SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1931, Page 2

SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

The south roads are reported by travellers to be in excellent order for this time of .the year. Many improvements are being carried out to the load generally. The main highway to Wailio is under constant improvement, widening and banking corners, and other necessary attentions, while from Wailio to Welieka the Government road is being greatly improved attention being given to every corner. Several new bridges and, culverts have been put in of late. Butler’s creek bridge finished ,a little time ago is a boon to motorists. On the lof September Miley’s creek bridge was opened for traffic. This a very neat concrete structure which does away completely with a had dip and curve. A bridge of similar design is to be constructed shortly at Gunn’s creek, Wataraa., This week the survey of the site for Detour bridge at Matainui was completed. t Between Wailio and Weheka all the streams excepting the Charwater are now bridged, and this is on the tapis. T 1 tore are excellent bridges on this route, and travelling;, is now easy. and safe by this road. Beyond' Weheka it is hoped Fox rive bridge will be started this year, a vote of £10,0(30 being expected. This crossing is oil the flew route of the Great South Road, and folloivs a remarkably pretty bush hill where bird life abounds. Some of the older bridges on the south road are now under repair, including Duffers and Waitalia bridges, .the- latter to ,be redacted. Extensive repairs to the main bridge at Kanieri are to be undertaken shortly also. Lambing is progressing well in South Westland, while there is a good iff - deal of fat stock ready for the market. Some *mobs are on the move north already, while buyers are pushing to the far south in search of fat stock. The homesteads generally look well, for paint, is in wide use in the south. The return cf 80 ounces from the Five Milo dredge at Okarito indicates the even value of the ground being worked. 4 telephone line is now be-ing-run from Okarito to the dredge t for the convenience* of working. Residents have great faith in the future of this mining venture,' and already Okarito is taking on a rejuvenated air. The hotel lias been enlarged, and the buildings are smartening up under the paint brush. A'The/sea beacliers in the south are h fielding ;a harvest of gold just now. •; Rich returns have been obtained at \ Bruce Bay and other favoured localities, while, on the Okarito beaches •v. even Hearty of two men from .Wellington securing a A pound weight of gold in a brief period. :■ The proprietors of the well-conducted i . hostels at Waiho and Weheka contin- ; uo to eater liberally for patronage, At Wailio/new scenic walks uro being «3»y. opened; iip-. That to Alec’a Knob feet) through bush country all srsjXLthe way, promises to he one of the S^M: J post in,. New, Zealand. Giiide Alack is ■respohsible for the statement the best CSX*, sfei-ing ground m ; the Dominion is at IS.' the.'Read of the Franz Josef Glacier. New walks are also to be opened at ■ 1 Weheka. The scenic gem in that loc- . a ’ ity in Lake./Mntheson and unspoiled ' pocket editidn. of all the bush clad lakes in Westland. On a fine day a row ..on the lake with a view of the Font-hern Aips reflected in the mirrowl ke. waters of the lake cou'd not be excelled. Messrs Sullivan Bros’ with 'sustained enterprise have just added a i) nv hall to assist in supplying fur- - ihfer ameiiities- for 4 the benefit bf visitors. The enterprise shown at both resorts by the proprietors is most com- " mer.dable. They are doing everything possible to make their locations attrac--live and hospitable, and they have achieved so much in that direction that in clue course they will command the success which their large ventures deserve. They are, certainly playing i heir part in the development of some of the outstanding attractions of Westiandi Every visitor to Waiho pays a visit to recently erected St. James Anglican Church. The building has a setting in the hush, With the .east window opening on to a glorious yieHv of the Frans Josef Glacier, and the snow-capped mountains-in the background. Such a setting is surely unique. The bui ding is striking in its architecture, while lie interior fittings are complete and in keeping with the general level of the striking beauty of the church. Services are held regularly and the debt on the buildings is now almost eliminated.