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Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1932, Page 4

There are signs that the milling industry is ieK tending into .South Westland. The special reason for the new enterprise is the demand for white pine. Australia is a growing consumer foir the .commodity as the dairying industry extends, and the feeling is that white pine will] be always in demand. The first white pine mill in the south its new being set up at Evans Cr ek. This ig nota large enterprise, but with a portable plant the operations can move from point to point as industry demands. A much larger e -.te-p'-ise is projected at bower Wataroa, where an enterprising Grey mouth firm has secm'red • Kwnskierahle milling rights. This will require to he a.more stable plant a,s ae-osn will be. costly at the outset; but there is said to he pfehty of timber to operate on within a profitable radius. This location, is north at Okarito, and in that region there is one of thiei best stands of commercial timber in Westland. The time cannot big far distant when that great

issetfc to tli'e south will bo milledEnterprising .sawnidlteiis nave spied out the country alllready, Sand a project is afoot to open a new road from Okarito Forks towards the Fine Mile beach for the joint purpose of tapping' the forest, and .giving road access ro tlue dredging operations at the Five Mile. This would be a. useful road to otpien up back country, and ah on id be avai.ed of by prospectors to test the', considerable area which would bu opened up. Further 'south, at the Waiho inere. iagain standing timber capable of prolific yield and beyond again, mo.e and more timber lands awaiting usand service. The timber asset of the south is very great and as. it is being realised it will be an aid- to development, the cjear d land coming in for ultimate settlement.- When the milling trade returns again to prospering times, South Westland must play a part in the general result. There are vast stands of timber throughout the district, and in time a use wil' be found for all of lit. The industrial development of the south would be helpful to settlement, and assist to ensure the producing qualities of "the laud, and at all estafeli hed southern centres to-day, the producers are not the worst off of the Westland community.