HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent' HOKITIKA, March 30. Lieutenant Conning arrived in Hokitika on Monday evening on leave Mr H. Friend of Okarito is at present in Hokitika on leave. Mr Bennett of the Social Security Office in Hokitika left on Monday morning for a military camp where he will undergo a special training C °Mr and Mrs J. Conning of Hokitika have received a letter from Mr C. H. Clemetson of London, who enteitained their late son during period of training in England. . P Mr N Friend of Okarito is visiting Hokitika. Mr Friend is one of the best-krown residents of Soutn Westland, and a keen advocate ot the improvement and opening ot UKarito harbour, which he contends will solve the transport problems that confront South Westland. Mr Friend is also* keenly interested in the establishment of the flax try at Okarito. He reports that many years ago, Okarito provided much hemp, and many ship loads> ot fibre were sent out of the Okanto harbour to the markets. Mr Friend is confident that the harbour at Okarito can be made one of the main ports of the West Coast, and with the vast timber resources of the district the harbour would provide the outlet, and save the costly transport involved by road transport to the rail head at Ross. People have become too road-minded in the opinion of Mr Friend, and in times such as the present, a moderate expenditure on Okarito harbour, with the harbour mouth controlled, and tne wharf in the right place might save hundreds of road miles. 'Writers many , years ago foretold the wealth of the forests of South ■ Westland and in their writing Okarito harbour was boomed as a great port. Many ports infinitely more dangerous than OKarito, even in its present state aie being worked by ships the .whole year round, and with the right type of ship, Mr Friend contends that the harbour could be worked even to-day. T'he bar at Okarito at present is in good order Mr C. W. Stoop, County Overseer, has returned from a visit to South Westland where he inspected the extensive damage to roads and bridges coused by flooding in the Okuru and Haast areas. Mr Stoop arranged for the immediate opening of the roads, but as some of the work will involve heavy expenditure, further investigation will have to be made. . For many years ships worked the Okuru river and unloaded their cargoes at the wharf near Buchanan’s. Then the Turnbull junctioned with the Okuru river, but with the recent heavy floods the -Turnbull has cut its own course straight out to sea. Ships will now work the Turnbull River, and the settlers, led by Mr W. D. Nolan, are constructing a new wharf on its banks. The recent floods in the far south are reported to be the biggest for the past thirty years, and besides much damage many changes were brought about. , . j Last week Hokitika again secured a surplus in National Savings. The sum of £257 5s was subscribed, exceeding the quota by £45 12s. _