The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1926 SOUTH WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1926 SOUTH WESTLAND.

The report of the County Chairman’s recent visit to South AAestland, as publisher! yesterday, did not strike a very optimstic note. Perhaps it was the weather conditions which had the depressing effect. Be that as it may, it is to be regretted that the impressions carried away, and communicated to the Council and the public yesterday, were not of a more encouraging character. South. Westland contains a great tract of country, in formation and general character, it is identical with the northern portion of the province. At things being equal, it might be expected that the southern district would flourish greatly. But it has to be borne in mind that the locality is remote, and the means of communication are not ready. The railway ends at IJo.ss, j and the service road at Wailio. The settlers who were energetic enough to penetrate into the district as pioneers naturally had t/?ie choice of the land, and in most cases it is their good fortune to hp well and favourably established along the river flats and settlements which dot the southern district

at intervals. Those on the land have made comfortable homes and are doing well. They have been content to stick to their task, and though reniot from centres which offered more in the way of every day amenities, have had their reward l>y assuring something of a competence for themselves and families. Southern settlers in the main are well established on their holdings, and the affluence they enjoy has come from a life’s struggle against many disadvantages and drawbacks, which bv doggedness have been overcome. The settlers who built up their homes in the south, and stayed on in remote places, well deserve the reward industry and pluck have brought to them. The want of the southern district is more population. It is difficult to provide for that nowadays for the pioneering spirit as ol old is not as rampant. Settlors will not go into the luiekhloek.s with any avidity nowadays to carve out homes as was done by the pioneers of South Wcstla'nd. But though this is so, it. must be “realised that year by year more produce is being sent out of tbe district. The .stock has increased greatly, resulting from tbe Canterbury market being available, and cuttle, sheep and lambs are exported in large numbers. The production of wool has grown with the increased flocks, while there is also the output ot butter and cheese, commodities which a few years ago were not available. The rich treasure of the south in regard to timlier resources is also worthy of account, while the possibilities of mineral developments are by no means remote. The South, too, has a great asset in its scenic glories, and the beauty of the lake, mountain, river and bush scenery will be, always a special attraction calling tourists and holiday makers to the South. But the question of maintaining pastoral settlements to the best advantage at such places as AYaitaha, AVataroa and O-kuru, said to lie declining in population, is of the highest importance. Tlie area and the value, of the land in those parts are still there, capable of continuing to produce stock and farm commodities in growing proportions as the land is filled. In the three localities pastoral pursuits have prospered, hut by degrees owing to families leaving there has been an aggregation of holdings going on. This would not be so serious as long as tbe land is being used to its capacity, but it is to be gathered from the County Chairman’s comments that such is not the case. In the circumstances the matter is well worth studying in some detail with a. view to a. remedy being found. There is no doubt as to the quality of the stock and produce coming from the South, and if the quantity can be added to, the prosperity o? the district will be more and more enhanced. In all the circumstances it should be hoped that a way will he found to improve local conditions, and so remove any ground for complaint in the matter.