Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 1921. A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 3rd, 1921. A YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY.

The opening year provides opportunity lor all. We might consider it to-day .as a community chance to improve local conditions, to advance the interests of the district, to further the affairs of Westland generally. Apart from the full year ahead for effective organisation along these lines, the time is not inopportune generally. In the thought for the times to-day, we quote Air Massey on the financial outlook, and optimist as lie is, he perceives that the swing of the' pendulum is to go adversely rather sooner than later. If it would be wise, therefore, to prepare for what the quid mines regard as the' inevitable. But we owe it to ourselves as citizens of a promising district to so order the course of events that the talents all possess will return the greater profit, and cause a flow of prosperity for the general good. Correspondents in late issues have been writing about our town, and the necessity for doing something to smarten it up. Wo (rust this is not a passing phase, but that something tangible will result from the public Ventilation of ideas. At the same time it is not sufficient to devote the energies to mere beautifying, important as that is to the amenities of life. We should like to see the creation of a spirit leading up to solid developments which would ensure all those good things in life which follow in the train of prosperity. The,re will, we hope, be an industrial expansion during the year. The sawmilling industry is tending in that direction. The work going ahead at South Hokitika, just now promises a mining revival of substantial proportions. Further, we should like to see more settlement and production from flip land, as a most important factor to count for solid prosperity. There is more cultivation going forward now, and that is an assurance that more,will he got out of the land. Farming entails that contribution before nature will field of the best, and it is pleasing to know that the tribute is being paid. These are the true staple industries of Westland, and they promise well this year. While we regard it as necessary to improve the outward appearance of th e . town, and to that extent are of opinion a Beautifying Society would be of great value, and hope that the band of honorary workers and organisers will materialise, the town requires something more in substance to move it ahead. It. should be possible to have secondary industries started here, and a move made to increase the permanent population of the town. The area of the Borough of Hokitika is large enough to accommodate four times the present population, and if even the town had the population doubled, it would be a material advance. There seems to be no reason why we should not have a Five Thousand Club here, not only to beautify the town and attract visitors, but to associate in the starting of industries to esablish businesses which will secure extra population. With the electric light and power to be brought into the town, this is a subject which well might engage attention at this opening stage el the New Year, and practical steps should be taken in the endeavour to help ourselves, and make 11921—the majority year .of the century—our great opportunity to grow in stature, and more, and more play a man’s part in life.