WAIHO GORGE NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1926, Page 4

WAIHO GORGE NOTES

(From a Correspondent) The recent spell of fine weather has enabled the construction of the AA’aiho River Bridge to proceed more expeditiously, though, a few mere men could be employed than at present, and thus have the work proceeding on oath hanks simultaneously. The fine weather has also enabled the contractor for the’ cartage of material to bring forward the cement, the non delivery of which was holding up the work during the later summer and autumn months. "As somewhere in the vicinity of 100 tons of cement is required for ’ the erection of the two huge pillars and the grounds anchors, the magnitude of the task for the few men employed can more easily be imagined than described. The pillar and anchor on the North bank are now almost completed in the concrete, the former having to he excavated for 16 feet under the bed of the river and afterwards refilled with the cement mixture to make the solid concrete foundation. Messrs Sullivan Bros, of AVehoka, contemplate the erection of an up-to-date hostelry at the junction of the Alain South Rood and the Fox Glacier

track and with this end in view they have purchased a large quantity of the pipes formerly used by the. AA’aiho Sluicing Coy. These are now being brought over the AA’aiho River . and later are to bo taken by motor lorry to YVeheka, for the erection of a sawmill.

'The proposal is to utilise the power of the" Clearwater Creek adjacent to the proposed hotel site to drive the sawmill cutting tho necesary timber for the hotel, etc., and later to utilise the power for electric lighting of the hotel. The task is a. considerable one and the promoters are to be commended for their enterprise. South AVcstland will send north, a large quantity of fat cattle this spring and early summer. The graziers in tho AA’aiho Volley alone have somewhere in the vicinity of 450 head, while AVchcka and AVataroa have large drafts.

The annual sports were held in line weather the chopping events being keenly contested. Tho handicap underhand chop produced 22 competitors, the local chopper ATr L. Williams annexing both this and the upright chop, and although conceding 20 seconds' in the former, the winner of the double at the recent Dunedin Exhibition carnival of axemen, chopped with a Gloaming like-persistence. Evidently t’lo local handicappcrs have not yet guaged this axeman’s performances. For the first time in Westland’s history a settler of South AVestlnnd is contesting the vacant seat on the AVcstland. Land Board, and your correspondent is of opinion Tt is high time the southern .district from Ross to Cascade had more representation on the Land Board. .

The weekly 1 euchre parties ore again being held in the AA’aiho Memorial .Hull each Saturday evening. On the 19th some forty players took part, the. ladies prize being won by Afrs F. AV.yGibb, and the gent’s by Afr A. C. Graham.