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Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1918, Page 2

Tire constituency is to he paid the compliment of a visit from the AetiugJ’remier, Sir James Allen. It is very good of this busy Minister to devote some of his time to -Westland, hut the tour as indicated to the Mayor, is altogether too short. Sir James Allen will lie little more than 24 hours in Captain Seddon’s electorate, and as the district is one of the largest in the Dominion the time proposed is far too brief. It will permit, only ot a fleeting visit to the three boroughs, with the result that the country distiets will be cut out completely. Westland is at that stage now when its district resources require cultivating u> the fullest. The certainty of the early completion of the East and West Coast railway is reason enough for the exercise of wisdom in assisting to open up the- back country. so that it: will, the readier, be a greater feeder for the national highway when available'. To this end, the interests of South Westland are a paramount importance jn view of the promising prospects of that locality . 'two or three days extra if the Minister eould manage to snare them could ho spent to the advantage of the of the Dominion in a tour of the southern district. Tf Sir James Allen has not the time personally at his disposal, one of his colleagues might be spared to make the trip so ns to report to Cabinet as to the justice of the claims advanced from West-land for help in opening up the back country for future developpurposes. This is a matter that the heads of local bodies or our representatives in the Legislative Council might take up. The opportunity should not ho missed; indeed the claims of the district should be impressed with ail the force possible

Tire advent of Sir dames Allen, who is also Minister of Defence, should afford an opportunity of individual eases of hardship in respect to pensions and other payments to soldiers and their dependents, being looked into personally. Sir James Allen has a very extensive Defence Department under his control and the methods of dealing with, cases often appears slow and in the end not altogether satisfactory. It is due to the Minister to say that where individual cases are brought under his notice, greater celerity is shown ana more direct consideration given. It would be unfair, as it should he unnecessary to put- every case before the Minister, but cases arise where this course is unavoidable in fairness to the persons affected. In other cc-nti'es where Miniseters are going and corning continuously, or where Members of Parlament take up the cudgels, the injustice to individuals is not heard of so often. Here when the men have not the same ready means of help et hand, living as they do in the remote places, they have to put up with a degree of injustice which is not fair in the light of the sacrifices they have made for the country. The Minister’s visit will be welcomed as an op-

pouunuy io clear up cases where del..y and other troubles are a hardship to* the folk a fitted, and those interested should make it a point of having their requests in order so as to put them clearly before Sir James Allen. They may be sure of a sympathetic hearing and of that prompt attention at headquarters, which should be theirs without Ministerial intervention. But the public sendee can never free itself from red tape methods try it ever so hard.

Tile Kapitea dredge washed up a return of 51 ounces for the fortnight. A further article of the “ New Era” series appears on our first page to-day, ,

The Tvokatahi Dairy C’oy., Ltd., inviting tenders for cartage of cream and also applications for two assistants.

Mr J. Andrews, of Hall street, lias been advised that his son, Private George Andrews, was slightly wounded on July 13th (a second time).

The lion. J. Grimnioiul, M.L.C., has extended nn invitation to the ActingJPromier, while in the district next week, to pay a short visit to South Westland.

Sir James Allen, Minister of Defence, has notified the local branch of the Returned .Soldiers’ 'Association of bis visit to Hokitika next week, and bis willingness to meet members in regard to any matter affecting their welfare. The Hon. Sir James Allen, ActingPremiej*, is to be in Nelson for the anniversary of the war functions on Monday next. Ife leaves Kelson the next day for Westport, and travels via Reefton to Grovniouth on Wednesday.

The programme for the concert on Friday night in aid of All Saint’s Church Sunday School fund appears in this issue. Patrons are promised a very enjoyable evening. “The Bluebirds” who supply the programme, are a very talented combination and a treat is promised. During the visit of the Hon. ActingPrime Minister to Hokitika next week, the Chairman and members of the Westland Hospital Board will inter-

view Sir James Allen regarding district hospital matters, including the long deferred re-building scheme affecting the wooden portion of the "Westland Hospital, towards which the Board already has a large sum of money in hand.

On Monday next the anniversary of the declaration of war will be marked by a public gathering at the Town Hall at mid-day. The Mayor will move the official resolution, which will be seconded by the County'Chairman, and supported by other speakers. It is the intention of the Mayor to ask tho business people-to close from noon to 2 o’clock to permit their employees attending this loyal gathering. The local people will need to bestir themselves in the copper trail competition if they wish to be in tho race with teir Groymouth rivals. A meeting is to he held hero on Thursday afternoon to launch the local campaign, and the attendance should be in keeping with the importance of the occasion. The gift of a handsome cake has just been received from Lady Liverpool at Auckland, and this is to he disposed of by novel methods, tho proceeds to go to the copper trail.

Widespread sympathy is expressed says the “N.Z. Times” with Mr and Mrs P. J. O’Regan, in tho death of their fifth child ‘‘Teddy’’ in his thirteenth year. The deceased was homo from school for the midwinter holidays and was apparently in good health until .Sunday morning the 11th just, when ho was laid up with an inflamed throat, upon which pneumonia supervened, causing death early on Wednesday morning last.

It pays to wield tip* axe and saw those days, aiul it would appear that the man of brawn and muscle is coming into his own (says a Southland journal). Locally in pre-war days a first-class bushmnn could be procured for 11« or 12a at the outside. As high as 26s 8d a day is now being paid for good-men, some of the leading bushmen’s pays amounting to £26 a inontli. Post splitters are simply coining money, making from 26s to 20s daily at this work. Even at these high rates a great scarcity of labour exists, and rneli arc hard to procure who have knowledgo as bushmeii.

At a meeting of the No- 2 Westland Building Society held this morning, the directors confirmed the sale of £6OO to a shareholder at a premium of £6O. The chairman, Mr Michel, made reference to the bereavements recently suffered by two of the directors —Messrs €. and D. J. Evans— and it motion recording the sympathy of the directors and shareholders was entered on the books by the Secretary, who was also requested'’ to convey to Dr Teiehelmann the Board’s good wishes for a speedy recovery froin his recent illness. It was decided to hold the annual meeting on the last Saturday in August, when a sum of £6oq will bo disposed ot bv ballot.

The first Deloo-Light plant to be landed in New Zealand was exhibited at Palmerston North Winter Show in June, 1017. The Farmers’ Co-operative of Christchurch have just been compiling a list of purchasers since that date and after making allowances for the difficulty in obtaining shipments there is a not inconsiderable total of 95 buyers through the Dominion. Whilst, as is to ho expected, the majority aro Farmers the scope of Delco Light, may to some extent be. guaged from the fact that, the list includes a sailing barque, several hotels, a hospital, billiard saloons, a number of stores and shops, garages, a college, hairdressing . saloons, etc. etc., Deleo-Light is a, complete electric lialit and power plant, very simple and economical, and the low cost brings electricity within the roach of all.*

Mr J. E. Wilson, who succeeds Mr T. Hutchison as Magistrate in the West Coast district, entered upon his duties yesterday at Greymouth, and was welcomed on behalf of the legal profession by Mr Hannan, senr., who expressed the hope that the relations between his Worship and the Bar would he of the. most cordial. Mr Wilson in reoly said he was happy to meet the mein hors of the legal profession in Greymouth, and added that he hoped the same good feeling would exist n« obtained between Mr Hutchison and the members of the Bar on the Coast. Mr Wilson added that lie was happy in, the thought that lie was associated with an experienced staff and a sot of professional gentlemen so highly esteemed by Mr Hutchison. For Chronic Chest Complaints, Woods’ Grenfc Peppermint Cure, 1/6, 2/8