SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1925, Page 4

SOUTH WESTLAND

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

VISIT OF INVESTIGATION. (Christchurch “Press”) i At an informal meeting ol the executive of the Canterbury Progress League , held ,on December 19th., Dr. Teichelmann, a member of the Westland Committee of the League, outlined some interesting proposals for the development of the southernmost part of Westland. As a result of his remarks it was decided that two or three members of the executive should endeavour to accompany a party being organised to visit Jackson’s Bay. It was stated at the meeting that the Government steamer Tutanekai was expected to visit that part of the coast some time during this month, and that it was hoped to arrange ior the party to go by her. Dr. Teichelmann. who was in Christchurch last week, discussed matters relative to the visit to South Westland with the organiser for the Progress League, and told him that as arrangements had not been made for the Tutanekai to convey the party to Jackson’s Bay an endeavour was being made to charter a small steamer and negotiations were proceeding with that object in view, Since last December Dr, Teichelmann has come across a copy of a A\ estland provincial pamphlet, printed in 1873, setting out the “General conditions of Jackfvm’s Bay Special Settlement,” containing reports of the Chief Surveyor and the Chief Harbormaster, relative to the settlement. It is noteworthy that the scheme for the development of the region as drawn up by the Commissioner of Crown Lands for Westland (who had not seen the pamphlet above-mentioned) is practically identical with the proposals contained ill the pamphlet. The present proposal, which refers to that part of Westland extending from the Haast river to Jackson’s Bay, and containing 961,198 acres, is to construct an inland road to connect Okura with Jackson’s Bay, a distance of 21 miles, at an estimated cost (including bridges over the Okura and .Turnbull rivers) of £70.100. No. 10 of the “General Conditions,” ■ as set out in the 1873 pamphlet, states: “The Government propose to construct •i main road through the settlement; tjje road to commence at the township of Sencoinbci oil Jackson s Bay. and run north as far as the Haast river; i distance about 20 miles.” Intendin' . settlers were offered the opportunity - of working half-time on the road at the I cate of eight shillings a day for orI' diiinry labour. The 1871 scheme fc through owing to the absence of communication by sea between the soiith- , ernmost portion of A\ estland and the i more settled north of the Haast. i There arc some interesting; points in ' the report of the lute Mr Gerhard 1 Mueller, who was at the time Chief 1 Surveyor to the Westland Provincial Government. Of the 00,000 acres between Jackson’s Bay and the Haast 1 set aside for the special .settlement, he . wrote: “I have had full opportunity of • examining it and am justified in saying ■ (hat, in regard to quality and depth o soil, it. is all that could he desired. : The soil is of a yellowish and brownish colour, a rich loamy clay, with an nd- ’ mixture of sand sufficient to keep it , | louse and easily workable; its depth - langes from two to five ieet. . . Hie - luxuriant growth of the fern tree is, - j probably, the most certain indication j ! of the good quality of the soil in the West Coast hush land; and this, certainly’is the prominent feature in tl , block of land under < onsideratiuu.” Reijl'crring to the swampy portions, Iroin - two to twenty chains in width, lie ox- ■ pressed the opinion that they were not ' of the same character as the swamp land, commonly called “pskihis. ’ “I' soil is good loam, in some cases 8 to 10 ' feet deep, and the question of utilising these swamps is merly a question of I drainage, and considering the number ' of deep burns or crocks, traversing the I land between the rivers Waintoto, ' Okura, and Haast, I have little doubt ' hut the facilities will to. found to he great for bringing all these low-lying , portions of the block under cultivai lion. But, irrespective of all this - there is a very largo extent ol'.superior land which does not depend on such ‘ contingencies at all; land which is

rea.lv for the plough as soon as cleared.” The report also ileals with tho timber resources, the geological formation of the country, and of the gold found o:i the beaches and elsewhere. A ratters .worthy of special mention nro 'Limestone (at the headland of Jackson’s Hay); sandstone (Smuotlnvater Bay, Moving Cove and other hays); coal (Smooth water Creek and Homing Cove) anil clay (for hrickmaking). Jackson s Ray was considered a suitable place for a fishing station.

The report of the Chief Harbourmaster (Mr T. Turnbull) gives details as to the suitability ol Jackson’s Day tor harbour purposes. He concludes his report : —“I may state that after nine years’ experience of the AVe.st Const and having seen Jackson’s Bay in all weathers, I have no hesitation in rc commending it as a safe anchorage, proper precautions being used as regards mooning-*: and clear an,:hops.” He mentions -that all round life Open Bay Islands is an excellent fishing ground for cod and trumpeterall round tint islands fish can be caught in abundance including crayfish on the rocks. At the tunc the report was written the Open Bay Islands wore a particularly favourite resort for seats.

A year or so ago some information was nought by the Commissioner of Crown Lands from the Marine Department regarding the facilities at Jacksons’ Bay for shipping. The reply to the questions—ls Jackson’s Bay in its present state a practicable port? Could a vessel deliver goods and ship goo Is, including live dock, under orilincy average weather conditions? was: Jackson’s Bay is a safe and commodious anchorage, where goods, including live stock, can he landed and shipped under ordinary weather conditions. The reply to a second question was:—The distance from Hobart to Bluff is 031 miles, and from Hobert to Jackson’s Bay Oh miles. When making Bluff vessels have the advantage of lights when making land. Tn these modern days of steamships masters are averse to entering bays which are unmarked by lights or

[.Sydney Heads to Bluff is 1007 miles; Sydney Heads to Jackson’s Bay is 1012 miles.] Asked what figure might be quoted as an approximate daily cost of the ocean-going cargo liners that trade with New Zealand ports, the reply was : This is rather difficult to answer ; shipping companies keep this information to themselves nowadays. Generally speaking the daily cost runs from £4OO to £6OO, depending on the tonnage, speed and appliances of the vessel. ~ - I