PREMIER'S WEST COAST TOUR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 200, 18 May 1908, Page 10

PREMIER'S WEST COAST TOUR.

SOME IMPRESSIONS. "It is six years since I was through the West Coast," said the Premier to a Chrisfcchurch "Press" reporter. "I found groat alterations for the better." After referring to the progress of Westport, Greynwuth, and Hokitika, and their harbour improvements,. achio'ved or contemplated, ho continued: —"I wasmoro impressed than ever with the wonderful resources of the West Coast,'which, I' think I am right in saying, are very much under-valued by many people, who not infrequently adversely critici-so the present and future prospects of that portion of the .' country. Having occasion to. look into the possible development of its trade, 1 I referred to the timber industry—its present and future potentialities. I find that upon the basis of last year's oxportations from tho West Coast, putting it at tho low quantity of 40,000,000 feet, it would take 69 years at the same rate per annum to clear the timber areas Jthat have been reported, upon as fit for milling purposes. - The estimated i|uantity of timber, in Westland available for cutting is 2,760,000,000 feet. When you add to ' this their ascertained coal fields, with tho practical that there are others yet unexplored, you must come to tho conclusiou, that the future of tho West Coast must assuredly be a good one. The population showed an increaso last census. Lands which were formerly not available, on account of being bushed, have since been found suitable for land settlement purposes, and are now in occupation. The dairy industry is being ~aotively developed. There must, in my opinion, be a steadily increasing trade from tho West Coast, which many people in this country believed had seen its best days when gold mining commenced to decrease. "From tho West Coast I travelled over- ' land to Nelson, amd I was equally impressed with the great' changes that land settlement ' had brought about over portions of the oountry I passed through.- ' During the-last. ; few years there have been upwards of 300,000 acres of land taken up for settlement pur- ' poses between .the Lyell, ai(d ,011 through .to Murchison. In conversation with many of the, settlers who had goiio,'on"'the landf : I V was glad ,to learn that general success'had attended their efforts, while'; many of them A had done well. . ' -

"I have comd away from tlie West with a better knowledge of it than 1 had formerly, and a recognition of'the-fact that the enterprising spirits-who went through and stuck to the locality- have 'jioti'dono so without good cause, from the'.standard of eith'er the utilisation of the. natural re- , sources of the district, or—ffioreithan,all— the occupancy of the land." ' v ;

It is notified by advertisement elsewhere in this issue that the Friends' Hostel,'':4i- Murphy Street, Wellington, can accommodate ■: lady students for the,-ensuing' term. ' ■ Under the auspices of the Waterside Athletio Football Club,-an inauguration dance was held at the Druids' Hall on Friday evening last. Musical items were given by Messrs. • Brett, Jones, and Clarke, and a step dance by Mr. W. Merritt. The 'music was presided over by .Mr. C. Thorne, ilate of Dunedin," and gave-entire satisfaction. Messrs. G. Farland and' Wm. Merritt acted as M.C.'s. s

The attention, of poultry exhibitors is directed to tile poultry division,, under the rules of tho North Island Poultry Association at the National Dairy Show,' to be' held ; on. June 23, ,24, 25, and 26, at Palmerston North. Liberal • cash prizes . and . special' .'champion prizes are offored : for competition, ' ranging from £1 to .£5; also special tests 'and'prizes for the Hogan egg-laying test. • The judge for the poultry classes is Mr. 'J. H. Shaw, of Christchurch, selected by- tho New .Zealand Utility-Poultry Club. .There is every prospect of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral' Association .having a very successful show. .. For prize' lists ;and particulars persons interested are directed to writo to Mr. J. C. Lane, secretary. Box 85, Palmerston North. V ' v l ' v