Life is astir at Jackson's Bay, presaging the fulfilment of long-deferred hope, and recalling many predictions made with reference to the South-West Coast.

Perhaps the most striking forecast was that made by Dr. (Sir James) Hector, when, in 1863, he explored the South-West Coast of the Province of Otago. In the Official Report of this expedition, when referring to Martin's Bay, he said: “If an easy line of route be discovered to the interior of the province from this point, this district—which is in itself of great interest—will obviously acquire a still higher importance from its being the nearest part of New Zealand to the Australian and Tasmanian ports; so that in future times it may not improbably be a terminus of mail and telegraphic communication.” Should this come to pass Hector considered that it would be necessary to make communication between Milford Sound and Martin's Bay—either by a system of literage, or overland by road or railway. Thus Milford, one of the most excellent and most easily entered harbours on the coast, would be rendered useful.

However, that Milford is being put to its best and destined use by remaining an inspiration through its sheer loveliness, is possibly the more general opinion.

Dr. Hector considered that the timber round Lake Kakapo (afterwards, Lake McKerrow) was of finer quality and of greater variety than any he had seen elsewhere on the coast. Hector's judgment on this matter was later confirmed when the Provincial Government of Otago sent an expedition to ascertain (among other things) the quantity and quality of the timber in the vicinity of Preservation Inlet and Martin's Bay. The Official Records of this expedition state that the timber in these places was of the finest description. At Martin's Bay particularly, the trees—white beech, red pine, birch and rata—were large and well matured. In a later report on this same district, furnished to the New Zealand Government by Mr. James Richardson, reference was made to the magnificent growth of all classes of forest trees, and specially to a “yellow” pine! a highly prized wood with a grain much resembling Baltic timber.

Consideration of these reports led to the belief that “a large and profitable export trade could be established between Martin's Bay and the Australasians.” But the time was not yet.

In the seclusion of South Westland, and of the coastal districts farther south, there is much material, beside timber, awaiting transformation. Official Reports of 1868 and 1880 speak of inexhaustible quantities of valuable grey granite in the Hokuri Valley; and an “inexhaustible quarry” of dark pink and white marble on the shores of Lake McKerrow. Blocks of beautiful white marble, close in texture, were found at Milford Sound; Specimens were also brought from Lake Alabaster, and these samples were pronounced by experts to be equal to the best white Cararra marble.

(Photo, Thelma R. Kent.)
Wild cattle in the Arawata Valley, South Westland, New Zealand.

The extent of the West Coast deposit was not determined.

In the vicinity of Preservation Inlet and elsewhere on the South-West Coast, coal of good quality was noted by Dr. Hector and others. Recently, it was stated in the press that a survey of the coal bearing country of New Zealand is to be made by the Government, with a view to utilising all of its valuable by-products, including oil. According to this notice, a party of geologists was then at work on the West Coast, inspecting the coal deposits.

When the wharf is completed at Jackson's Bay, probably the first thing to be shipped will be timber. But in the course of time it is likely that cargoes of various kinds will sail from the bay. In its neighbourhood there are large deposits of limestone; and “sandstone of superior quality is to be found in Smooth Water Bay, Homing Cove and several of the other bays to the south of Jackson's—this also will one day prove a source of wealth,” ran the report, which also states, “seeing the distance from Smooth Water Bay to Jackson's—which is undoubtedly the best harbour on the coast—is only two miles, the engineering difficulties of connecting the two bays by road or tramway are apparently few and slight.”

Furthermore, on the flat land south of the Arawata, and within a mile and a half of the old landing place at Jackson's Bay, there is clay of a particularly find kind. At the time when the Jackson's Bay Settlement was page 45 founded, many thousands of pounds were being spent yearly on the importation—to towns on the West Coast—of bricks from Melbourne and from places on the East Coast of the South Island. This expenditure, it was hoped, would be no longer necessary when once a brick-making industry was established at Jackson's Bay. The clay was considered suitable for the making of pottery, also.

It was believed that a rich reward awaited whoever found a way of utilising the abundant fishing grounds on the South Westland coast. One enthusiastic colonist, well acquainted with the coast, had such faith in its possibilities that he wrote to the Superintendent of Westland, stating his intention of returning to Pomerania to bring from there immigrants who would be particularly suited to that part of the country—South Westland. They would be people well able to assist in the development of several of its resources, but would first give their attention to fishing, and the potting of crayfish.

These, and other schemes for the opening up of the South-West Coast-failed. For these failures there were several reasons, the most important being the lack of facilities for transport.

The great changes which have taken place—since 1863—in modes of transport, communication and travel, may alter the character of these hitherto isolated places. Then, perhaps, the busy world may invade Martin's Bay, and in ways unthought of 75 years ago, Sir James Hector's prophecy may come true.

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