SOUTHWARD HO.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1923, Page 4

SOUTHWARD HO.

PROGRESSIVE SOUTH WESTLAND. The casual visitor to South Westland on recurring trips cannot- but be impressed with the steady progress in that delightful territory—tbe prime asset governing the genera] future of Westland County. The progress is to bo attributed to the enterprise or the settlers, combined with the fact that after long agitation, and patient waiting improved (and even assured) access is given by the■ bridging of the main streams. Not that tills important factor to travellers removes tile whole menace of the crossings, for some of the minor streams have a knack or rising suddenly and inopportunely to the blocking of motor traffic. But their rising and falling are sympathetic with the rainfall, and with the passing of the unfriendly showers, the streams fall no less quickly than they rose. Still some of the larger and rougher creeks would with general advantage be bridged. They are now the greatest menace to motor traffic. Of the road generally, it is worthy of remark that it is in very fair condition after the nipping frosts of a winter which has been extraordinary severe.

The southern settlers are in good heart- for the immediate future. The stock raisers have good markets in trout of them, and plenty of competition. Beef is rising, and mutton is at a high figure. This is very cheering, aiult ho set-tier with his all in. hit herds is rejoiced accordingly. To tlio backblocker far removed from markets, and with weary miles to traverse to the golden markets, the reward of good prices is deserved richly. The dairy farming section are no less hopeful about their future. The three factories covering tli© principal area of the .southern settlements are preparing for the new season’s milking. Home separation is being introduced, and butter fat is now brought from beyond the Wailio river to the Matainui factory. Some of tho farmers arc perturbed about tlie lack of feed following the severe' winter, but there arc now signs of spring, and green feed should be more plentiful. The- lambs are coming and something of a lesson has been learned 011 the subject of growing more winter feed, so that the stock will he in better profit to face the new season and commence with a good yield. It is a lesson perhaps taught before, and forgotten, but this year’s reminder should be of more lasting benefit.

There is a general improvement noticeable about the homesteads, particularly in the class of dwellings- provided. 111 instances they arc palatial almost, for liner residences could not be found in many small towns, and certainly not in the back country. The homes are being made more and more comfortable and certainly modern in appearance and conveniences. The artificial lighting lias leit kerosene far in the rear. In many cases adjacent streams are harnessed, and homes and workshops and farm implements are all made amenable to electricity. The paint brush is generally more busy and many places have taken on a smarter appearance. In nil building programmes, size is not any drawback. With plenty of good native timber at hand, the settler -builds well and roomily, and as it is “home” it should lie made so deservedly. The till of the soil is the rno-t backward of all. The dairy fanner is realising bis obligations in this respect, and his “little” is now extending. But the stock raiser still relies mainly on bush feeding and cleared paddocks arc the exception rather than the rule. The bush gives shelter and warmth in the winter, and the generally good condition of the stock now coming, forward shows that the settler has not failed to winter his stock well. The three main settlements, Waitiiha, Inter-Wanganui, and Wataroaare fairly well roaded, though each centre can at ready call, supply a list of new roads most desirable to open up more country. Wataroa. in particular. can make out a good case on this account, and additional reading is necessary there to bring a promising area into real utility. Excepting at Inter-Wanganui, there is not any gemi-

i llO effort dealing with the swamp lands. These arc an asset which, apparently, will lie left to the future. Yet the examples of wlmt has been done at Harihari and is now being done at La Fontaine should lie an incentive to grapple w ith other similar areas. There is the expanse of the Rotokino swamp for instance, which, if drained should give thousands ol acres of attractive chocolate soil. At Harihari where formerly swamp lands have boon drained and limed, the fodder production at this time of the year is in contrast to neighboring paddocks where ordinary land, beyond clearing, is left very much to nature. The swamp lands of Westland, beginning with the TCokaiahi and Koitorangi districts, and working south, are an asset which sooner rather than later should lie brought into practical utility. In many instances the land is held already, but a drainage system on comprehensive linos should be taken up and the areas brought to prolit.

Transport over the main south road is ;i matter of great importance to ti'.e .southern district and its immediate advancement. On the whole, the main react surface is very fair —the small bridges are the weak link in the chain of communication. The bridges in question were constructed before motor traffic came into vogue. If the south is to have a fair eliance to progress the motor lorry traffic must he catered for. Tise transport of butter, cheese wool and similar produce by lorry lias become a necessity. The bridges should be equal also to lorry \ traffic transporting lambs and pigs, and even sheep. If there are facilities i for this traffic the settlers will be cnI con raged to send out greater production from their farms. The bridging of the main streams is undoubtedly a I groat boon far transport purposes, but many of tho small structures check the traffic because they are not in a lit condition to carry the extra weight. Frosty Creek bridge is being strengthened, and two bridges near Pukekura are to be rebuilt, but there are several other structures obviously too weak for the class of traffic necessary to synchronise with natural district development. The route south is now placarded with notices conveying information about restrictive loading under the by-laws, and in the present form these restrictions are certainly a drawback to that degree of progress to be expected at this juncture in the history of the south. The scenic glories of the south never pall on the visitor. They arc many and varied, and have been extolled by some of the world’s best writers. Air Julian Grande has told what an asset Westland has in its scenic wonders and has predicted that it must become tire playground of New Zealand when it comes to holiday-making time. But while we have this treasure with us always, as a community we do little to noise its fame abroad—and the Government —though equipped with a special department to boom such assets—do less. Private enterprise at Waiho Gorge is catering liberally for the throngs of visitors which are to pour south this coming season, but great as are the preparations, they are destined to prove inadequate. Already accommodation is being well booked up, and tho unwise virgins will have to rest in the outer darkness if they do not bespeak accommodation betimes. Tho glacier regions have spe-

cial attractions lor the city dwellers. The novelty of the scene, its unique surroundings; the comfort to be enjoyed at the hotel; the civility of the guides who lead the way, along the river of ice, all add to the enjoyment of the tour and the stay at- Graham’s. The Grahams are an asset in themselves to the district. They know their work, and no visitor goes away disappointed with what he sees or the circumstances under which lie- enjoys his stay. Can nothing be done to improve the Wailio Glacier as a more useful holiday resort? To-day, as in tho years gone by, there is but a primitive blazed truck through the bush to the ice. The track is wet and grubby —but it is beautiful. There is a lack of sign posts to guide the unled tourist. There is nought to mark where Peter's Pool is always reflecting the glory of the Franz Josef. The way to “the other side” of the valley is not delineated. The spring waters can he obtained only by laborious pumping. The galleries of old whence so wonderful a view of the glacier was obtained, are neglected or gone. Easy access to and from this most accessible glacier in the world should be provided, and so add to the Dominion attractions, a- novelty which no other country can present. The Tourist Department is sadly neglecting an obvious duty in penniting this beauty spot to remain uncarod for. The country is not getting the value it .should out of so rich a possession. Properly advertised abroad, ioik would come from the other ends of the earth to enjoy the beauty and novelty of the scene which is unique in all the world.