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Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1923, Page 2

Tire Mali borough folk are showing a praiseworthy interest in their request tor railway connection with the Main South Island lines. A delegation from Marlborough is to visit Christchurch in November, and then tour the Coast, seeking support to the request. Just at the moment the Government and the Progress Leagues covered by the tour, are supporting the Buller railway to link Westport to Inangakua Junction. Really till this work is out of the way. the Cast Coast line can hardly expect to make much advance. There is also the rivalry of tlio Glcnhopo to Murchison railway, but the East Const lino should take precedence of that section of railway. Marlborough should certainly concentrate on improved road access to the Coast by the Wairau route to intersect the Nelson-Recfton road, near Glenhope. Marlborough is in rather an isolated position as regards read access. It is not a good road which connects with Nelson, and it is a long route round by Nelson for Coast traffic. The Wairau route offers an easy solution for motor traffic between the Coast, and Marlborough, and the opening of a road over that territory would be more quickly accomplished than the railway line proposed.

The report from a Forestry Officer in respect to the improvement of the ocean front, supplies the ground work for definite action in regard to permanent improvement to that quarter of the town. It is to he hoped that the matter will be taken up enthusiastically, and a commencement made betimes, so that some results will lx? available tor the approaching season's traffic. The clearing up of the beach should bo taken in band forthwith. There is a proposal to limit the encroachment of the bank fences, so as to have a more uniform area to deal with. The cost of the Work proposed is not large, and it might be possible to keep well within the figure stated. Now that there is something definite to work upon, £oo spent systematically would go a verylong way. and would show gratifying results, well worth the expenditure. The rendition of the bench >« often » re.

proach to the community, and this should not be. It is a Tory desirable resort, and if care were bestowed upon it, >it would Ik; a. popular playground for the bulk of the community, and at the same time prove a delight to many visitors who invariably visit the ocean to enjoy the fresh and invigorating air.

The Forestry Depot tment is going on on with the State Forest plantation on the Ross road. The Back Creek area is being reserved us a nursery also. Officers are now arriving to undertake the plantation work, and in due course to set the nursery in order. The trees for the plantation are being brought from Otago and Canterbury, some 90, <■ 000 in all. In due course all requiieincnts for the Coast plantation will be drawn from the local nursery. . The land now being used for dairying is to tie converted into a nursery. It is said that the trees to be planted on the Ross road area will include the following exotics: Douglas Fir. Red Cedar, inns Radiatn, l’inus Pondcrosa, Pinus Murieata, Cuprossus Lusitnniea, and Canadian Poplar. This venture, remarks a contemporary, should prove one of the most important, as it will to undoubtedly one of the most interesting undertakings of the Forest Service, not only on the Coast, but in the whole Dominion. The climatic conditions on the West Coast are different from those of other parts of New Zealand, the abundance and persistence of moisture in the atmosphere rendering this locality peculiarly fitted for forest culture. The range of trees selected tor planting at Back Creek, of seven varieties, should afford a- very good test of exotics. The experiments are certain to be watched on the Coast with a good deal of interest.