The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1927.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1927.

KA H MING POSSUMI.I'IfES. 'l'm? proposed trip of the Canterbury farmers to the Const lias prompted the ' question, what has Westland to show the visitors, which will he of interest to them as settlers P There is, in point of fact, a very adequate answer to the query, for the district has undoubted possibilities as a "rent pastoral country. Westland as a matter of fact has been described as a possible ‘‘second Taranaki” and this future attainment is within power of practical accomplishment, la a very admirable review of the soil possibilities of Westland, Air 0. S. Dalgliesh of the Ak l '*- eultural Department who has proved a very valuable public officer to the district, has described the present state of farming in Westland as being in the pioneer stage. This is undoubtedly so. Gold-mining up to very recent times held pride of place in the minds of the people, and the settler had to shift as best he could in his farming occupations. That stage is now past. In the present and for the future the settler must come into his own. Dairying has been established here on lines which assure success. The farming prospects in that respect are material enough to justify a vision of a “second Taranaki” along this Coast. The reciprocal farming visits must go a long way in helping a quicker realisation of the prospects referred to. Our farmers in their late jaunt to Canterbury saw much that was new and instructive to them. They saw farming along various lines, and being practical men they must have absorbed much knowledge to stand them in good stead in their daily work as time goes by. In the same way the advent of the Canterbury men will afford further means of useful intercourse ami a realisation of local possibilities comparable with conditions on the East Coast. Air Dalpliesh has told the farmers here not for the first time, that their holdings must have more attention and treatment. Both in regard to ploughing and fertilising more must he done, if

it is desired (as it must) to get more out of the land. 11 we consider Westland alone, there must bo upwards of two hundred thousand acres of laud In occupation between say liruce LlaV and the Arahura. rivet'; Tills tiretl is not held by :t. great many settlers, wit!011 suggests at once that the large holdings are not receiving the attention they should he in the way of cultivation. At the same time it can be

said that the stock produced or the pastoral products sent to market, are of Hist class finality, showing that even along, the lines as now conducted, tinland is la* ill g ju-nvi'd capable of producing K-lnins of high value. We hear it. declared over and over again that the land is the main source of wealth and production, and if greater returns are to he provided, the land must be worked (o better advantage to produce the enhanced returns. Advice sttcli as that tendered bv Air Dalglicsh should lie followed as closely as possible. and herds should he kept under a regular test. Itl ottr own neighbourhood Uc know what- a line valley the Kokiitalii-KoUet'angi disliict is. There arc prUliiHily ol).(Kti) acres there suitable For stock-raising and dairy farming. When the Canterbury farmers are here shortly they should lie taken up the side of Mount L’amelhack to obtain a bird’s eye view of a veritable promised land. Snell a glimpse will afford the visitors an impression of on.- valley only of Westland. A'et there tire many more to the South iw the line droVes of cal tie so cil ietl testify. There is every reason lor :i spirit of optimism about the pastoral resources of Westland - for the land is hero—ami given the settlers and the necessary enterprise, the produce will he Forthcoming. Another aspect to be impressed on our visitors is (till- coulpitrativclv low land values; While it i.s possible fo licCoinc a I 'second Taranakiit should lie pointed out that our kind values are but it tilth of till’ Valiu'S prevailing in tiie North Island. That is ;i very ilia-

terial factor for the mriming: settler. Land here is at a truer ami more stable value perhaps than any other part of New Zealand, which i.s all the more easy for settlers to increase the value of their holdings with extra treatment for their land. These points of view help towards an appreciation of Westland bind and its future possibilities nl regard to ipTierai settlement and priniilftioil: