The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 14th, 1025.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 14th, 1025.

SOUTHERX DEVELOPMENTS. Reports from the South, particularly "hat may t>e described as the Okarito region, give promise of developments of industrial interest. It was mentioned at the Warden’s Court last week that there are several prospectors south of Okarito, probing dredging propositions. The beaches in the Okarito region have had the reputation of being highly auriferous, and under treatment on a large scale* and reasonable economic conditions, must give a valuable yield. Prospectors are now’ moving about in that district, and taking up areas. Application was made at the County meeting last wees, also, for track improvements. so that there is evidence of a forward advancement wjijcji jins great

possibilities. In addition to the mining aspect, there is the wealth of timber resources in the district. While much of the forest area, is locked up by the State Forest Department as forestry reserves, there are large tracts of timber country standing on privately held land. There is a demand for the product from the areas referred to, and a number of options have been taken over standing timber lands, which, if exorcised, will sooner or later mean considerable industrial enterprise. The two native resources of the South, its mineral deposits ami its timher wealth, are great natural assets beyond question. Brought to profit, they must return great yields, for tlieie is a vast tract of country involved. South of the Wailio, too. hut still within easy radius of the Okarito region, there i the probable early developments to follow from the cutting up of .3000 acres of the Cooks’ River Run. Here, again, there should he a great fillip given the South, for in addition to dairying possibilities of a very practical nature, there are again great stores of timher to he tapped—and timber of the rarer kinds found in the more northern parts of Westland. These well understood possibilities should encourage the authorities to aid southern devein] moot to the fullest extent by promoting its advancement by all the means in their power. Improved access is the outstanding need, and it is high time now a forward movement was made with regard to erecting the Wailio bridge. Certain material, it was given out many months ago, had been ordered, and quantities were supposed to he on the water. But it is slow in arriving. The Government might well he prompted on this important matter with a view to hastening the eonstruetion of the work. The people wore placated with a hare announcement some time ago, hut something more practical might he done now, rather than living on a pleasing promise. The needs of southern development will he met greatly by definite work in connection with the erection of Wailio bridge Inung actually undertaken.