The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1930

Hokitika Guardian, 17 September 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1930

THE PROSPERING SOUTH. Reference Ims been made to the gold-mining prospects of,South \Vest.and, and much could be said of ns wealth in regard to tlie great storage of timber. Okarito haruour presents possibilities for a large export trade at a not unreaonable cost, if the railway into South Westland, is not extended. All the way south from Ross, the present terminus of the railway, there are great stands of timber, the wealth of which may not accrue unless the railway is carried further, or private enterprise, is not encouraged to build feeding , lines. Private enterprise has done a great deal , in that respect already, and a private line extends practically as far as Lake lanthe, which enables a very large area of forest 1p be jnilled, This subsidiary line hap beep a valuable feeder to the Government line, US well ns assisting tq provide a lucrative avenue for labour. The private i no has shown hi a practical way the great industrial value of milling to the southern area affected, and as belqw and beyond Lake lanthe there is a succession of valuable , forest land, it becomes a question what is to be done by the State in : securing the wealth of the forest for , the-good of the country. Some definite pronouncement should be made as .regards the policy affecting the future of railway extension in the .south. Recurring again to the facilities provided by nature tor a harbour at Okarito as a point of export of the remarkable stands of timber in that locality and radiating north and south and east of the port, there seems to be little doubt that the time must come when a harbour and milling scheme will be developed f°r Okarito. If the timber is to be saved for use, and not to be destroyed merely for settlement pursuits, an early move should be made to disclose what is in the Government mind on this very important matter. Great wealth is to be won from the timber, while the commodity is growing more and more of importance to the Dominion, It is true that the authorities are providing a good main highway south. This extends to the Waiho, while to Weheka there is a good Government road, a work which is l>eing carried further south n°' v — slowly but definitely. These reading improvements are justified by the prospering conditions south, and the magnificent stretch of scenic country opened up. As regards local conditions. the settlers are all living in comfort and sending out more and more produce. The stock raised both in quantity and quality has an upward tendency, and the settlers have been helped in no small measure by the betterment of the roads, and in particular the 'bridging of the rivers. The latter has assisted to remove the long complained of isolation. 111 this mechanical age, motor trad ion is doing much to advance South Westland. It has revolutionised the transport of small stock such as sleep, lambs, pigs, etc., and bringing the district into very direct touch with the large markets of the Dominion. The good roads south have helped the district greatlv. The better roads and the bridging of the rivers, has done much also to encourage tourist traffic. For over one hundred miles south now, there is an all weather road, all streams of any imTvortance being all practically bridged. There is likewise a well surfaced road. It is being widened, and. improved

throughout, and -ill© safety precautions taken with regard to road signs

and fencing means that an average speed.of twenty-live miles is easily practicable. A journey formerly responsible for two or turn; days travelling, may now be accomplished in four or five hours. This saving of time is of great advantage to those concerned. It ensures the saving of money also, and adds to the general prosperity. The authorities responsible -for the roading are certainly doing good work and must he earning the thanks of the southern community. The value of goods roads is well evidenced by the growing prosperity of the place as the convenience is jk uhed south. There is still a great area 'of producing and settlement land to he brought into greater use south, with room for more settlement and greater production. The opening up and the development of the southern territory justifies what is being done for it, for there is a settled, contented population adding steadily to the prosperity of the country. That is the best reward for public expenditure and should result in more attention being paid to a locality where results so well' justified it.