OBSERVATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXIV, Issue 4248, 19 February 1921, Page 3

OBSERVATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

Sir,—To watch the little mite develop, smile, prattle, crawl, walk, talk, reason and then perform, is a pleasure second to none, from the standpoint of the father; and while I cannot claim to be exactly a daddy to the Ellesmere Guardiaii in particular, , and to Leeton in a general sense, still the healthy, vigorous development of both afford me unbounded pleasure.

With gentle, anxious solicitude we, I might say—for there were others like minded—watched your paper in its- long-clothes stage, Looking eagerly for signs of growth/weight, awakening, mentality and service. Alas, we looked in vain. With sorrowful hearts for years we. watched it in its impoteney, emitting twice week ly only the faintest moan. Its countenance was set in rigid lines, which, month after month, changed not. Only occasionally, such as at election time, was there any appreciable alteration. Convulsive movements, as though really conscious of passing events would at times appear, only to revert again to its former state. The state was grave; death seemed imminent; a suitable epitaph was in contemplation, when—hope revived. An infusion of warm young blood, in the form-of a new editor, produced encouraging signs. Movements, feeble at first, but rapidly increasing in frequency and strength, with joy were noticed. That impressions of both large and small events were being observed was soon apparent from the ever-changing page, until the one-time babe became the lusty, healthy brainy organ we know it to be to-day.

. Let me heartily congratulate you, sir, on the fact that, by reason of your enterprise, hard work and common sense you edit to-day a paper second to none published in any country town in the Dominion. I have often quietly applauded the stand you have taken on public questions, and the able suppogts you have rendered to all progressive movements, particularly your untiring efforts to forward the electrical scheme in this district, and I have also greatly admired the tact and discretion revealed in all your publications. The attractive style in which your matter is displayed, accounts for your" pap er being so widely read.; and the quality and attractiveness of the displays in your advertising columns has no doubt been the means of city advertisers.

1 The progress of Leeston from the old ''stick in the mud" state to its present vigorous forward policy is also reflected in the advertising columns of your organ. Bright, crisp, keen in tone, those advertisements reveal the fact [that there are men holding the reins of commerce who are determined, at any cost, to establish Leeston as the commercial centre of the Ellesmere district. Outside competitors seem but to serve to stimulate local endeavour, to bring to light the advantages of local dealings, and to dispel the delusion that "No good thing can come out of Nazareth." . It. does my heart good, sir, to see the visions of youth reflected in the business places of Leeston. Stocks are being increased, premises are ,being enlarged, garages are being built, and a more serious attempt is being made to fulfil the functions of a country town, for in the past Leeston has served the county as a pair of rompers would serve a grown man. To you, sir, I would say: Continue as you have begun; let your motto always be "The noblest motive is the public good'^ and your organ will not Only be an efficient advertising medium and a source of entertainment, but it will be an educative and elevating power. With best wishes —I am, etc. ! KEEP A-GOIN'

(We must thank our correspondent for his graceful compliments. Our success is due in^ a great measure to the support' and confidence of the general public, in whose interests our best'endeavours will always be directed.—Ed. E.G.)