SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1933, Page 2

SOUTH WESTLAND NOTES

9 . A very useful road is being coni' strutted along the south bank of the Waft-aha river. Til© road affords access to several good sections in that locality, a:id the areas should be brought into useful . production. About 20 men mainly from the Buller district, are employed oa the road, and are making very good progress with the work. Mining possibilities attract prospectors to the Upper Wataroa., where several men are engaged. The country is rough and d.Hit-nib of access, but the beach-su yield their rewards to tho enterprising. Tho Loner Wataroa lias been prospected lately •with a view ro dredging the river bed, and encouraging results have been obtained.

Title to an extensive area has been secured. A powerful dredge is (suggested for the work, as the ground is very rough with heavy boulders. The Waikukupa has been a lure for the gold miner both in the past and the present, rand its upper regions are still attracting the prospector. One party,has been established high up on the water shed for some time, while others visit the locality from time to time to try their fortunes. The story goes that the fame of the Waikukupa spread even to the battle front at the time cf the Great War. Tn the dug-outs, a former South West-lander cold of the prospects lie had won, and some time after the W\u" one of his hearers organised a party and went south, only ito find that another party lia-d got in first, and taken up the ground. Thera were also stories of beach yields in the days of yore, at the mouth of the Waikukupa, and recently a Hokitika syndicate tried out a large beach area with a boring plant, hut the results were largely negative. 0 her areas have been taken up furflier south, towards Gillespies, and prospecting will follow. Recently it was recorded two young women were going to South Westland on ; a prospecting, expedition—which reads like a new departure in goldseeking. The prospectors', however, have , arrived, and under experienced male escort, and leadership, are setting into one of the famed localities of the south. It would be pleasing to learn that this fresh adventure opened the way to a new goldfield. Improved returns have of late marked the work of the gold dredge near Okarito. Those familiar with the beach prospects of The district, anticipate larger -weekly returns in the near future.

Tourist traffic to South Westland continues to be well maintained. In addition to tlie ordinary tourist traffic by the service cars which at present are running a daily service as far as Wehekaj a most .appreciated convenience, many private cars and camping parties are on the road. The two glaciers--Frnnz Jo.mf and Fox—

are the principal attraction, but the general hush and mountain scenery cannot fail to impress, Bird life just how is ah added attraction in the bush walks, for the bell-bird and the tu'is are to. be heard in constant duets. Campers- are finding many pleasant corners in which to establish headquarters, a favourite spot being a point where it is possible to see the sunrise tip Alt. Cook. Officers, of the State Forest Service have been . visiting the -southern district of late, chiefly in connection with forest ■ interests at Gillespie-s and Bruce Bay. At the latter place the timber on a large native reserve is attracting attention, and the timber on the area is to be apprised. For that purpose a camp will be established, and a party will spend some time in the locality. During this week, Mr M. McGavock, head of itlie Department, and Air Darby, local Conservator of Forests, have been visiting Bruce Bay and Maliitalii. If this timber speculation comes to pass, there will be a good deal of industrial development at- Bruce Bay. In addition to the erection of a substantial sawmilling plant, loading facilities will lie needed to accommodate the large bottoms which will be engaged in the timber trade. Ample rock is at hand, but a goc-d deal of work will be involved in the enterprise which will be an important development for the locality; As the district south of Wehek-a is opened up, the demand for improving reading -south will be more insistent. Good road access to the bridge sites at Fox and Cook rivers has been provided already, but the bridges are .lacking. The provision of the conveniences will be a great boon to tlie present settlers, and should attract more settlement to the district. As a means to further development of the more reports parts of the south, these bridges are highly essential, and their delay holds back the material progress of a district which has. languished far too long for reasonable means of transit of communication.

Beyond Cook river, file next bridge required would bo at Karangarua, where tlie bridge site is considerably above the ford crossing. Access roads to the bridge site have been laid off oy siiivoy, hut construction work is ■ not yet in hand. These access roads most id'imatcly come into use, and would lie a profitable location on which to utilise unemployed labour, which .at present is crowded so much about towns and cities doing work of little value for the benefit of the country as a whole.

Fin; as a master <is imt a visitor in the south, Imt a recent visitation at the Haast destroyed Mr Adam Cron’s large homestead, also destroying all the content,*. The oc-

cup-ants, including Air and Airs Saunders, and visitors, lost all their .possessions, including Air Saunder’s instrument. The loss to all concerned is very heavy. Everyone was absent from the house at the time, and the nearest neighbour did not- observe the fire till the house was enveloped in flames. The rise in prices for wool and lamb is every acceptable to t-he settlers. The export of lambs is now beginning and will be- substantial. The return promises to be more- satisfactory than for beef. There is a considerable quantity of wool to export, some of -lie settlers having been holding clips for two oi' three seasons past. The rise i». the rate of exchange will be very helpful to the exporter, Feed continues ju plenty right into the far south, and all stock is looking well. Good mobs of bullocks are ready to be moved north as markets are ready to absorb them. There is great capacity for a larger production in the south if the demand were equal to the -supply, and as times improve the southern parts must participate to a -greater extent than in the pa-st. The lower half at Westland with its natural features, and endowed as it is with such an extent of good land, can never go Lack. With the extension of the motor road further south, greater development will follow. The' country needs opening up. and will soon absorb a larger population, and give greater permanency to the future of Westland as a whole-. There., is room for greater expansion, and tlie opportunity is here for more and more development and assured progress, by supplying the markets of the world with prime produce.