A PROLIFIC DISTRICT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 April 1931, Page 8

A PROLIFIC DISTRICT

During the present depression writes a correspondent a visit to the old gold mining town of Okarito makes one pause and wonder if it were not possible to alleviate the position which obtains in Westland and other parts of New Zealand at the present time. 'lhe activity in this almost forgotten district sin prises one and the unlimited resources of the district makes oim ’wondur why successive Governments have neglected .so long to exploit the resources and thereby create a national asset which would be reproductive for many years to come.

It lias always been nmvn that the flats and beaches adjacent to Okarito contained a large quantity of gold and only required modern equipment to cope with the water which prevented the early diggers from working the deeper levels. This has been recognised by the shareholders of the Okarito

Five Mile Gold Dredging Company and although nature placed many obstacles in their way, all these obstacles have been overcome under the capable management of Air R. T. Stewart, and in a few week’s time, one of the most modern dredges in New Zealand will he operating on one o>f if not the richest beaches in the world.

Prospecting is proceeding apace and it is conlidentally anticipated that another up-to-date 'dredge will he operating at Okarito in the near future. Okarito is also the hoiiq. d! Ilax around and adjacent to Okarito Lagoon where there are miles of firstclass Ilax and with water transport available this industry could la* developed with very little expense. From a .scenic point of view, Okarit has no superior, probably the finest view of the Southern Alps can he obtained from Okarito, and on a fine day tin* reflections in the Lagoon, with the lofty pines towering on the edge of the water is a sight not likely to he forgotten. Okarito is accessible from Hokitika by good roads and is served with a comfortable hotel, when* good accommodation can lx* obtained. The land adjacent to Okarito is ul first class quality, and produces some of the finest slock ill South Westland. It was a very pleasing sight when last mouth the s.s. Nile tied up to N. Friend's private wharf and look aboard bOO prime lambs for the open market.

That the future of the timber industry is centred in Okarito there is no doubt. The one drawback is the harbour faciliies There are millions of feet of both red and white pine 'from the sea coast hack to the ranges, and Okarito being the natural outlet, it is to he hoped that the present Gov ei'iinn/ul j when seeking reproductive work for the unemployed will pay a little attention to the harbour requirements and so be ready to cope with the demand which must assuredly come in the near future, and thereby assist to bring back prosperity, not only to Westland but to New Zealand as a whole.