THE WEST COAST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14975, 22 April 1909, Page 7

THE WEST COAST.

VISIT OF THE TIMBER COMMISSION. MR ELL'S IMPRESSIONS. Mr 11. G. Ell, M.P., returned from the \\ost Coast last evening, and gave a " Lyttelton Times” reporter an interesting account of his visit there as a member of the Timber Commission. lie said that with, the object oi securing a full knowledge of tins possibilities of Die timber industry in Westland tho Commission went as far south as Ross, but was prevented from penetrating tho great timber areas of southern Westland on account of the flooded, state of tho rivers. A great number of the sawmills in Westland were at present idle, while others were only wo riving hall-time, with the result that there were a great number of men out of employment. He quite appreciated tho anxiety of the West Coast people regarding the introduction of Oregon pine, but the Commission would, of course, have regard to the whole of tho dominion, and nob to one locality. There were undoubtedly vast areas o-f bush still standing, but he considered the bush was the best crop the laud would ever carry, with tho exception, perhaps, of some of the river banks. The lulls were for the most part very broken and precipitous, and would bo of comparatively little use for either agricultural or pastoral pursuit^. Referring to the State Collieries, Mr Ell said that the members of Parliament on the Commission took occasion to visit Point Elizabeth. The collieries appeared to bo fitted out with an up-to-date plant, and quite a large number of employees were now housed in comfortable cottages, erected by the Gov- • eminent and let at 8s a week. There were at present about 800 men employed in the State collieries and sawmills. Complaints were made by workers, who could not get Government cottages, that they had to pay outrageous rents for houses, situated often five miles from the collieries. The Government was now opening up another State coal mine about one and -a half miles from tlip present workings. In Grey mouth rent ranged quite as high as in Christchurch, and living for the workers was much clearer. As an instance of the high cost of living, Mr Ell mentioned that bread cost 8d per loaf, and in some of the mining districts as high as 9d, while the minimum price paid for meat was Gd per lb, and groceries generally were more costly than in other parts of tho dominion. The West Coast undoubtedly suffered very severely as a result of its comparative isolation, and it was no wonder that tho people of Westland viewed with much satisfaction the completion of tho Midland railway. Mr Ell was very enthusiastic in his praise of tho magnificent scenery, and said that he felt satisfied that the people of Westland would do well to conserve their great scenic beauties as one of their best assets. There was a great deal of broken country of little commercial value, which, if preserved in its nativo state, would in years to come be increasingly valuable from a tourist point of view. He had no doubt that when tho means of access between Canterbury and Westland were improved, largo numbers of people would flock to the West Coast as a holiday resort. So far as settlement was concorned, from personal observation and inquiries made on the spot, ho did not consider there was much likelihood of the West Coast offering any inducements for land settlement, because tho soil was generally poor in character and tho climato was not very favourable, particularly for agricultural expansion. There were only a few sheep and cattle grazed, and these were barely sufficient to supply local requirements. In practically all eases where the land had been cleared there was a vigorous growth of rushes and scrub, and nothing better. Settlement round Greymouth was practically at a standstill. _ Questioned as to the mining possibilities of Westland, Mr Ell said that there was doubtless great potential wealth in that direction, but unfortunately the mining industry was nob in as prosperous a state as could be desired, and was not employing nearly the number of men it formerly did. The great work of unwatering tho Ross goldfields was now well in hand. Eloctric power was being obtained from Lake Kanieri, and tho generating plant was now in course of installation, and the main shaft had been cased for pumping operations. If the company which had the work in hand succeeded in getting rid of the water, it was believed about seven acres of rich alluvial deposits would be tapped. That would give employment to a large number of miners, and would doubtless restore tho town of Ross to the same high state of prosperity it knew in tho early days of mining on the West Coast. ■> , Mr Ell said that the majority of the members of the Timber Commission had gone to Wellington by way of Nelson,' and they would all meet again in Wellington on Monday and proceed to Taihape, whore the Commission would hold its next sitting. * Mr Ell will leave for Wellington tomorrow evening.