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Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1917, Page 2

'bn: epic of the Anzaes on the heights of Ghllipoli is to he equalled by tho heroic deeds of their successors on tho lesser heights of Bellevue Spur. There in the western area, they nobly fought and nobly died last Friday for the honour of their country, and the freedom of the countrymen. It is a stirring tale which the war correspondents are telling us. Beside the murk of battle, the situation was more gloomy and distressing because of the atrocious weather conditions in which the fighting raged. Held up by the barbed wire entanglements, and decimated in their efforts to hack their way through to the objectives assigned for them, they called for.. help. ’Die reply will become historic., is in fact history already. The New Zealand Brigadier had no supports available, to send. The best he could do was to send a message, and ° n the spur of the moment he chase an inspiring injunction : ‘ ‘Remember the story of Gallipoli.” Those five words will become embalmed in the history of Australasia. They were an admonition to stick it out to hold on at all costs. Perhaps it is possible to faintly imagine how the message was received by those in charge of the firing line. Those gallants became a forlorn hope. Their lives had to be sacrificed that others might’ be saved, and so they turned to their work again, the willing sacrifice. eßaders will peruse the story for themselves with stirred feelings. We have yet to know what, the toll must he. Tt will be, most probably exacting, but as at Gallipoli, the gallant fellows have earned undying lame, .liven a glowing colour to the country's and their own . patriotism. As they ltave done their duty for us, we must do our duty by them. Gallipoli and Bellvue are an answer to all who may quibble over a war pension or who would hesitate to do liberal or who would hesitate to do liberal justice to all who serve tlipir country in this hour of trial.

The Westland County Council is to lie congratulated on its decision yesterday in determining to take up the liability necessary to ensure a traffic bridge being erected over the Mikonui river. This is a matter which has been under dismission for a long time, and much time and money have been spent in the advocacy of the work. Its necos■>tv has been recognised all along, and there were hones from time to time buoyed up by the Ministerial promises that the work would tie undertaken. There is the promise even now that Government will erect the bridge after the war, but that occasion is somewhat remote, and there is not any guarantee that this promise will be more respected than previous promises to tho same end. The County Council by its action ensures the early eretio n of the structure. Tt was stated that the material will be obtainable at once from Greyrnouth and that no time will be lost, in constructing the bridge. This will be as necessary for the industry the structure is to serve, o« for the public traffic. Six or eight months, all going well, should see the work an accomplished fact. This is a gratifying outlook, arul South Westland folk, and al] whose business takes them into the southern district should be well satisfied with the decision arrived at.. Tt is proposed to pay for the work Within a short period, thus saving interest o n the capital cost. This, in turn, is to he reduced by revenue accruing from the district to be served so that altogether Mie arrangement appears to bo a very practical one.