Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3rd, 1920.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOV. 3rd, 1920.

A USEFUL INSTITUTION. The proceedings of the annual meeting of the Westland Chamber of Commerce last night, served to draw attention to the useful work done by that body for the benefit of Westland as a whole. Tho annual report touches on various mat. ters, all of which liave special bearing on the present and future welfare and advancement of the district. The Chamber in the past has devoted a good deal of attention to the completion of the Midland railway, and the report discloses the fact that matters pointing to the early completion of the East and West Coast railway connection are now well focussed. There is an increased parliamentary‘vote this year, and the promise of half a million for next year if the electrical contracts late ly let are sufficiently advanced to call for that outlay. This is satisfactory news, and the Minister of Public Works deserves tho praise given him for offering to do his portion in the way of hastening completion. The pity is that this policy of thoroughness was not adopted by his predecessors—which fact would have given ns the line long ere this, and the railway would have been earning welcome revenue. In regard to the bridges for South Westland the report shows that again Mr Coates has done his part in ear-marking the funds required. Over £30,000 is to be made available for the works. The public desire will be to hasten the expenditure so that within a year or eighteen months -,the bridges will be available for traffic. The Chamber and the allied public bodies should unite as is proposed in urging that tenders be called and the works pushed on. The sum voted is bo substantial that with the financial year closing next March, it will not be possible to absorb the sum in the limited time. But if tenders were accepted for the works, assurance would be forthcoming that the money was to be spent and the public conven. iences provided without any further undue delay. The other matters mentioned in the report shows the wide rang© of subjects dealt with by the Chamber. In regard to its mission and objects, the Chamber is a free-lance as it were, not hemmed in by the four corners of an act of Parliament. It may rove over the realm of Westland, and as occasion requires take up public or semi-public matters for the advancement of the district. The Westland Chamber of Commerce is putting up a good record and deserves the increased public support it Is receiving. Of the miscellaneous matters touched upon, local railway accommodation is important, because the timber industry, which plays so important a part in local activities 19 directly affected. The idea of securing a visit of the General Manager of Railways is a good one, and should be pressed for. Also in regard to forestry matters, the Director might well be invited here to expound * the scheme, for Westland will remain always the centre of practical forestry work. It is good to learn that tho Tourist Department is at last giving some attention to local needs, but the report will bo agreed with, that not enough is being done to improve Lake Kanieri road so as to popularise the lake as an attractive resort it is. The plea for experimental work in regard to fodder production "is timely, and seeing that promises is that- respect have been broken so often in the past, it is time the Agricultural Department acted in earnest and good faith to do something for Westland proper. The Chamber is doing good work and should be encouraged to so continue.