OKURU NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1926, Page 4

OKURU NEWS.

(From A Correspondent.)

G ENTER AT., OKl’Rl’, Felt, lo

Kens in large numbers, its is usual during this time of the year, have made their appearance on the Flat, offering profitable sport to the settlers. .Sheep on Harris Bros.’ station iverc said to be attacked by them. Sufficient lino weather to get in the oat and bay crops was appreciated by local settlers. Mustering hits commenced, and it is estimated entries for the AVataroa autumn sale will exceed the usual number. Good prices for all good grown cattle are anticipated. ■ An official party, including officers of the Lauds. Forestry, Tourist, and Public AVorks are expected hero this month, it is understood with the view of reporting on the South AVestlitnd Development Scheme; also the suitability of opening up the liaast Pass route as a recognised tourist route, ivilhout doubt a valuable asset, the value of which AVestland does not vet fully realise. The parly anticipate approaching from Otago. via liaast Pass track, and returning the same way. ...

A number of Maintain and local residents leave during Hie course of a lew days for Dunedin Exhibition, via Die liaast Pass. A parly tinder the supervision of Mr Gov.mi leave shortly In undertake maintenance and improvement work, which has been urgently required and has long been put till. Afoney has been available some months past.'and it is lo he regretted the person responsible for ibis unnecessary delay does not pul more steal into the district's progress. The ntnri-l I'-alite also (lie stalking season- will bo to a dose before Die work has commenced. Rocul men offered their labour to have the work undertaken some months ago, vet the lame e\eii«c is no labour is available. Alltel, criticism has been uttered in Die visitors' hook at Die Clarke (iovcrnnu nt Tint <>! ike roiulilion Die track has been allowed U> revert into. Ibis condition mo, is ■' sponsible for the number of eases n here travellers have become lost, and other minor accidents. There is no ‘l' 11 '! 1 ' the Iralfie over this delightlul i as* v.lll in time to come amount up to the number of traveller* on the Alillord and other well known tracks, not only lor its magnificent, scenic value, bid also on its future importance in linking up the Fast and West, and round Die Island motor traffic, the undertaking the motor and tourist companies are agitating for. Probably no other route can boast of such a variety of first class scenery, ranging from heavily tiinbvietl. mountainous, and gorgeous eoimtii, delightful grass flats, with their groups of clustered ribbonwood and terms: numerous large and picturesque ivaterfalls; large herds of deer, from which the best heads exhibited in Die exhibition. and in fact that were ever shot in Xeiv Zealand, are taken; and its magnificent lake scenery abounding with scores of varieties ol native (lucks and other birds. All these .attractions, besides many others, must and will attrael, large numbers of tourist, sportsmen and others from far and wide in years to come. Advertising is required. Ira Hie will bring better access, accommodation, etc.; and in its turn will bring more and more sight-seers, which will open up our isolation, and bring into the province an ever-increas-ing revenue from tourist traffic. Our assets as a scenic attract ion can demand, and will readily receive it top market price when tie realise its importance, and place our .scenery on the market. DFFK-STA !,K INI! SEASON. Rl'Jii. An increase in the number oi keen soortsmen is anlieinaled this season in the llatisl (’alley, and some good spur! is .a surety. General Hart and Mr Vivian E. Donald will not lie taking

part, this season, as they inleml to try their luck in Central Africa. The Governor. Sir ('. Ferguson has found • il necessary to also cancel In?, stalking Dd.s season. It is understood his blocks have been olfered lor public ballot.. They ivere situated ill I lie Wenaka district . THE MISSING MEN. Relatives and residents are anxiously awaiting the result of Die recent search for Du- live missing men in Afartin'* Ray dial riel. The ruinmir that was recently in circulation, that the Inituer party discovered dogs dead on the claim from starvation is ivitlunit inundation. There is also doubts as to other arils said to have come from Die previous search parly lending to cause inure anxiety than lias necessary. The fact remains that in n stretch ut country one hundred miles hy seventy ivholly unpopulated leaves open a number of wax's in ivlfieli a whole party could meet an untimely end. In Die your 1878 four men and :i lad lost their lives ivlien proceeding from Jackson's Ray to Big Bay in an open boat. The whole party were lost and were buried on the North Head of Rig Ray. Tivo of t ho adults Mere natives of Die B|ietbmd Isles, one an Englishman, and the fourth a native of Nova Scotia, and t!ie lad ivtis horn in Ross. Aunt her fatality happened in the same district ten years after the first, also caused hv the upselling of a boal, on I lie Hollyfnrd bar. The victims Here

two Kiiglislnneii anti a Herman. ii search of gold. Since the discovery ol this district more deaths have been registered, caused by fatalities. than deaths by natural causes. The-district was once a settlement known as Jamestown. Messrs McKenzie LVos. are the only two remaining inhabitants, both middle aged bachelors, and brothers to .Mrs .). Cuttanee. Weld Street, Hokitika. A few years ago a wayfarer made his way to McKenzie's homestead who was in the habit- of taking a drug. When his supply of drugs was finished ho made several attempts to do away with himself, and in spite of the watchfulness of the AleKcnzics in hiding cartridges, etc., he managed to find one

atal cartridge and shot himself, falling

in the younger .McKenzies’ arms. According to AlcKenzics’ records of dates this happened on a ’Xmas Pav. AIIXLVt! X’OTKS.

It is understood attempts are being nude to have the large tract of mineral icaring country south of .Jackson’s Huy known as the Red Hills) explored iit he near future. .Should this eventuate

there is no doubt something practical and interesting will result. Such should also tend towards a favourable decision in Lhe (tovermnent’s action in

South AVestimid (Jacksons Buy) do velopment scheme, as the whole of (hi: vast tract, nt country could onlv lit worked by a commercial port so conventiently situated as Jacksons Hay. In the* year ISi6-7 a geological exploration was made by the late .Mr D. Alaclarlnne. at that, time the Govei nment, Resident Agent at Jacksons Bay. Mr .Maefarlane finishes his report on this exploration by saying: “ I think a thorough examination of the country indicated would be productive of useful results, leading to important mineral discoveries which might be of great financial importance to the country, and attracting population to the Coast, thereby developing file at present locked up resources of the West Coast.” These optimistic remarks by the late .Mr Afaetarkme, after his exploration, were written over fifty years ago. yet nothing lias been done to develop it. A\ here are tile organising powers

oi our province!' What is our 'Progress League doing? Doe-, ilte League know lief own Province ! J n the face ot these tacts the League doesn't realist*

the value of her apparently most valuable portion of the Province—begging to be turned into prosperity.

Air Bassett, a local gentleman (Hokitika). writes: “ There was a promise made. It was to be followed up by a proper geological survey by Dr Hector, or one of bis staff, but from that day

to this nothing has been done and no geologist or expert of any kind has ever seen the country, with the exception of Professor Park of Dunedin University, who some years ago came through to Dig Bay from Otago, and managed to get on to the southern termination of the Red Hills, tint did not go further. In writing to me he said :—' I predict that at some future time the Bed Hills country will he the scene of great mining activity.’ ”

It has been said from good authority that wherever chromite occurs platinum will also often ho found. Barge quantities of chromite exist in this vicinity. Ur Bassett spent a few days in this locality about two years ago. and is very optimistic about the possibilities here.

A specimen of kerosene slialo on exhibit at the Exhibition was identical lc) that to ho found in the- Paringa Valley. Mr Eric •fames, some* four years ago. found a reef with a depth of fifteen feet (approx.) ol this shale in this valley. Many specimens of so-called shale have from time to time been sent from this locality, but no record has been made ol the correct specimen having been sent: tor analy-

A SCENIC PARADIS!

OEPXIN'G UP WEST COAST

COY KIIXMENT ASS I S'TA NCR SOUGHT.

(Ermu "Otago Daily Times," Keb. 10.)

Ihe southern districts of the West Coast of the South Island are lamed for their magnificent scenery, but at present means of communication are insuflieient to open up some of the most charming beauty spots. A scheme is being organised by a settler ol southern West land, as well as ’tourist companies, to obtain Government assistance in forming a load Innn Waiho river to the head of Lake Vanaka. It. is said some of the lines! scenery in the Dominion is to he seen on that route. At present only a bridle track exists but it IS thought that if a gap of seventy miles were traversed by a road suitable for motor irallic, large numbers of tourists would he attracted In the district. The route cuts through steep gorge country, and is marked by numerous waterfalls. It is the heart of the deer stalking country, and trout abound in the rivers. In addition it, is ,'.limed that the road would open up I relitaido dairying, timber and pastoral i, mint iy end large flax areas. AMUSEMENTS. A public- dance and euchre was held on Feb. gist, in the Public Hall. There

nas a. lair nun.her present. Useful prizes were won n> I'ciiin’.i s : Bailies, Mrs ,1. Harris iir.sj. end special prize, a silver spo.ul d.umlcd by Mr Bizz.nrd, jeweller, (. iiristehur li; Mrs Cowan, sour., set ond; gem-, Mi Josh Harris, first, also special prize donated by Mr Gizzard, Mr Din. Nolan second. A dance followed, being an enjoyable finish to the evening's entertaimeiit. Mr I’. Nolan undertook the duties of M.C. smcssfully: Miss Freda Scott, gave a recitation. Mr Nolan also recited and Mr A. Co wan gave a song " 1 do love an egg for my tea.’’ Quite a number of residents leave after Faster to visit the exhibition. Heavy lain and Hoods occurred cm the 22m1-23rd, nearly three inches of rain falling in one night. Messrs Nolan liras are putting under a. quantity of ensilage for winter use. This method of storing winter feed for West Coast climatic- eouditions is to la: recommended. Two ladies, with them an Otago guide, crossed the llaast Pass into Westland, arriving at the llaast accommodation house on the With alter spending seven days c.n Lite road, partly owing io weather conditions. This delight I ill trip can he undertaken in tv.o clays under normal conditions. The party laid to camp cm Thomas Bluff otic night wlimi only a few miles from the llaast accommodation house, and il took the party tint iI three o’clock Ha- next day to compilete the balance. An organisation is afoot whereby efficient guides, accommodation and horses will he available for the tourists, which will probably he eventually controlled by the White Star Tourist Service's. No comineneenieut will he made until next season. Such an organisij--1 ion will living all the West Coast beauty spots within easy reach ol all classes of tourists and travellers.

A recent. telegram received reports Ibe search party into Martin’s Bay for tin* missing parly found Alelvcn?.i; s well. bill no mention was mini*.* t-.: nine; I ii • ol lmr t lirt-t* moil. Tim tola! rainfall regelered at tin* local nm;:"'ro|ooioal station lor tin* month ot February i-- In.fit inches with inn days more ye! to resistor, showing aii increase on last month of exactly one inch. Rain fell on lifteen days ami there was less sunshine than hist mniit h. A PAINFI.'Ii ACCIDENT. OK IK l. Feb. 27. One of the two ladies mentioned above met with a painful accident v, ode coni inuinp; their journey on from the Uaust yesterday, in tile vicinity of the " Iron iiiil,” on the Alain South I load. While sera ill bli no round a fallen tree lyinor across the track the unfortunate rider jell Irom her horse and down tin' sleep hank. Stic received a severe shaking, hut no hones are believed to have been broken. The paiieni will he compelled to rest at the (Government lint lor a lew days, and provisions for iler star there have been sent from the I hast. Mid-day Feb. ‘27. Tim unfurl unale lady, who met: with the accident: cn route to Mahatnhi has had to he removed to the liaast. A party of ready helpers left here this day to carry her hack. A rough hush stretcher will he used. The accident happened in the vicinity of the Maori Hut. and not the "iron Hut." as previously slated.