The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 22,. 1929. OF GROWING IMPORTANCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, APRIL 22,. 1929. OF GROWING IMPORTANCE.

Tin: 'Westland Acclimatisation and Tourist Society judged by its recent annual meeting, is growing in importance. Not only lias its membership increased substantially, but the Society is now out of the slough oi debt and in a position not only to help itself, but also to help the district very considerably. The suggestion mentioned in the annual rep :rt to set aside £(>00 to further the opossum industry, (indicates a desire to do practical things if the Government will give permission to liberate the valuable iittle animal in suitable bush country in the backblocks. The idea that the opossum is harmful to bird-lile iftems to he well exploded now. The .eports on all sides indicate that birdlife all along ’the Coast is increasing, ■mil Ibis is attributed in the main to the fact that the opossum trappers are accounting lor thousands ol stoats, weasels and hush rats each season. These vermin are I lie real enemy to liird-lil’e, and I he clearing up which is toing on, is having a very satisfactory result indeed. At last week’s meeting the members nianilestd a keen interest in the election ol the K.veeutivi 1 for the year. It would appear I bat there are eertain interests to eare for, mid keen supporters were forthcoming to that end. The whitebait industry, it is feared bv some, is menaced by foreshadowed regulations, and the Government is being asked not to enforce any restrictive rules on the industry until there is the opportunity to study the proposed conditions in advance. The industry is a. valuable one, and provides lucrative employment for a great number of people over a seasonal period. Tt. is very much like the opossum industry in that respect, and the efforts of the Government should lie to foster rather than hinder both industries Judging by the public expressions of the Ministers in the now regime, there seems to be every prospect that the fostering of the industrois may lie hoped lor. Another element at the meeting was the snwmilling industry. Here, again, a highly important industry—the most important the district has—is a fleeted by the sawdust q lies lion. There is the fear that ardent fishermen might ndont measures of a restrictive nature which would great.lv hamper the industrv and certainly add to its overhead costs. So far, however, the Social v has not been unreasonable, and with the co-opera-tion of the millers in see in*' tint H»o privilege of dumping sawdust, in streams is not abused to the serious iniurv of till' fishing industries, satistee.. | lory relations should he retained. In the choice of a mov committee, ea-b section is represented, and wiih H>o use of a little coinnc'ii sense and the practical leadership of an independent President, the year should pass snioothil V and to the satisfaction of all concerned. It must he a great relief to

the members to liitd the linances so healthy. A large credit balance has been accumulated in the main from opossum royalty. Very rightly a substantial portion is to he reserved to further the opossum industry. More is to be done in the propagation of fish and something in helping reading about scenic resorts. It is a very practical way to utilise the funds, a judicious expenditure should be ot assistance in helping the district. Westland needs all the ln-lp it rail get. For far too long it has been outside the general route of traffic, and overio ikcil. Not till the Arthur’s Pass tunnel was accomplished cl icl Westland have a chalice to come into its own. 'I he people hav. d me a great ileal to heip themselves, and in at dimatisation and tourist work much spade work has been done here. That good work will he carried on the better now that the Society is in a more abluent position.