The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1933. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1933. IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT.

Among the important developments of a promising character in South AA restland, one likely to give added permananey to the district, is the practical development of the La Fontaine swamp area. This was visited by the County party lately, and Mr Murdoch, Chairman, in his leport to the Council last week, drew attention to the importance of carrying on the reading so as to open up a most desirable area. Not only was Mr Murdoch impressed most favourably with the prospects resulting. from reading and draining the locality, but the residents also, familiar with the conditions, are strong advocates of the work. It is true a considerable- expenditure hflts taken place, but the effect of that is now apparent, and it will take comparatively little now to turn the former outlay into full profit by seeing the land in occupation. It would appear from the statements made at the Council meeting that the immediate need is to reopen the canal-like drains put in originally, and allowed t,o drop hack into bad repair, and to continue the construction of La Fontaine road to the river bed. A rough estimate of the cost is £ICOO, and this would push the- road access to a serviceable point, not- only for settlement (which would he immediate) but also for the use of the whitebait industry. The /Big (AVanganui river yields a prolific return each season in whitebait, and hundreds of pounds result. The road is essential to further this industry. There is also the prospect of a large milling venture at the mouth of the Big Wanganui river, for which North Island capital is said to be available. The road would be of the first importance in providing transport while the industry was being established. There is a great forest wealth in the v-alley of the- Big AA 7 anganui, and once milling is started there will be many years of work, In connection with the timber possibilities, it is interesting to recall that the road desired is named after La Fontaine, a Frenchman who some' fifty odd years ago, provided several rafts of piles for the* Hokitika protection works. The trees were hewn near the mouth of the river, and the rafts floated over tho bar, where the AYaipara picked up the rafts towing them to Hokitika. In the light of the present timber milling proposals, it is interesting to recall this early chapter in the history of the district. La Fontaine road has a special significance in the light of pastevents and the immediate possibilities of the locality. The road is level throughout, and cuts through in the proposed extension a large area of swamp land. Experience has proved that the area is drainable and land now in ooc-mation gives good promise of maintaining settlers. Seeing that the road in question can servo such useful purposes, and is on a line which will tend more and more to open up country as extended, it can he well understood that visitors are impressed with the prospects. ’ By extending La Fontaine road as far as funds will permit a useful developmental work for the benefit of the district will result, and both settlement and industry will be extended and facilitated by a good service road as suggested.