Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1920. FLOOD TIDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1920. FLOOD TIDE.

Ths tide of the district’s success

making for the flood. At yesterday’s meeting of the Westland County Council a very healthy industrial position was revealed. 'Applications were in for assistance for road works in connection with no less than half a dozen sawmilling ventures. These were situated in Rimu, Kokatahi, Kanieri and Arahura Ridings, and each application disclosed a readiness to undertake the work as soon as possiblo. The members of tlie County Council viewed the applications with favor, notwithstanding that if all the requests are decided to, an expenditure of something like £3,000 is involved. The members faced the demand very cheerfully, recognising that the applications meant increased industry and employment and in due season increased revenue to the local body. At the same time it was recognised that there was going to he increased wear and tear on the roads, and there would be heavy demands as time went on for repairs and maintenance. Still, it was recognised that the industry was an essential factor in the progress of the district, and the local body was ready to lend a. helping hand to the various enterprises. After considering the matter from every point of view it was laid down that for new works involving roads to special sites, the applicants should provide one quarter of the cost in labor or cash, and that subject to the Council being able to arrange the finance, it would endeavor to arrange for the rest of the money being provided. This is a considerable liability for the local body to undertake, but the general importance of assisting to expand industrial occupations is warrantry enough for the Council to act as it did. For on all sides there are complaints that there is a shoratge in production. Timber merchants coming here complain that they cannot secure contracts for supplies, so that it would appear there is room for greater production to meet the demands to provide increased competition, and so assist to maintain a more reasonable market-price for the commodity. The next move is for a better system of export, and it appears to be a thousand pities that soe effort is not made to ship timber direct from Hokitika to the various ports of the Dominion, or even to Australia. It has been

dono before, and it would pay to do again, instead of permitting the congestion now going on here, which causes thousands of feet of timber to deteriorate in value every year. The millers should be able to secure sailing craft suitable to the local trade, and the local steamer could he utilised for the towing. In this way the district would get more and more direct benefit from the industry. There will be always a large export possible from here to the North Island, and apart from the fillip the through railway connection to the East Coast will be, an export trade by sea will still be a necessity to meet the demands of other parts. So the flood tide should be taken advantage of; and utilised to its fullest extent.