OKURU NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1926, Page 2

OKURU NEWS.

(From A Correspondent.)

OKURU, Juno 5,

Mr John Faulks (Pembroke) and Mr John Wilson (Tawnntii) propose to visit the Coast next month via Haast Pass. A party of young men tramped through with pack horses this week and continued their journey northwards. Like many previous travellers they lost time through losing the truck in several places. They intend to do the round trip via Otira. The Greymouth tourist officer has recommended that the Department supply the Clarke Hut on Haast Pass track with a large well bound visitors book in place of the paper covered one in use at present. The contents of the old one which contains many written • varied experiences of travellers on the lass, is to he misted on the first pages of the new hook.

Ok urn is again almost without its male population ill the menfolk being away in the hack stations, on public works or rabbiting.

R AILW A Y F.XTENTION

OKURU, June 12. It is pleasing to note (he Government have decided to -continue the Central Otago railway from Cromwell to Luggnte .1 distance of 28 miles, which is 28 miles nearer Westland end adding more importance to the early commencement of the Haast, Russ reading scheme, which brings Southern Westland closer to centres, markets, etc. lfc is understood Mr Aysun. Chief Inspector of Fisheries, lias decided. .31 tor his recent vi>it. to Westland Rivers .to semi Atlantic salmon over for liberation. This is another move in the right direction and is long overdue. The writer can forse.B Westland leading in fresh water fishing within tlie next, few years, offering inducement t<> large numbers of lending sportsmen from all parts ol tbe world. OTAGO EXPANSION LKAGCF.

V pro-sessional meeting organised by ilio Otago Kxpnnsion League with local members of Parliament took place in the Somerset Lounge on Friday evening. Mr S. R. McDonald, President of the League presided over a large attendance. During the course of the meeting Mr H. M. M.ickay inferred to tbe Haast Pass road which had already been discussed at previous meetings. Mr Mackay spoke highß of the little known possibilities of South Westland, mentioning especially its gifted wonderful scenic attractions which could compare favourably with am- other district in the Dominion.. He also spoke highly ot its future, value as a dairying country and pointed out a lack of communication and other difficulties through isolation. He (Mr Mackay) hoped tljit the member would enlist the sympathy of the members of the North. They were very anxious that the Government should attend to the making of proper reading accommodation and to have the necessary rivers bridged for it was only by means of these im-

provements that the country c.ould he exploited to the full. The timber that was being cut down to clear the land was absolutely going to waste through lack of means of transport. MV I>. R. Sargood also spoke with reference to the Haast Pass load. The locality to which he referred was Olio of the best from a sporting and scenic point of view. They had rainbow, brown trout and quinnat salmon and lie understood Mr Arson v,as

hatching out salmon for liberating in the West, Coast Rivers. There were

immense quantities of timber for which transport was essential. If they did not get transport they would have the same experience as Wanganui. where immense quantities of

timber had been destroyed by (ire, simply because they had no outlet. The timber which covered a considerable range was of excellent quality and ho hoped that something would be done to utilise it to tbe best advantage. Tbe Hon. G. M. Thomson, also spoke of the enormous advantages to Otago with the completion of the Haast Pass road. He advocates a through communication with Westland and the Luggato railway was only a part of it. They must try and get a route through to the Coast as there was great possibilities ahead. A vigorous action oil the part of the Minister of Tourist Resorts is essential. The tourist traffic in the South Island was going to he a big thing and they should all do what the could to develop it. GENERAL. Mr Zane Grey has definitely decided to spend at least one month in the West Coast Sounds regions during his next season in New Zealand. Otago Acclimatisation Society are strongly advocating acclimatising opossums on a large scale throughout the province. HAAST PASS ROAD. (Extract from “Otago Witness,'’ J lino Ist). At the Otago Expansion League meeting the Haast Pass rending scheme was again brought up for discussion and reads as follows: The opening up of a road connecting Otago with Westland ' via the Kjtast Pass was fully considered, valuable information regarding this mad was being presented to the meeting from .Messrs W. D. Nolan and E. E. James of Okuru. This route has been aptly named Mac Andrew’s Dream as it v/fis the hope of this well known pioneer, to link no the two provinces by that route, as far back as the days of the great gold mining discoveries in both provinces. The project is being strongly advocated by those living in the adjoining districts and a petition to Parliament is being prewired, asking for an inclusion of a grant tor the purpose, to lie included among those allotted for roads and bridges. The executive decided that similar action was uecesrtiry in Dunedin and the secretary was instructed to issue the necessary petition for signature in Dunedin and Central Otago. With all the enthusiasm in support something should be the. outcome of the efforts of those who have so consistently urged and advocated this development work which effects directly, and to no small extent, both Westland and Otago, and the Dominion as a whole. COMMERCIALISfNG YENfSON.

A Wellington exporter of venison is in Otacro attempting to organise killing and transport of deer meat for export. It is understood a trial consignment from Haast Pass is oeing undertaken. The carcases will be shipned down the Lake, thence l>v road to the railway terminus a,nd Hrc expected to reach the freezing works during the second day where the c.lipases will undergo Government inspection.