Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 13 August 1920, Page 2

A good deal of memorial treo planting is going forward in "Westland, and in this connection it is interesting to note that this form of memorial has a rather international’, not to ' say universal usuago. From an American paper just to hand, we note that trees are hcmg planted in the United States in memory of ex-Presi-dent Roosevelt, and at one of tho ceremonies the President of the American Forestry Association of "Washington put forward the suggestion that there should bo a Roosevelt road of remembrance across the United States from sea to sea. That surely would "bo the most notable memorial in all the wide

world, nnd in the land of big things it would not bo surprising to see such a ’ project come to pass. A Roosevelt road ] of remembrance planted with memorial j trees from ocean to ocean, would be ‘the ' greatest of all memorials that could bo erected in honor of the former president, whose memory is kept very green in the • United States, where he is missed so much. In emphasising the proposal the speaker went on to say to the large gathering present: “Let us keep the message Theodore Roosevelt gave us alive. That message was that national well being is dependent upon a nation’s forests With such a memorial, arousing the whole nation as it surely would, for each would have a part, Theodore "Roosevelt would be honored and his message would be heeded.” In Greymouth steps are being taken to plant a memorial avenue, and there was some talk of similer action in Hokitika. When the two trees were planted in Stafford Street last May they were supposed to be a nucleus of an avenue intended to extend into the, country and some citizens set about ordering trees so as to assist in the extension. The project stands in abeyance though several prominent citizens evinced a personal interest in the matter. Perhaps the. matter will be revived soon, but it needs ill list lie soon, if this year’s season is to be taken advantage of. The idea is one worthy of the fullest amplification. No one can go abroad and witness the street plantations in other towns without regretting Hokitika does not present a like spectacle so pleasing to the eye as a well kept avenue of decorative trees. The action of the Westland Chamber of Commerce in interesting itself in the local coal supply for domestic iise is likely to have a good effect in maintaining a regular and sufficient supply of \ tho needful commodity. The enquiry ns | to the position revealed that supplies on the Coast are now being rationed, and that there is a responsible officer at ’ Greymouth to whom the dealers may appeal if their orders are not coming ’ forward satisfactorily. The officer at , Greymouth is in particular tlie distributor of most of the coal from Rcefton , whence the bulk, of our domestic supplies are drawn. It is a matter tlierefore for the dealers to adjust as between themselvs, and Mr Leitch at Groymoutli ’ as to the regularity of the eoal supplies, j. The Departmental mind favors this district receiving its required quota and ifi the event of any funther .restrictive ’ measures appearing on the surface, no B doubt the Chamber of Commerce which r will be watching the position, will ing tervone again in the interests of the community. The action already taken j is certainly very timely and the Chamber is to be appreciated for its watcli- " fulness.