ON HELPING OURSELVES.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1920, Page 4

ON HELPING OURSELVES.

(To the Editor)

Sir,—No doubt others beside myself have read from time to time your Articles bearing on the improvements of the town, and as your article in last night’s issue calls for action, steps should lie taken to have tlie matters attended to. As citizens we have a certain amount of pride in our toiVn, and it is a matter for concerted action to bring about results. No one ieels inclined in a manner to throw the blame on our City Fathers. They have taken in hand a most important work in constructing and laying tile Hall Street flood water drain, and their permanent hands have beeh chiefly employed" on that work. The attention drawn to matters by your article must ffot be overlooked, for our roads And footpaths could be in a hotter state than they are, due mainly to the maintenance men being employed on tlie drainage work just mentioned. I believe that very little difficulty would present itself, to raise a small loan locally at low interest to carry out permanent work. Money received from ordinary revenue would then be available for maintenance and general re-

quirements. Much has been written about Cass Squaie and if anything it is in a rather wild state iit present. It being practically central in our town, it becomes rmore for something to pass by than to admire. Its advantages are many if brought into effect, aiid I agree with you Sir, if tlie Council asked for help, a Beautifying Society would readily be formed. One of the causes of our town looking rather ragged (though I think I mentioned the main) is due to ourselves. In the first place, our premises and front gardens could be improved upon and beautified. Our street paths could lie kept weeded, and rubbish which collects about our roads, if the ratepayers would see to gathering it up, the action would save expense. The Council could have a. horse and dray with a man employed to collect dust bins, the individual thereby eo-operating in carrying out a general cleaning up scheme. The good wofk carried out on Macandrew Square, and in front of the Government Buildings proves tlie valiic of individual efforts ,and if the work were taken up by a Beautifying Society to enrol as many members as possible to shape, plant, and give attention to other prominent parts of the town, we would then be following close to Mbittier : “Give fools their gold, and knaves their power: Let fortune’s bubbles rise and fall: Who sows a field, or, trains a flower, Or, plants a tree, is more than all. I am etc., GEORGE DAVIDSON. Bealev"Street, Dec. 30th.