being bridged, thus bringing them all so much nearer the centres and direct* railway communication.

Radiator leaky? Use "Radorono.” Permanently repairs radiators without use of soldering iron. Takes only few minutes. Circulation not impaired. 3s 9d post paid. R. P. M. Manning and Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch. —Advt.

Plan to he among tho early shoppers Is sale Is. the great one price event 12,000 articles worth from 2s to 60s each now all one price Is each. It will pay von to lx?g to-morrow or otherwise find money to visit this great clearance. This unique sale for three days only commencing Friday, Aug. 31st Insane sacrifices in every department. The greatest sale Westland ever knew. Re there. McGruer’s, Hokitika and Grevmouth.—Advt.

20 pairs all wool Colonial white blankets, double bed side, to clear at 37s 6d a pair at Hallenstein’s, Revell St.—Advt.

Schroder and Co are again to the fore with the latest creations in millinery. To appreciate them we respectfully solicit your inspection.—Advt, For Spring cleaning you will perhaps need renewing some of your carpets, linoleums, curtains, or fresh runners and mats. Schroder and Co. are now showing the latest at a very reasonable price. For quantity, especial concession will he made for cash. It will be to your advantage to inspect early at Schroder and Co.’s—Advt,

Dairymen: Get all the cream by using “Ceres” Separator. In class by itself. Self-balancing, self-oiling, cleanest skimming, 16 to 144 gals. R. P. M. Manning and Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch.—Advt. Fcr Tn3uenza, take Wood*’ Gres 4 Pvppecmint Core.

The Hokitika School Committee meets to-night at 7.30 o’clock. Many freinds will join in sympathy for Mr and Airs S. Holley,, who have suffered tho loss of their infant twins, one passing away on last Monday, and the- second one on Saturday last.

A jumble salo will be held in Totem Hall, Ross, on Saturday next, in aid of St. Patrick’s Church, Ross. There will be a large collection of produce, and all other sorts of goods on sale.

There was a fire alarm at 11 o’clock on Saturday night at the AVestport Old People’s Home. A fireplace in tho inmates’ dining room was discovered to have set the building burning. The discovery was made by ono of the inmates, and the -Master and staff got quickly to work with a hose and dippers of water. They hud subdued tho outbreak by the time tho brigade arrived.

Ladies can thank “NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help for shortening the once dreaded washing days to a brief hour or so to-day. It works wonders, and only Is for 7 weeks.—E. J. Lloyd.— Advt.