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Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1920, Page 2

I The action • of the public-spirited oiti zen who' offered'in last evening’s issue to make a donation of £2O towards assisting to convert Cass Square uito a children’s playground to mark the visit of the Prince of "Wales to Hokitika, will no doubt he availed of by the public body responsible for the care 0/ the Square. The practical hcin ofSpred should assist in laying the foundation for a very fitting use to be made of the Square. Cass Square should be the lungs of the borough, and if made useftilly attrac-

tive for the rising generation would be far moro in general use. The proposal fits in admirably with the idea put forward in times past in this paper to make Cass Square essentially a playground. It is a very fine asset for the town and its possession lias resulted in thousands of extra people visiting Hokitika, and making the place a popular rendezvous for school picnics from various parts of the Coast. Equipped as it should be and as tlio liberality of the citizen suggests it might be now, the value of th© .centrally situated recreation ground will be greatly enhanced for both local and district children. Hokitika has a well assured future ! ahead of it and the immediate prospects warrant enterprise on the cart of the city fathers in regard to the amenities of the town life. An excel--5 lent beginning will be made in regard to Cass Square if the authorities tool: the matter up in the right way, and Hie people as a whole would enjoy the fruits of the enterprise.

A very “live” agitation has jjeen taken up in Marlborough with the object of furthering the advancement of the province. In conection with this betterment project, a paid organiser has been appointed, and the work of the new organisation will soon be in good running order. One of the aims of the now programme is to secure railway connection with the West Coast, and this is considered of such importance that with some it is being placed high up on the list, and second only to the equipment of Picton as a port capable of doing a world-wide trade. Such store is placed upon the railway connection with the West Coast that the project is set down ahead of the development of hydro-electrlic power and even the completion of rail connection with Canterbury. Ihe Coast draws on Marlborough for quantities of its produce supplies, and more intimate trading connection will grow up if the twp provincial areas were Jinked up by rail, During the past fpw years, Marlborough has suffered from a shortage of coal, which at times has threatened po hold up the whole industrial life of the province. This shortage has 'been . general throughput the Dominion, but had Marlborough had connection by rail wifch fhe Coast supplies of opal would have been available which, under 1 other circumstances would hjivf gone ! elsewhere. Such a railway wpujd eu- ■ able produce to be sent to the Coast j when weather conditions were unfav- | ourablc* to shipping, and it has been 1 pointed out, would also enable MnrlI borough to hold trade which might possibly go to Canterbury when that province has rail connection with the G'oatjt. -flip point about .this is that at long last, clip popple of Pjther parts of the -Dominion are looking eastwards for trade and business, There is a market here and a reciprocal trade will grow up. It is good to see tb,& West. Coast patronised in this way for if menus jr.ha-t now the whole Coast is coming In,to j.ts 9 W#—>.!• consummation which railway coiiiiection will surely bring to pass.