The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1927.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1927.

CONCENTER ACTION NECESSARY. Therr is so much praise being poured out just now about the scenic attractions of Westland, that the tide may lie said to be at the flood, and talcing advantage of the favorable set of circumstances, something concrete should be done to organise a regular and . wider advertising scheme to advance the interests of the district. The present season, with its beautiful weather of prolonged duration, and the flow of tourists and holiday makers, has manifested the possibilities. Oversea visitors struck by the natural beauty of the South Westland tour, and its unique attractions, have been busy proclaiming the incomparable situation of the district with its drives and resorts. Such a generous advertisement should be made the most of.

The oipnions of world travellers might well he noised abroad so as to arrest public interest and attention in the fare the country has to offer for touring parties. In particular, also, a demand must he made for larger Government assistance in opening up the tourist attractions of the district. Reference was made recently to the question of a motor road around Lake Kanieri. That is an objective worthy of attainment as a means to afford visitors a unique experience, and on that account, adding as it will to the special attractions of a locality so easily accessible, no effort should Ire spared to seek to induce the Government to do here what they have been doing for years in other parts of the Dominion, to open up attractive tourist and holiday resorts. The best way to go about this matter would he to initiate a conference of representatives of local bod-

ies and local organisations to devise the machinery to work up the requests and demands in regard to a line of action which could be determined upon. Of late the public bodies have been hybernating rather in regard to local demands, but that spirit of contentment is not satisfactory, and the lethargy should be thrown off and steps taken to create a public opinion and interest in matters such as are referred to here for the general advance-:

incut of the district. A hcaltliA' revival to that end ,would be of ultimate value to the community as a whole. Activities might well be concentrated also, in regard to improved access lor South Westland. The bridging of the rivers lias proceeded very sat.islaotorilv oil the whole, hut for the reason explained the other day, namely that llto Government promised a good road in the lieu of the railway extension, the demand ti complete or at ail events to provide lor the remainder or the bridges between here and Wailio on this year’s estimates, should lie insistent. also, the adequate provision of

money to earrv 011 improvements to the main south road by widening and regrading, as well as improving the visibility at various points should he

ti cardinal plank in the progressive policy suggested. Hie road from Hokitika to Wailio and the Fox Glaciers has been described by a world traveller as the finest drive in New Zealand, the scenery eclipsing the A\ auganui trip, and the attractions of AVaitonm. Here is reason enough to argue for special attention, and that commendation together with the Ministerial promises in the matter should make the way not difficult for active and sustained agitation. If a comparison of the expenditure by the Government, on various resorts to that spent in Westland were drawn up, the astounding difference would in itself he reason enough for departmental activity to make good the deficiency. There is every reason to he hopeful about the outcome, for the ease of Westland is so strong that it needs only serious presentation to the authorities to receive that justice in consideration which the facts will, make patent.