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Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1919, Page 2

The local peace celebrations to be held to mark the final act to close the war, are on lines outlined by the Government. The proposal is to extend the celebration over three days, commencing on Sunday of the period selected. The first day is very properly set apart n s Thanksgiving Day. The second is the Soldiers Day, and the third, very appropriately assigned to the children. The important question of a war memorial has been deferred for the present, but this is a matter which must not be lost sight of. It is an essential feature to mark the occasion wi|r;h/a monument to those who have fallen, a memorial of all those who served, and a reminder for all time of the momentous event—the greatest in all history—which the world passed through. As to the celebrations, tliey are wide enough in tlioir design to afford entertainment for all. Though the knowledge that peace is signed, sealed and concluded is occasion enough for great rejoicing seeing that the compact carries the impress of all the Great Nations of the day, the whole circumstances lend a certain air of melancholy which cannot lie dispelled. Never before was such sacrifice demanded; never before was so great a sacrifice made. Thousands upon thousands have laid down tlioir lives that this pence we are to celebrate might be purchased. Jt is a dearly bought liberty, and no celebration can be adequate which does, not leave some special place where the memories of those who dared and died for the world liberty might be recalled and fittingly honored. Titk frequency with which tile fire fiend is making his unwelcome visits of late, is a matter for determined attention. There is not any sense in the scheme which is being followed, and it would be well wero the culprits brought to

task promptly. The fires are being caused in untenanted buildings in the middle of the night, at times of lato when high winds are blowing, and the danger of the fire spreading is very serious. Mostly the fires have been in somewhat isolated buildings, but the latest events were in dangerous proximity to other blocks of buildings. Tile fire-bell is an occasion for alarm at any time, but in the dead of night its note is specially alarming. The townsfolk generally turn out, while the firemen have to rush to their stations and perform unselfish services for the protection of property. Their experiences are not at all pleasant. They have to rush to duty, assist to haul the gear to the location of the lire, and then set about the wet and dirty job of fighting the fire. Omitting the element of risk the firemen have to face, they have much hard work, complete discomfit and total loss of rest. Their lot is unenviable. But the fire-fiend lias no concern about the consequences of i his nefarious acts and seems to take a 1 delight in repeating them. It is high time efforts were made to probe these ! suspicious fires and implicate the guilty. : The police force should be augmented land the night patrols increased. The 1 Fire Board should offer a reward and ,by assistance from the public in foim- ' ing an unofficial vigilance committee look for. clues to help the police to dis- ; cover the culprits and bring them t 0 justice