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Hokitika Guardian, 8 January 1917, Page 2

The Guardian wont to press at. noon to-day. A similar coarse will be followed to-morrow. Nominations for all oventi at the Kokatahi Racing Ulub’s meeting close tc-nigbt at 9 o’clock with Mr M. H. Houston, Wharf Stroet.

A Government notification appears tn this issue in connection with tho requisitioning of all sheep .skins and scouring of low grade wools on behalf of thelmpsiial Government.

The Westland Racing Club’s Jubilee meeting commenced this afternoon in perfect weather, and will be continued to-morrow when the Jnbilee Cup will be decided. Thera is a large crowd of visitors to town the trains beiDg crowded.

Gorse fires on the sonth side of the river on Saturday set alight a'large quantity of drift wood near the south wall, causing some concern as to the safety of the wall itself. No damage of any material extent was, however, done thereby. Bash fires were raging in various parts all day long.

The Wakaiti returned from her Sounds cruise yesterday forenoon. The excursionists report having had a most enjoyable fortnight. Beautiful weather prevailed throughout, and fish being plentiful there was ample sport, when not otherwise engaged exploring the beauties of the far south.

Arrangements are being well advanced for the farewell to tho 25th Reinforcements at the Town Hall on Wednesday night, Although the notice is short a good programme will be prepared, and save'al speakers will be arranged for. Particulars will appear in oar next issue.

Private J. J. Phillips who returned by the Maheno from England, invalided, reached Hokitika on Saturday night. He was met at the railway station by a number of friends and given a cordial welcome. Private Phillips will be welcomed by the Overseas Club on Wednesday, when the 25 th Recruits are being entertained at supper that evening.

- The town wore a busy aspect on Satur- “ day night, many visitors for the races be- * mg in town. About 200 passengers - crossed over from Canterbury on Saturday, and the Otira train which arrived - here at 8.40 carried a large number of passengers. The hotels all reported that their accommodation was being fully g taxed, so that expectations as to a large attendance for the races to-day appear _ to be fully confirmed well in advance. . i Among the arrivals in town on Satur--0 day night were Messrs C. Emerson and g Hewitt who will be riding at the race meeting opening to-day. They crossed the hills on Saturday, and were induced by Mr Murdoch to mako the journey * from Otira by motor car to Hokitika, ■ travelling via Kumara. The visitors - reached Hokitika a little after 9 o'clock, B notwithstanding a stay in Kumara, f where the visitsrs enj jyed the hospitality 1 of th?ir escort. The through trip was c much enjoyed and they are making their j first visit to the Coast with most faveure able impressions prevailing. r Mr J. A. Murdoch of Knmara made a 0 quick business trip to Wellington last 3 week, returning to the Coast on Saturj day night. While in the Empire city, Mr Murdoch mad 3 time to call on the available Ministers. Among those • met 1 was the Hon MacDonald, Minister of 3 Mines, from whom'it was gleaned un- * favorable reports had been received re- ■ specting the utilisation of the Kumara 3 water supply for electrical power in con- . nection with the workmg of the Otira t tunnel. Pushing enquiry further Mr s Murdoch gleaned that a Government j. officer had visited the district, and had compiled a report from superficial know, lodge wilhcut obtaining information as 1 to available resources, Mr Murdoch ’ pointed out the injustice of this, not only ' to the district but also to the Government l which had a splendid system in their r own hands for development. As an upi shot of the representations made, a l further report is to be obtained, Mr i Murdoch undertaking to go over the . ground with the officar and point out , what could be done from local knowledge | to augment the supply and furthering the national object in view.

Among the inter-wing exhibits on the Hokitika ructcourae to-day, whioh much engaged tbs attention of many visiting sportsmen, was the original official record of tbo first race meeting held here 50 years ego. Tbo bock whioh ino survived so rnoDy years ie in the handwriting of Mr D. Hamilton, tho first Secretary, and actually tho prime mover in tbs Westland Racing Club. Mr Hamilon was an English Bporfntnao, and a kern horseman. Iu connection with the Club ho combined the duties of Secretary and Clerk of the Cour-e at the initial meeting. Mr “ Dicker ” Hamilton was a well known figure in Hokitika in the sixties. In regard to his horsemanship it is related that be was a moet daring lider, and one of the feats be performed at a local theatre iu 1867 was toraceacrocs the stage, end jump hie mount ever a dining table fully laid. The late Mr Hamilton was a consp ouous figure about town by reason of the bell-topper he woie, though this form of head-gear was not as much out of the fashion in the remote mining town Hokitika wa3 fifty years ago, as it is in the modern i times of to-day, when belitcppeis | make but rare appearances. Mr Hamilton was certainly an enthusiast, and entered into the sport of racing lor ’ the sport itself. TII9 book referred to 1 contains 1 he signatures of those who i won stakes, and as Mr Oaßeidy was 1 among the winning owners he was , able to inspeot to-day the receipt he gave half a century ago for the stakes won at the first Hokitika meeting. ‘ Womans greatest need supplied by “ No Eubbipg Laundry Help.” It does away with the wash board drudgery and washes clothes clean without rubbing 8 and scrubbing and dees not injute the 8 hands or clothes.-*-AU grocers, 1

The Defender leaves Wellington tomorrow evening for Hokitika via tonThe mails which left New Zealaud on the 28(h Nov, via Vancouver arrived in London on the 4th last.

A reminder ia piveu of the important auodon sale of mining property at Kumara by Mr G. Pammect on Wednesday afternoon next.

The Hon W. D. MacDonald hopes to maks a visit to Westland at no distant date. Ho is at present much engaged w.th the pressure of large business maUers affecting tho products of tho Dominion, anrl it is quite impossible to leave Wellington at this j uneture. Otherwise Mr MacDonald would have been an interested visitor at the jubilee race meeting now in progress.

At three o’cl jcR yesterday morning the buebfire in tbo vicinity of Ngahere township was responsible fer iho destruotio’i of Mrs Dampiey’s cottage. From particulars to hand it appears that the the had a good hold before any cf the inmates were aroused, and although willing helpers were soou at werk in an endeavor to save as much as possible, very little was recovered, the bouse, together with content*, being reduced to asheß. Strike talk is still to ba heard echoing round New Zealand. In one busy shipping centre there is the fear that difficulty will arise in respect to water front labor, The old award is expiring, and a new one has to be arrived at. At one stop work meeting just held it is repoau-d that tho watersiders have decided to ask for 2/ an hour for casual labor in the new award, and if this demand is made as a minimum request, the upshot might' be a general tug-of-war, round which, of course, other issues than the mere payment of casual labor will ba actually involved. WOLFE S SCHNAPJS . Superior to all other spirits. A large assortment of latest costumes washing dresses, striped voiles, muslins, crepes, silk blouses, etc., at bargain prices have just b?en opened out at Stephens’ Bros, drapers, Revell Street,

A nice choice of ladies voile” and silk blouses in the latest styles andr * reasonable prices at Mrs Lloyd’s.

WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS possesses virtue of a remedial kind. Nothing can equal “No Rubbing Laundry Help ” for lightening labour cn washing day it does the washing without rubbing and it will not injure the most delicate hands or finest fabrics, —John Parkhill.

Now raDgo in boys and yonths fashionable Kaiapoi spoits suits.

Nobby patterns—beat in the Do-

minion— therefore best in the world, now showing at McKay’s, the leading drapers.—>Ad vt. A delayed shipmeiit--We have pleasure in announcing that we have just opened and are showing a very fina selection of children’s millinery. McKay's, the leading drapers.—Advt..