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Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1927, Page 2

Tins afternoon Wostljii it 1 farmers will l)y extending a cordial greeting to tiioir East Coast friends from mklCantcrbury. This return visit of tlm trip made by the West Coasters lo Ashburton and Canterbury some three weeks ago, will afford the occasion for friend to meet friend and renew acquaintance. It is to be Imped the visitors will he favoured with that sample of choice good weather the district can produce—weather which it would he difficult to excel anywhere. The visit to this interesting part of the Coast 'is all too short to enable the travellers to get a real glimpse of our settlement and scenic territory. Westland is a considerable area in extent, and a wealth of scenic wonderland. In the short time afforded bv a brief to-mor-

row. our visitors are expected to form their impressions of Westland ! There is the possibility of much wrong being done in that respect for the time is all too brief to realise the true situation. It appears a very great pity that the itinerary does not include a tnr into South Westland as a means to afford a wider knowledge of Westland and its possibilities. In traversing Canterbury by rail, either across or up and down the Coast, there are easy facilities to view the smiling plain country, rich in pasture land holding great flocks and herds. In the Coast trip, the railway route omits most of the.settled areas, with the result that to see and note the possibilities in that respect, side trips by special conveyance are necessary. At the same time, as

far as the programme for to-morrow is concerned, it contains a crowded round of visits which will afford a glimpse of tlie settlement in the Hokitika Valley, of the scenic glory of Lake Kanieri, and the very successful gold mining venture at South Hokitika. These three visits will he each interesting in their turn. Our visitors will he able to compare settlement possibilities on the Coast with those in the plains of Canterbury. They will see a rare scenic gem in Lake KahTeri. which were it in Canterbury would !x> far more famous and patronised than we here have yet had the initiative to at T tempt. In regard to gold-mining our visitors will come to realise that- the golden age of the Coast is not a‘memory of the past—ret. In the rich and regular returns the dredge is returning,. there is the sterling evidence of the mineral wealth of the district—so much of which remains undiscovered. What our new friends will see

to-morrow in. tho brief time at their disposal will, wo hope, induce them to come this way again and see more of a district which a.s settlement grows and production increases, must more and more play a greater part in the national life of the Dominion.