OKURU NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1925, Page 4

OKURU NOTES

(Front a Correspondent). OKUItU, Dec. 9. Air A. Cowan has returned from Alakaroroa having escorted Aliss Holdsworth to the East Coast. They experienced severe weather and floods and were compelled to take refuge in the Government Huts for two days. Deer are unusually numerous in the Ilaast and adjoining country this season. one traveller counting four hundred on the trip through. There is no doubt if something is not soon done to cull out a large number, in the near future, they will Itecome a had pest. Large areas of hush and good grazing laud are becoming ruined, while cropping is out of the question. They are going further afield each year, now extending to the Blue River, I’aringa River. Upper AVaitoto and Okttrtt Rivers. At the rate they are extending. Okttru, Lower Ilaast. and other good farming districts will soon ne overrun. Tt was amusing to notice in ;i North Island weekly a speaker at an Aceiiinitisation Society meeting speaking with some enthusiasm on the groat value of deer as a national asset.. The same person also stated deer did no harm whatever to the forests. I lie writer could point out largo areas, more or less ruined, with acres and acres of dead sticks with not a living tree that was once a thick virgin forest. The Alissos Cron have left on an extended holiday. They intend to visit the Exhibition after Xmas.

Rev. Young conducted well attended services here on the sth and (ith inst. Incessant rains are the order of the day holding up farm work and effecting the growth generally. {severe heavy Hoods have also added their (piota to the hardships of the farmers. Tt has, had its had effect on the pastures and growing crops. In one or two cases whole crops have been washed out- and ruined. Owing to the bar running out. north during it flood period and aided by the high tides settlers homes have been under water, dairy herds have had to go unmilked and boats have been used to get from one place to another. Whole paddocks were under water, covering fences and gates completely. Several residents leave shortly to visit the Exhibition and other places of interest.

Tt is understood flax-millers are expected from outside the province to inspect the large areas ot flax on the Ilaast and Cascade Rivers and intermediate country with a view of working same on a commercial basis. Ihe llax on these rivers is considered of superior quality owing to the absence of an insect that bores through the tlax. often making the fibre unsaleable. Elaxmills have previously been working those ureas hut several years have elapsed since they were lasi worked. A venture of this sort should prove very profitable both to the enterprising proprietor and the district, which would he another step in the right direction. The area of good marketable llax in the Cascade Valley is extensive, covering several thousand acres. The Waita River, known locally as the Maori River, would also he a- good silo for flaxmilling operations. Here too. mills have been previously’ working. It is understood the Raringa and Karangarna flax lease has already been taken tip. Probably tbo outlook fot marketable fibre is bright. It- is understood a prospecting party headed bv a local cnlliusinsl may prospect and explore the Red Hills disdislrict. an extensive mineral hearing range, of a fairly low altitude south ol Jacksons Ray. Crome iron ore has been found there of good quality, hut whether quantity exisits is yet to be loti till out. Very little is known of this country, there being no diiect roads giving access and it is mans miles from eotiinniiiie:il inn.