IMPORTANT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1928, Page 2

IMPORTANT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

IN DUSTRIA L UNDERTAKING A' GROVE’S SWAMP.

Upon several occasions recently wo have made reference to the possibility of aii extensive clevelopinent in the flax industry in this district.

It is gratifying to he able to record now some material movement in the direction of substantiating the fore-casts—-the more so because we appreciate the extent, to which any such industry will contribute to the future prosperity of the Coast. \Ve are informed by Mr \V. J. Butler that he lias recently been successful in intersting the New Zealand Flax Lands Development Company in an area, of land hitherto hold by Butlci Bros. Ltd.

The block in question is known as Grove’s Swamp and contains something over two thousand acres. Experts who have inspected the area on belialf of the Development Company have expressed themselves as most favourably impressed with its suitability for flax cultivation.

The flax now growing on tbe better drained spots affords most convincing proof of the fertility of the area, and elicited from one of the experts the confession that, although lie had seen as good flax elsewhere, be bad never seen better quality flax. A distinguishing feature about tbe so-called swamp is that, having a slope or tilt of some G or 8 leet to the mile, it lends itself so rcadilv to drainage.

The experts were gratified to find tbe area absolutely free from blackberry, gorse, and buried timber. It was in anticipation of some such development that the Westland Powei Limited was persuaded to extend the limit of the licensed area so as to include the south side of tbe Hokitika river. It goes without saying that this source of power will bo ideal ; rebel ing the Company, ns it will, of the necessity for buying and transporting fuel. Butlej Bros. Ltd. have arranged terms for the transportation of material between Groves Swamp and Runtapu railway station by means of its logging tramway. From Buntnpu tbe finished product will go direct to tbe ship’s side at Lyttelton. When negotiating lor tbe disposal ol the area in question, Mr Butler stipulated that bis company should have reserved to it tbe right to acquire a considerable interest in the enterprise, preferring to be thus associated "ith experts in developing the area, rathci than attempting such an extensive operation in conjunction with then sawmilling operations, as at first had been contemplated. It is early yet to state bow soon active operations will be commenced; but we ni'e assured that no unnecessary delay will be permitted to intervene. We extend to the new enterprise our heartiest congratulations and best wishes, and at tbe same time desire. on behalf of all who have the welfare of the Coast at heart, to assure tbe Development Company of tbe goodwill of the people of Westland?