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Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1920, Page 2

To-morrow will be Children’s Day in connection with the Royal visit. It is hoped that the adults will lay themselves out to give the rising generation a. good time. The regal visit means

much to the citizens that are to be, for they will come into personal contact with their ultimate ruling Sovereign. This experience is something of a privilege for antipodean children so remote from the Motherland, and we feel sure tho privilege will lie cherished by scores of the children of to-day, for long years to oome. The royal presence in this remote corner of tho Empire is in itself a

suggestion of the royal interest in tho well being of the overseas people who hold allegiance to the reigning House. The children, in common with their seniors, will reciprocate that interest I most heartily. So to-morrow will be 1 a red letter day for the rising gene--1 ration. Adults may help in seeing that I the children are first all day to-mor-row. At their function in the morning let them be in tho foreground, and h ivcn a full clear view of the Prince who has travelled so far to see them. His Highness has covered many thousands of miles to reach here, and during the past day or two lias had to put up with long stages to complete the distance within the limited time at his disposal. For this personal sacrifice the people generally greatly appreciate the cor'npjiment paid by the Prince, and old and young will, we arc sure, unite in no J uncertain sound, both to-night and tomorrow to acknowledge the great honor I done this portion of Westland by the j visit.

Next week, the district will have a visit from the Hon. J. G. Joates, Minister of Public Works. Ministerial visits are generally notable-for their curtailment and in this instance the Minister is not proceeding beyond Hari Hari. Thereby only a fringe of South Westland will be touched which is to be regretted because that is a quarter of the district standing in need of the greatest assistance in the matter of development. Air Coates will visit the dairying settlements of Araliura and Ivokatahi which will give him some impress of the pastoral possibilities of the district. In the matter of dairying and stock raising expansion, the south country is specially looked to, and fostered ■as tlie district should be, will become a great producing territory. The roads are good on the whole, but there are numerous river crossings which Jack bridges and retard reg ilar traffic, Bridges for the south are the main requirement of the district at tlie moment, and no doubt the local ..edies will bring the matter prominently before the Minister, Unfortunately Air Coates cuts his south tour short just at the point where bridges are most needed, and if he could snarp time for another day’s journey he wopld see for himself the handicaps the- district labors under for the want of the bridges. In connection with the visit it is pleasing t© see that tlie Minister will pass through the Otira tunnel, This s the magnum opus of the Dominion and if the ministerial visit can hasten the completion of the work it will be time well spent. Air Coates will be welcome for his own personality, Ho is a returned soldier who won distinction on tlie field, and ha ving done his “hit” so thoroughly will find a. genial West Coast welcome awaiting hjin,