Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1929, Page 4

Jt'st wind Westland lands can produce was evidenced von* anrdy at the TCokalnhi-Koiterangi Wilder Show. The district represents our oldest farming sett'emcnt. Kokntahi taking precedence ‘of the neighbouring area on the smith side of the Ivokntnhi

river. The settlers who pioneered Kokatahi were mostly recruited from mining pursuits. As the gold yield along the Ho.iuka river bank diminished, ihe mere adventurous worked their way up tlie river, and began to Ipy out the land, .sir Julius von Uaa.st, in 1 1 is intrepid days, also forced Ins way up siream in a Maori , anoo. 'I hose early visitors were im press.il with settlement, prospects, and oils 11 clearing began. I lie eariv sot..ers mm their poii <1 of severe struggle. Whom tlie glamour of the .ui...i.,_, ..assou, there wise very quiet uimo, ana not a ready market for pro■aiice. Rather was n a system of bartering in those first days, where Aokatalii produce found i.s way into Hokitika o.i reginar market days. That .Vila the beginning. It was a beginning, li./woior, wi n res lute settlers, and they kept on. -Most of the pioneers have pa .soil away, but there arc s'lue who I'emain and many who will recall those struggling days of yore. The struggle was not in vain. Ihe show this week indicates something of the f. undati n whi.li was laid, and the I‘ariii lands to-day are the real 'memorial of those earliest beginners. Many compliments were passed in ihe show room ill tlie all round quality of the exhibits. The display was proof of what the land could produce and the In ml is but typical of large lireas of Westland up and down the Coast. The district has good access., and service roads lead to the world’s markets. Thanks to the vrtlmr’s Pass tunnel, there is now a

or.ill bv which all surplus produce can e marketed where prices attract most. The e..pcrienco of this successful farming fully warrants the advocacy for the opening up of the Crown hands of Westland to the fullest extent possible. Roads and ronding have ’one much t> help the neighbouring fanning district, and tlie expenditure is justified by the results in production. Otlmr settlements in the district. are showing enhanced results following improved access and facilities for transport. The display of exhibits should therefore, educate tlje public mind as to the justice of the claims being put forward for more roads, [ilven if the cost appears large at the oiUset. there is the satisfaction that settlement will be established perman. ontlv and go on producing fop tlie benefit of tlie general prosperity. Tim ’iconic of Wes Mend should thoreUvo be unanimous in urging and asking for more roads to o n en up tlie promising settlement lands of tlie district.