The Possibilities of Central Otago.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1985, 23 April 1906, Page 5

The Possibilities of Central Otago.

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. Mr G. Laurenson, M.H.R., who returned to Lyttelton last week from & deer-stalking expedition in Central Otago, told a representative of the Chrißtckurch Prets that he was much impressed with the climate and potentialities of the Hawea and Central Otago district. He states that the Hawea Flat land, which can be bought for from £3 to £5 per acre, is producing over 80 bushels of wheat to the acre, " But," remarked Mr Laurenson, "as the settlers are over 70 miles from the nearest railway station, the fertility of the soil is of little use to them. I walked frem Hawea Flat to Cromwell, a distance of 36 miles, This country presents no engineering difficulties, and a railway connecting these two points could be very cheaply laid. " As to the scenery and the beauties of Lake Hawea, and the mountains surrounding it," Mr Laurenson said, * "I need at this time say nothing further than to state that it is in my opinion one of the most magnificently "beautiful districts which I have yet

seen in New Zealand. One can form some idea of the climate when I state that less than half an inch of rain has fallen in the district during the past three months. The chief characteristics of the climate seem to be bright, sunny days and clear frosty nights. Altogether, as a health resort, or a pleasure ground, I feel certain that there are few places in the colony that will be able to compete with Lake Hawea district when once it gets into touch with our centres of population." Mr Laurenson then went on to say that the great drawback to the country frem a sheep-owner's point of view, is the rabbit pest. " One station through which we passed," said Mr Laurenson, " paid .£6OOO to trappers last year, and sent down for shipment over 600,000 rabbit-skins. The morning I came down the Central Line one man was sending away, as the result of only two nights' trapping, 6000 rabbits from Omakau Station to Dunedin. The country simply swarms with vast flocks of rabbits. "When going along the roads they start up in hundreds beneath your very feet. From a sportsman's point of view, it is a waste of powder and shot to shoot them, as you could bag them by hundreds."