WESTLAND NOTES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1715, 11 January 1905, Page 30

WESTLAND NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Xmas holidays have come and gone once more. Westlanders thoroughly enjoy their holidays. There are no half measures Avith them. All mining operations—^whether it be quartz reeling, alluvial, sluicing, or dredging—cease for a fortnight, the coal mines also, as well as the sawmills and flaxmills, close for the same time, and one and all go in for jolly good times. There Avere horse races held at the qnartzoj»oiis toAvnship of Reefton, and as West Coasters spend more money on totes and horse-racing than any other people in NeAV Zealand—on the population basis —'there were large numbers from all parts visiting that particular toAvnship. Greymouth had her aquatic sports, Avhich absorbed the attention of those who do not appreciate the racecourse. Kumara —the home of-the Premier—drew a large concourse of people to witness the excellent programme the good people had got up there to enliven the otherAvise monotonous proceedings which are characteristic of all digging tOAvnships after the gold has been extracted from Mother E!arth. The chopping and sawing contests, the prizes for which were very good, dreAV a number of competitors from all parts of the colony, and, of course, excited the interest of the spectators. There were a number of other events during the day, and as the Aveather was fine the visitors enjoyed the outing. At Hokitika the Presbyterians held their annual Sabbath School picnic outlie local racecourse. The Toaaui Band gave their service® to this function. All sections of the community, Avithout distinction of sect or creed, are invited to this yearly gathering, and mutual goodAvill is experienced.

This being a time of homecoming, sons and daughters from all parts of the colony, and some from the sister colonies, who Avere born and reared here, but have gone forth into pastures new, return at this time of the year to visit the home and scenes of their youthful days. Visitors from far and near are also amongst us, and the opportunity ie embraced to slioav them the beautiful lakes and virgin bush which Westland possesses. All Avho visit the enchanting lakes —Mahinapulii and Kanieri —are charmed Avith it® magnificent scenery. We are having our scenery pretty Avell advertised tioav, thanks to the proprietors of our illustrated papers, Avhich are considered to be superior to any papers published in the Avorld. The Westlanders thank the publishers of the Xmas number of the illustrated “Mail,” in Avhich are some

splendid pictures of West Coast scenery. The circulation of the "Mail” is making headway, and subscribers are very pleased with the splendid illustrations given every week. They speak very ighly of the varied selection of reading matter it contains.

Hyland’s Circus, MacMahon’s Dramatic Company, and Montgomeriers Speciality Company have been catering for the pleasure-seekers during the holidays, so that, what with races, sports ancl picnics during the day and entertainments during the evenings, the folks have had plenty of amusement and Avill go back again to their various avocations thoroughly satisfied with their Xmas holidays. Ch\ r iiig to the number of licensed houses for the sale of liquors in Westland, visitors haA*e remarked that the inhabitants must be very thirsty souls, or that they are very foud of the "waipiro.” It has been remarkable that notAAutlistanding the number of visitors to the towns—every accommodation house being taxed to its uttermost to make room for them — yet so far (A\ r riting from Hokitika) the police have not arrested a single "drunk” in this town. This is a record for this season of the year. Some persons remark that such is the result of the lack of the "needful,” whilst others conclude that the folks are more careful now than in former days. The tradesmen, so I hoar, haA 7 e done remarkably well, hence there cannot be the lack of the spending poAver. Greymouth lately had a very successful agricultural and pastoral sLoav, which does credit to the town and district considering the short period since its inception—three years ago. They have a real live North Island man in the person of Mr J. B. Merritt, avlio acts as secretary, and who has managed the finances so successfully as to come out Avith a good credit balance. Westland is somewhat limited in its land area either for agricultural or pastoral purposes, hence very little interest has been taken in A. and P. slioavs up to within the past feAV years. Hokitika A. and P. shoAV has been struggling for a number of years to make ends meet, but at its last meeting the Committee came out Avith a small credit balance. With the opening up of the land in the south of Westland and the extension of settlement in the Kokatahi and Koterangi districts more interest Avill no doubt be taken in the oreed of stock. Mr Merritt, of Greymonth, has introduced some purebred stock lately, and I presume his example will be folloAved by others.