Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, MARCH 29th., 1920. LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, MARCH 29th., 1920. LIGHTEN OUR DARKNESS.

The proceedings of the last meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council, in regard to the establishment of hydro-electric power for the benefit of the district, indicated that the members took 1 a very circumscribed view of the position. They could not look beyond their own street lights! The Mayor said lie felt the Council was in a difficult j.-osition in view of already having arranged for a supply of power and lighting without any possibility of taxation ! That comment pervaded the discussion thereafter, aud the matter of creating a power for a great industrial development at our own doors, for the benefit of.a fifty mile radius at least, was shelved. “Lighten our darkness” may well be the daily prayer of the local councillors who cannot see in this dawning new era something beyond street lighting. Street lighting free of special 1 taxation to the ratepayers will always prevail if the local bodies have enterprise epough to take up hydro-electric development, for the reason that in a borough of this size and importance, the local expansion and enhanced value of properties will easily cover the cost of lighting under a large scheme. The. essential thing T° *l° now I s to seek to establ/sh a’ ppwpp wprks in this immediate locality eapab|c of njeeting the industrial requirements fit present largely undreamjt of. If the people are remiss enough to miss jfcbe chance of. getting in early they will wake up some day soon, apff find a more progressive centre has realised the opportunity and secured the advantage. Matters are at the stage now that definite preliminary action is necessary. The mere creation of a Power Board will not put a burden of any weight on the people, but it will create a body which will have power and privi- , leges to offer the public a practical pol- 1 icy of action, and not a sit-still-and-do-notlii.ig policy which the local Borough Council is so prone to follow. The Power Board at the outset is an official investigating body and can do nothing with regard to a power .scheme till the proposal be- sanctioned by the ’ people. It follows thajb the proposal should be a “safe” onejtbat it should be on commercial lines, and a payable proposition. To miss doing this pre- 1 liminary is to ignore the value of simi- ; lar “live” work in other localities

wpeye. progress and enterprise follow the Croatia# n#d delivery of the “white” coal for power .purp.Qs.es. The occasion therefore calls for action QjUjl not inaction, and it is a surprise and a disappointment to find a body of representative rue* pot prepared to join in a forward step which is pregnant with great possibilities for .the future of the place. The .town depends upon the country, and anything ,that can lie done ,to lift the place alopg i,s of a mutual benefit. If, industrially, ,tJie country population pan be increased the town wjjl benefit enormously and street lighting will he a bagatelle—/n fact the .street lighting will require considerable extension for the town will grow. This is flip timo for' the people to help themselves, not sit still and rest and be thankful; but be up and doing and seize the opportunity with both hands. More light, is certainly necessary to drive the gloom out of the hearts of our councillors, and here is the chance to assist in the necessary illumination.