Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 11th, 1920. A PRINCE IS COMING.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, MAY 11th, 1920. A PRINCE IS COMING.

The very great compliment which is to be paid this district to-morrow is being realised ver y fully ,by the people of Hokitika, Always a loyal people, they are on flijs occasion particularly using to the occasion, and in fhgir own humble way are going to demonstrate their feelings in a manner which will leave no doubt as to the true sentiments prevailing among the community. A few weeks ago a Minister of the Crown (Sir James Allen) was passing through tile Christchurch military hospital, and speaking to one of the soldier patients enquired where the man oame from. “Hokitika” was the reply. “Ah,” said Sir James, “that is the most loyal place in the Dominion. " . Hokir t.ika thus has a reputation abroad, and judging by the .preparations going forward in town fpr the pnisp week, i,ts reputation is going to be i onsidertibly enhanced during the forty eiglit hours. What strikes png in going among the committees and workers, is flip enthusiasm of all of them. A large- amount of the work is purely voluntary The ladies who are displaying such i astern the decoration of the halls and the committees in charge of the street ornamentation, are all honorary workers The spirit they arp showing is a reflex of ,the temper .of the £pvrn. Yesterday volunteer help came forward readily and to-day the- game action i.s T/\pe:i.t----ing Itself. It is a tipp spirit, ?>id is the keynote to true citizenship, Qijc of the mottoes adorning an arch in Rove)} Street, records that “unity * is strength.” That motto might be adopted as the civic emblem of the town for on occasions which call for loyal-

ty, Hokitika io a man, wo-.nnn and child is united, and the people are striving one and all to make the work in hand a success which will reflect to the credit of the place itsejf. When some qualms were being oppressed yesterday, about the probable state of the weather for the historic visit which is the cause of this great outburst of popular feeling, a prominent citizen remarked that he did not care what the weather was, it could not damp the ardour pf a Westland gathering met together for a loyal purpose. He instanced the I’eace I),ay celebrations, and the turn out there was harp recently on Anzor Day when the weather was so unpropituops. All the same, while we, too, have no fears about the enthusiasm of the people and their readiness t-p express it fervently, we hope .si/icprely that our august visitor will be favoured with charming weather. He will thus see, not only ourselves, but hind as its best. Standing on Kpjigr’s balcony on Thursday morning, lie wijl hardly see a more impressive picture in all his travels. We who live so close to nature’s special wonderland hardly appreciate the glory which sits upon the eternal hills when bathed iii the morning sunshine, I'Jip white peaked mountains present a decoration beyond mail’s means of imitation, and though the Prince will gaze with pleasure on the fairylands of forest-decorated streets yet we feel sure he will carry with him for all time a memory of pur snowcapped mountains, stretching away to ; the south where Aorangi, the literal ■ cloud piercer, completes the picture. With the natural and artificial thus ; provided for his delectation, Westland | will offer the Prince of its best and . to that will be added the homage of its people full and overflowing in voci- . ferous demonstration.