SOUTH WESTLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1928, Page 4

SOUTH WESTLAND

PROGRESSIVE CONDITIONS. South Westland according to latest reports, is presenting progressive conditions generally, the district showing signs of progress in various ways. The district is a very important part of Westland, and its advancement means a great dcai to the rest of the province. The dairy farmers of the southern area have had a successful season, with perhaps a more promising one in the near future. Buyers of choose and butter output are looking, for business at advanced rates, and the farmers are in good heart at the prospects. The fat stock are now coming forward from the south. Herds were seen on the road; while many were in the paddocks waiting their turn for the sale pen. The condition

of the fat stock speaks well for the pastures, and if was noticeable how

green the paddocks looked. The provision of more and more feed is being recognised, and the plough and the fertiliser are both doing good work.

The sheep farmer is rejoicing too, in a promising lambing season, and it is anticipated more lambs than ever will come out of the south this season. General improvements about homesteads are also noticeable. Some new buildings are in hand, especially about the Hariliari district where several new homes are in course of erection. At Wntaron, also new homes are to he seen. It is apparent that the settlers are prospering and those who have gone out into the hack country well deserve their luck. Tho liostelries along the southern route arc all preparing for a busy tourist season. Several of the buildings have been enlarged of late. This is lfoticeable at Hariliari, Matainui, Okarito and Wailio Gorge. These are all centres where accommodation is required all the year round, and special provision is being made for a busy season. The very commodious premises at Waiho Gorge are a fine advertisement for the district and must have assisted very greatly to develop the tourist traffic. There is an unusually' fine hostelry now established there, and the comfort and attention provided for patrons makes it a very popular centre with travellers. One of the prime factors in developing the tourist traffic has been the motor services. These are on the road regularly and the travelling public are well catered for. The mail service conducted by Newmans Motors Ltd., leaves very little to be desired. This service lias developed rapidly and is so well equipped as to ho quite an asset to the district. Other services are conducted by Messrs Ilarcourt and Too boy. Both run regularly aiul receive their share of the patronage. With the bridging of the rivers now so well advanced, motoring has brought tho south very close to Hokitika. and the, local services fill all

requirements very satisfactorily

This season a further stage south will ho established l»y the provision of a hostel at Wofioka for tourists and travellers. The enterprise shown liy Messrs Sullivan Bros, in this respect, will surprise all who see the lino building now approaching completion, for the first time. It is a two storey edifice, over one hundred feet in length, has some forty-five rooms and will accommodate comfortably Itilly fifty people. Quite an ideal situation has been selected for the site at the foot of the wooded hills under the shadow of Mount Clonk, with Cook’s river flat spread out before the dwelling. Tho building is now nearing completion and will be opened in

November next. Expense is not being spared in the equipment of the bouse, and every comfort is being provided. The building will bo lit and heated in the main electrically. Just as Graham Bros, were the pioneers at Waiho Gorge, and have clone so much to advertise the district by n well conducted hostelry, so Sullivan Bros., some eighteen miles further south, are setting- out on a similar mission ot natural development. This enterprising snir'it is to he commended greatly, and when one regards the growth of the tourist traffic ti (lie district, wo must not fie unmindful of what ic lining done by tlri-e with tile loresight who are preparing to cater for the traffic as is l.eing dine, and who thereby do so much to advertise the district in regard t- a very natural olio '■ of the tourist traffic--the provision of first (la‘s aceniimddiitioii in out of the way places. The main south road is reported to he in excellent order. As tar as Waiho Gorge, it is a main highway, beyond that it is a Government road. Excellent work is being done over tho full length of the road in regard to maintenance, and the consequence is an excellent surface. Tho bridges are being built progressively. All the principal rivers are. now bridged, and the main streams are being attended to. It has been given out that all the bridges practically to Welicka, which are urgently necessary, will be provided very shortly. Potter’s Creek near Wailio will soon be in band—tho material being on tho ground. This will dispose of a crossing which blocks traffic in flood time. It is unfortunate that late floods did great harm. A considerable erosion took place recently near Wataroa. A new deviation is being constructed. Portion of Waikukupa bridge was washed away. This is to be restored. This and other minor damage ran into several hundred pounds this year, and naturally delays other permanent work. But fpiite a satisfactory ac-

count is given of what is being done, and with the programme ahead, the next two years will see all the formidable crossings pemoved from the danger list. The road beyond the AA’aiho Gorge to AA'eheka, a distance of- eighteen miles, is outstanding for scenery. The road winds >ver three saddles, Oemoeroa, AVaikukupa. and AVeheka. In doing so it traverses high sidelings, which overlook valleys of heavily timbered forest, backed by the snow peaks and fields of the Southern Alps. The whole region is of great beauty, for tho forest growth in all its varied shades of trees, ferns and under scrub make remarkable variety in scene and colour. Numerous water courses come i out of tho hill sides with glimpses of I cool sylvan scenes of unusual charm, j There is all tho glory of mountain scenery for a background, and the forests of AA’estlaml at their best for tho foreground. A (any travellers of world experience describe it as the most wonderful scenic drive in their knowledge, and this is not praise too high. It may he recalled that the Bt. Hon. Amery was specially struck by this wonderful section of mountain road and scenery which appeal's to be

unique even for AVestland. It is as though there were three or four Otira Gorges displayed in sections for four times the length of the Otira Gorge, for the whole eighteen miles are crowded with examples of nature’s handiwork.

Then, at the end comes the wonderful view of Cook’s river flat. A 7 iewed from AVeheka Saddle, stretches a veritable Promised Land. The ocean is visible beyond. In the bright sunlight the scene is a remarkable one. Leaving mountain, forest and torrent behind, the traveller debauches on the flat dotted with settlers’ homesteads, and with well stocked paddocks. Nearby is the new hostel, and this whole scene, a glimpse of nature’s wonderland, is dominated by Mounts Cook and Tasman, silent sentinels of the impressive scene presented below,