SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1932, Page 3

SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

The severely cold. weather last week was felt generally in South Westland. There was snow on the lower hills, and on Mt. Hercules and the Weheka road—the latter, particularly—the snow was fairly heavy. The main road south is in excellent order, and .ah the rivers-

ar e low.Concern is felt- at the probable inroads of tho Waitangi liver below- the main road bridge-. The stream in Hoods invariably inundates the -southern bank, and threatens to do considerable damage if not held in check. The costto do so would be considerable, but the alternative is to see the river attack endowment settlement, and ultimately .find its way into Lake Wahapo, destroying much good land en route. It -is generally considered that the primary cause of the danger is the confinement of the river at the bridge. In former floods, the river -showed a decided tendency to breach the northern approach but the approach ha-s been strengthened at considerable cost,: and the river is. now looking for a lesser point of resistance on the southern oank. In all th e circumstances ,it is certainly an obligation on the Government to attempt remedial measures, and plans have been prepared, but the cost of the work, and depleted Treasury delays the authority. - Stdl the work must not be delayed unduly, or “an j old -man’’- Hood may play havoc in the meantime. 1

The demand for white pine is. evidenced Ly the : fact that a sawmill is being established at Evan’s Greek settlement, where- timber will be cut off sections in that locality. Messrs Rrowr. and Nilsson, sawmiUers of Upper Kokatahi, are' now moving their plant to tne new site, and work will be started in due course. There are also negotiations in hand for white pine mills being established at Lower Wata-roa, where there is abundance of timber. At Waiho, the Domain Board, is busy with the - formation of an aeroplane landing The work is-under the direction of Mr P. Graham, Chairman of the Board, and good progress is being made. It is hoped ,som e of the flying men at Hokitika will pay a visit ter the -south, and test the landing ground. Captain McGregor :s expected Ito visit the south as soon as lie is adr'sed the ground is ready for landing.

Also, at Okarito, the Domain Board is busy with a large clearing primarily intended as a recreation ground, but which, when cleared and ilevelled will be a suitable landing for aeroplanes These grounds in the south will be -suitable for emergency landing places for planes from Australia. Guy Menzies flew over Okarito, and could have had a better landing there than the one Isielected at Herepp. Trips south by the Hokitika p'-ane should be possib e in the near future

: There is a note of eager expectation j about the .south in regard to the prospects of th» Gillespijs dredge, when it is established. It is reported the first load of timber for huts and stores, will be brought to Gillespies j Beach by th e m.v. Gael this week end. The prospects of the dredge are considered very promising. The fact that electric power has been decided on, means the harnessing of Lake Lytt'.e, which will be an interesting undertaking. The lake is situated oil a laige plateau which comes down iroin the hills. There arc three other .smarf! lakes in the same locality. A short tunnel will tap the lake, and ample fall for the generating head is possible. The electric line \yU’ probably be taken down 6ook river valley. With the . dredge in prospect there is urgent need for a road from the main south road to the .sea beach. The distance involved is about eight miles, which is at present covered by a horse track constructed many years ago. The widening of this track for vehicle traffic is estimated to cost at least £3900. The work is urgently needed to assist the enterprise, and the company has offered to contribute a substantial sum to the cost', but the Government is without funds to subsidise. When the Minister of Mines was on the ground last week, he suggested utilising the unemployed, and this is likely to come to pass at least in part. There are now 60 men on the Waiho-Weheka road, which lias been improved greatly. The major works are well advanced, and .some of these may be tran-fencd to the Gillespies track, and additions sent from the north.

■Reference- to the plateau above brings to mind the possibility of it being gold-bearing. In tinier past som e ol the creeks were explored by pioneer ■residents and a little* gold found, but no real test has been made of the locality. It is an extensive p-ece of country, dotted with three or four small lakes useful as a water-supply, if mining developed. Prospectors might do worse than try out such a maiden country. It is elevated like Rinm Flat, and might well be worth a visit from the Government geologist if the Mires Department -ends such an officer into the district. The tract of country referred to i- to the south of Waikukupa river, and his the black sand be'dies fronting the coast lime.

The proprietors of the Fox Glacier !i- ;i tel are doing thee part to eiicom-ge mountaineering. In addition to the Go’-ernment but on Chancellor Ridge, Messrs “Sullivan Bros, have had a but obe d on Garden ridge overlooking the Fox Glacier. It is now proposed to build a but in the vicinity of Don "his Peak, at an elevation of about 8.000 .feet which is pmbnblv tin* highest' elevation of a lint in this country. The hut will be bandy to P’o'ieer Pas-, a"d to several high climbs, avoiding the

long preliminary tramp from Chancellor ft lit, which is now necessary bnl'ore llv higher essays. The new bivouac wifi be a boon to mountaineers, and be i*r added 'attraction for hij{h climbing. o’h° material for tin* hut is now being transported over the first stages of th B route to the high 'situation. The /"■lof Guide, Frank Alack is in charge of the work.