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Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1932, Page 4

The expanse of producing country it South Westland, and the greater possible producing country jn‘that region, at present untouched, should beV encouragement enough for the Government to turn, more 'attention to ’ the development of the vast are a of Crown lands- awaiting attention. , The southern area has a prospering air, hand success of the settlements is proof- of what the country is capable of. The more the south has bue-n opened Up, the greater lias been its output. Settlement ih the hlain is Scattered; and south of the Waiho tile, settlers art few and far between. But of those established we do not hear of any walking off their, holdings ns is the lease in other parts of New Zealand. The fact that families are continuing' jn the south to the second and third generation indicates that the land is equal to family requirements, - and ■: is certainly worth more attention .from thq authorities to promote - furtlie settlement than is now the case. The advent of the motor has been a help to southern development, and if the arterial road were pushed on, greater results in closer settlement would follow. Where settlements are served with direct motor connection, the localities have flpul'ished, and the farms and homesteads present -an air of prosperity. The highway for regular motor traffic ends at but there is - still another half of southern Westland below that pointi. - A commencement has been made , with; road extension, and a considerable; distance completed at a large ecisifc,- ■ but section is- not usable by vehicles' because two bridges (the Fo-x and 'Qook rivers) are required. Were these two ci'ossings rendered safe for' vehicles, there wotild. be an; immediate expansion as far as.Karangaru a. There -another river " would be - encounter’d, and if. bridged, there would be. a level highway through-the enable tract of country were opened, scattered settlements at far as Mahitn.hi and Paxingfi);; If this cohsidup with good - access, there would be the immediate outlet for .considerable settlement.' The development of the South means much to this quarter of Westland, and .for that reason effort should be united an cl coventr ated to help in the desired direction, There is not any organisation in the South 'to 1 work for advancement, iso that obligation is thrown on this tetter equipped part of the district.