Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30th., 1929. WESTLAND’S ANNIVERSARY

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 November 1929, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30th., 1929. WESTLAND’S ANNIVERSARY

ANNIVERSARY Day was not really instituted to make a bankers’ holiday,' although such financial institutions are now the chief observers of the occasion by declaring a vacation. Local tradespeople,’ perhaps, wish that the banks’ district patriotism was less demonstrative, seeing that St. Andrews’ Day is also made a day of rest from banicing transactions. Westland is thus deprived of banking business facilities from Friday till Tuesday, which must be inconvenient to many. Even though Anniversary Day passes practically unheralded and unsung by the general community of Westland, it is opportune to retain the memory of the Province’s foundation, and to reflect on the progress achieved. Westland has had its ups and downs, and some hopes have not materialised, but, on the whole, there is more room for optimism than despair. The main industries, coal-mining and timber, are experiencing a busy time, and farming is more and more coming into prominence, especially in the South. The making of roads and the bridging of rivers and creeks goes on from year to year, with consequent development of settlement, until, today, it is possible to travel from one end of the Province to the other, in ease. Greymouth and the long settled North Westland are apt to overlook the potentialities of the South, but time is working changes, and the main wealth of the Province. may one day be centred in what is now regarded by many as the backbloeks. The South is something more than a .tourists’ paradise. Addington market Supplies regular proof of this, and when the area is completely roaded and bridged, even if the railway line is never much extended, South Westland must become a great farming centre, peopled by the best type of settler, and with possibilities not credited, by those who rarely stray further South than Hokitika.

Greymouth has cause for rejoicing on the Province’s birthday. Each year brings expansion, and, to-day; there is no other town on the West Coast within sight of its size and wealth. There is still room for improvement in some respects, but so long as the progress is sure, it does not matter so much if it chances to be slower than some enthusiasts wish. The road to Westport should be completed ere next Anniversary Day comes, and. this additional thoroughfare must bring further grist to Greymouth’s mill. It would be well if new industries could be attracted to this district, but, meanwhile, those here already should be helped to flourish, by preference when purchasing, wherever practicable-. Hokitika has had quiet years of late, but the prospects are brighter to-day, and other Westland townships flourish. The Coast’s, former “isolation” has now been abolished, the opening of the Otira Tunnel and the marvellous development in motoring working to that end. Certain previous Coast characteristics are not so strongly evident to-day, through this increased contact with the outside world, and the older generation finds occasion for regret in this loss. Generally, however,\ the community gain, has been greater than the loss, and none would care to go back to the era when a journey to Christchurch, or to Waiho, was almost an adventure, and eer- . .1 <. 7 tainly an inconvenience. Westland

is justified in looking forward to many happy returns of its birthday, and if family loyalty were strictly maintained by the whole Province, its strength and wealth would increase enormously. This is an aim every individual Westlander should have at heart, and each should work for its accomplishment.