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Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1921, Page 2

It is satisfactory to find that the Mines Department lias been able to induce the Forestry Department to recognise tin’ inherent right of the goldminer | with his miner’s right to take what ( timber he requires for the carrying on , of his mining operations from the adja- , cent Crown lands The goldminer has performed a great service for this country in opening it up, and delving out j wealth which went in the main to the initial progress and prosperity of New J Zealand. Since the policy of reserving timber lands for scenic resen ts, endow►nient purposes and so on, and now finally gazetting all remaining Crown Lands as forestry reservations, it ap- j poured as if the gold-miner was to be ; absolutely excluded. Fortunately the Mines Department interveend, and it was satisfactory to learn on the authority of the Under-Secretary of Mines the other day, that gold miners still had the privlege of taking the timber they required for their workings, providing tile timber was hewn and taken in the manner laid down by the Forestrv Department, so as not to destroy unnecessarily the surrounding hush growth. This is a concession which will be appreciated and is an indication of a little more tolerance than was hitherto observable in the remarkable Forestry policy of this country. Here in Westland with its hundreds of square miles of standing hush it would certainly he a great hardship to the mining industry if timber for tli<> necessary working of the Maims was to bo seriously hampered and restricted. It is quite likely that with the easing up of other industrial pursuits, more attention will h e devoted to mining now and we know that great developments in that direction are at all times possible. It is well to liave the interests of the gold-miner safeguarded, and it is pleasing to know that the Mines Department has not been unmindful of its responsibilities in the matter.

Tine reply from the visiting Minister of the Crown last week regarding the remission of duty on the Westland IV ar Memorial was not a favourable one. Probably at the bottom of it all is the empty Treasury, Sir F. I). Bell has disclosed to a surprised people. At all events, the attitude of the Government is a new departure, and in matters of kind the policy laid down is not satisfactory. While it might he advisable for the Government to invoke the aids of protection for the maintenance of industry in New Zealand, as in the case of gas-cookers for instance, we doubt if the same line of action will work out satisfactorily in regard to works of art. In the case under notice New Zealand contractors were invited to compete in the matter of designs for the proposed cenotaph, but of the number received nothing approached in artistic merit the design submitted from Italy, whence also came the very best material for tlie class of work required. If the attitude of the Government is to be interpreted according to results, they would seek to compel first of all n, poorer quality of marble which would not resist the weather, and second impose a monument which could not he so artistic because there ar© neither the workmen, nor the tools, or plant to do the work as designed in this country. We are often told there is nothing too good for the gallant soldiers, but here is an instance where the Government would give, if they had their way, an indifferent monument to the memory of the men who fell. Art is not the portion of any one country. It is widely diffused over the world, and in seeking for the most artistic form the local Committee went outside for ’the service. For such a purpose the Committee was well advised and the Govern meat is playing a very paltry part in such circumstances to refuse the remission of the customs’ duty involved in this instance,

The Canterbury Progress League will hold its annual meeting and luncheon at bhristchblch on the 15th inst.

The monthly meeting of the Westland Chamber of Commerce takes place at the' County Chambers to-night at 7.30 o’clock.

A Euchre Tournament will be held in the Public Hall, Kanieri to-morrow (Wednesday) night at 8 o’clock. Good prizes; Admission 1/-. —Advt.

To-night at the Supreme Hall the Kiwi Juniors hold their dance. All arrangements are well in hand. Kick off at 8.15 sharp. Good music. Supper provided. Gents 25., Ladies Is.— Advt.

3\!r Seddon AI.I\ returned to Wellington to-day. As Air Parr, Minister of 'Education, 'contemplates visiting the Coast next month, Air Seddon will return then, and it is understood the tour will include a visit to South

Miss Lulu Dyer, of Wellington, niece of Mr fjcddon, M.P. was presented at Court at llttckihgham Palace on May 24th. by Mrs Winston Churchill, wife of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.-

Westland

On Thursday June 23rd. the grand

euchre tournament and ball in aid of the Hall funds takes place in Three Mile Hall. Mr Lawn will provide the music for the ball while valuable- prizes for the euchre will be on view later. Admission 1 /6. —‘Advt.

Three good values, for your money’s lines now at McGiuers. Gent’s superior quality rubber lined raincoats worth 89s (id, now 29s (kl; men’s dark grey hard wearing tweed trousers worth 255, now 16s (id; men’s tennis neglige and wo! king shirts worth 14s (id, now 6s lid. McCrucr and Co., Hokitika and Grevmouth. —Advt.

The sitting of [lie Magistrates ami Wardens Courts set down for to-mor-row will he adjourned till Thursday morning at 10.30 o’clock. A long busii ness sheet promises to keep the Court I engaged throughout the day. The Rimu fracas charge promises to take up considerable time I

There was a disturbance at Otira on Saturday night, when Constablo Caldwell attempted to arrest two men at the Terminus Hotel. The result was that these- men, Mackio and Moran (alias Moloney) appeared at the Magistrate’s Court, Greyniouth, yesterday. Maekic was charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty, also with being on licensed premises duriffg prohibited hours; and Moran with obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty, and with being on' licensed premises during prohibited hours. Both men were sentenced to seven days’ bard labour, Maekic for assaulting the constable, and Moran for obstructing him. For being on licensed premises during prohibited hours they were each fined ,C2 with is costs, lho charge against Mackie for tailing to give his name was dismissed.

“Any bottles to-day!” was an oft repeated call in the Kokatahi district on Thursday last, alid the purchasing pair appeared to- meet with much sue* cess in their quest for the empties. All went well with two well laden carts till the homeward journey was half made, and then what were the contents thereof once, must have had an effect on the horse in the rear cart, for it suddenly left the road and the cart capsized, with a crash that could be heard a long distance away. When help came it "as found that the driver was fairly in the middle of a great heap of broken glass. Though reputed not of the dullest, lie is now stated to have many points, glass ones at that, about him. Beyond the loss of the day’s collections, and some abrasions, it. is stated no serious damage resulted, the only land mark to note the incident being a heap of glassware on the roadside.

An almost incredible change has come over the brick industry in Wellington during the past few months, hess than a year ago all the yards were full of orders, and it was not uncommon, to find builders with carts waiting until the bricks were cool enough to draw from the kilns. To-day, the position is that all the makers are stacking out bricks in their yards, and unless some radical change takes place it will be only a few weeks when they will have to close down until accumulated supplies htvve been used up. Something like 190 men are employed in the industry in or about Wellington, and if only a temporary elation of operations takes place the loss in wages to the men directly employed will be approximately £9OO per week. The pri«e of bricks to-dav is £o 10s per 1000. There are five brick-making yards in and around Wellington, and the stockon hand is estimated to be sufficient to last three months at the present rate of consumption. Before the war the price was C2 os., but the increased charge is accounted for bv wages, which mean £2 2s. per thousand bricks and coal, £1 10s per thousand.

The surplus is attributed to slackening building operations. The welcome slump in price has come at last. So while it lasts you will always find our price the lowest. Thou sands of pounds worth are being sacrificed by us, to make room for thousands more bat gains already secured from the worlds markets. Visit Schroder and Co. It will pay you.—Advt. Singers and public speakers find “NAZOL” unequalled for preventing or relieving husiciness and soreness in the throat. Can be taken anywhere.

The “Unique” Paten 1 Stopper, which cannot leak, is fitted io every North British Rubber Hot Water Bag. Perfectly made of high-grade rubber, absolutely dependable. They lasi for years. For Bronchial Coughs, take Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure.