MINISTER OF LANDS ON TOUR. WEST COAST POSSIBILITIES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 46, 24 February 1908, Page 7

MINISTER OF LANDS ON TOUR. WEST COAST POSSIBILITIES.

[BT TELEGBArn.— PEfiSS ASSOCIATION.] HOKITIKA, This Day. Ihe Minister of Lands concluded his visit to Wsstland this morning, having returned from South Westlaud last night. _ In the course of an interview the Minister stated that his expectations of the possibilities of the district were considerably exceeded, hiii visit having proved that the resources of the district were very satisfactory. There was every prospect that ns railway communication is bettered the district will prove highly successful for agricultural purposes. The erection of a bridge over the Big Wanganui ftiver he considered the most urgent work at the present time. Until it is completed any dairying industry on the large Wanganui flat cannot succeed without proper bridging of the rivers. This settlement should prove a highly successful one. Tho proposal for an experimental station in Westland would bo very favourably considered The district should prove a very substantial, feeder to the railway when through communication with Canterbury was made. The pastures in the various settlements were found in sp.'e.ndid condition, in marked contrast to tho area in the North Island recently inspected by the Minister. With railway communication completed and low valucis of land in companion with other parts of the Dominion tho Minister asserts that "a large number of settlers will pour into tho district, its future as an agricultural centre being assured. The Minister expressed the opinion that to secure a' wide range of railway feeders for the East- West Coast railway it tf-ould be necessary to extend the railway below Ross, connecting up tho large agricultural centres and tpiendid timber areas available there. The Minister left Greymouth this morning. The weather has been gloriously fine during the wholo of his stay