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Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1927, Page 2

Tim; immediate and future prospects of Westland seem to indicate that with the coniine; of spring, trade and production should take a substantial forward move, assuring brighter times all round. The man on the land rejoices because there has been a mild winter and a more settled spring than usual. Feed is hotter, and outside conditions for stock arc good. The dairying stock have wintered well, and the lambing season has been good. Stock prices reveal particularly good values of late. The recent sales for both fats and stores must have rejoiced the seller, while those engaged in dairying arc assured of a hotter price for butter fat this season than last. The cheese market is particularly promising, while the butter market, though fluctuating somewhat, gives hope of greater stability than formerly, and the dairyman is looking forward with some complacency. The produce from the land in Westland this season should aggregate considerably more wealth than last season, and this return spread through the community as it will be, should assure a measure of prosperity much greater than last year. Sawmilling has been under a cloud now for some time, hut the recent readjustment of customs duties should make itself felt in the near future. The checking of foreign imports should ho somewhat marked under the increased tariff, and that should ensure a greater demand for native timbers. If the wave of prosperity hoped for spreads all through the Dominion, it is manifest there must he a greater demand for timl>er, and local production must be affected favourably. In the mineral world wo have reports of more gold being produced, and there is the hope that that increase will be further enhanced when electric power is available with efficient plants to work localities which could not ho touched now lieeauso of the natural difficulties without water or drainage. Electric power suggests great possibilities for the future of gold-mining apart from the impetus it will give in other directions affecting industrial development. It is hoped the power will be in use by Easter, in which event there should be the commencement of a new and brighter era. The discovery of coal near Hokitika should take something of a practical turn in the new year. The location of the coal has been proved, and its extent is now a matter of investigation. That established and development will go forward, for there is a market here for the product. The tourist season is row opening, and it promises to be a busy one. Parties are now booking up accommodation for months ahead. The improvements to the roads and the

building of bridges is making transport- easier and certain, while the glory of the national attractions of Westland is becoming wider known. All these factors combined, gives promise of hopes being realised as to better times. What has been referred to do not exhaust the promising possibilities, for there are dredging developments likely to come to pass, as well as other aids to prosperity. The movement in land values is a sign of the limes pregnant with meaning, and the general outlook is such that the future can he looked forward with more confidence now than at any other time of the present year. A good season is ahead, and with the prospects brighter, it is not surprising to find business people more enterprising and those in the town, particularly preparing their business premises for greater service to the public at large.