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Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1930, Page 4

The well-known settler of the Okiiru, Mir W, D. Nolan, is in town, having just returned from a business trip to Australia, Mr Nolan is a member of the enterprising Nolan Bros of the far south, and his, faith in the future, of the district is ns well. founded as ever., Nolan Bros hold a large tract of country south beyond Okuru—at Arawata and at the Casrade. But as Mr Nolan points out, it is, all land on which former settlers failed and the present holders are using the land, and so treating it as to prevent it being overrun with noxious weeds. Mr Nolan is still hopeful about the future of the Jack Son Bay settlement once it is opened up. He has been informed that the Prime Minister (Mr Forbes) has promised to set upi a Commission to report on the area in the far,south (as well as other areas in Westland) in respect to settlement prospects. This step will he approved generally, hut it is not advisable to delay action unduly. In the recent past, Ministerial visits were promised by both Reform and United Ministers, but circumstances so fell out that the trips could not be undertaken.' The Commission if decided upon should come to pass without any contingent doubt governing the possible fate- of Ministers. Mr Nolan along with others familiar with the rich back country off the Jackson river, considers that one of the finest settlements in New Zealand can bo developed there if the country is opened up, and proper communication supplied by way of Jackson Bay, where there are facilities for regular' shipping. The public in this northern district can well afford to take more interest in the southern area, which is the more progressive part of Westland, and which affords the greater promise.. There is a far-stretching hinterland, and in view of the prospering settlements already established in the, south, there is every renron to expect the far south to repeat the results as the localities are peopled. The land is there —considerable tracts of good land—'but there has been a, long period of isolation and access is still as difficult as lit was in the early days. With the I road now forging on to Bruce Bay and the project of Jackson Bay being opened up, there is every reason to ex-, pect settlement development whi' hwill' give greater assurance to the future. This subject is one of interest, not to say concern, to the whole community wishing to see Westland's position not only maintained, but also advanced. The enterprise and enthusiasm of Nolan Bros and other settlers in the South to advnnoe the district, is proof of what can be done by well directed efforts,. and should encourage the fullest support all round.