THE WEST COAST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 6

THE WEST COAST.

A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK

VIEWS OF BISHOP JULIUS.

Some interesting remarks regarding the progress, both general' and ecclesiastical, of the M ost Coast portion of his diocese, were made by Bishop Julius in tho course of qn interview’ yesterday. Bishop Julius has just returned from his annual visit to the Coast. His Lordship visited tho South Westland portion of the diocese first, aud found that part of the country developing extremely well. The dairying industry in particular was going forward, tho chief difficulty at present being apparently the want of men. At Bari Hari and Watnroa, in particular, dairying was proceeding extremely well. Tho next stage of the tour was tho YVajho Glacier. *•' Here,” said Bishop Julius, “I held confirmations and baptisms, and candidates came on horseback from forty miles to the south. Ono plucky old Maori woman, the mother of nine children, and her husband, brought a four months’ old infant with them from a distance of forty miles.” Next morning his Lordship celebrated Holy Communion, and there u T as a' wonderful attendance from all parts.

‘‘There is very little gold mining in this district now,” Bishop Julius continued. “ The place also wants developing from the tourists' point of view. The hot springs, a very notable feature of tile place, arc nearly choked up, and fearfully dirty. In fact, they aro left entirely to the tender mercies of tho tourist. I think that if a charge were made, and the place were put- under tho care of the hotelkeeper, or somo other person, there would be a vast improvement. Before long, motor-ears will bo running down there quite freely. At least two more bridges are required, but tho road is, generally, quite excellent. “I found Ross, sis usual, full of hope,” continued his Lordship. “ They told me that there was a good reef in prospect, which was assured to be a straight-going concern. Also, I found that limekilns were about jllo bo established—there is limestone in plenty—while a large sawmilling company has also started work. Ross may be better still if it is allowed to develop without too many wild-cat schemes.”. Bishop Julius found Hokitika also hopeful, relying tnaitih for its progress on what is locally known as tho ’‘ Hole in the Hill.” “that I might explain, is the tunnel,” said his Lordship with a smile. 11 For some reasons, not Understood, of course, by strangers, it is said to be going to bring prosperity that way. The said hole, I might add, is expected to connect its ends by Easter next, though it will probably he another year and a half before it is lined and pitted.”

Tlie onlv placo Bishop Julius found without hope was Kumara. It had, he said, made a gallant struggle for existence, but there was nothing left on which it could built its hopes,-and its population and institutions were rapidly disappearin';. ’“Even its hotels,’ added the Bishop, with a smile. On-tlie whole,'Bishop Julius was well pleased with ihe progress made, especially in the south. “I would like to point out” 1m said, “ how from tho beginning, in the days when the rivers were uabridged, and roads unknown, and drowning was the favourite mode of passing- hence, the Church cared for her people in South ‘Westland, and there was no ono else to look after them. Of .course, this is changing as tho population grows, as the rivers are bridged, as civilisation is extended, hut the people in the south never forget the Church that cared for their soub when they were f<uv in numbers and widely scattered. Tho heavy draft upon my staff of elergv for chaplaincies at the front?’ his Lordship concluded. “ makes it exceedingly difficult for me lo carry on the work as I should wish in this long strip of country.”