Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1921, Page 2

It was mentioned last week that the instruments of the local band were now possessed by the Hokitika 1 Borough Council so tha in essence as' in fact it is now a Municipal Band. On this assured status it would he worth while to establish the hand on the most useful looting possible, so that profit and pleasure may alike he derived from the institution. The Council should have some Voice -or control in the working of the hand, and in return grant the hand assured finance and complete facilities to carry on along definite lines. In several towns now direct aid is given the local hand in return for a defined programme of public appearances during the year, and this practice might well be introduced here. A hand is always a useful adjunct to a community, and there are many functions held during the year at which its appearance is imliKpetisihlc. Thos<> performing do a valuaMe service and perhaps get very little public appreciation for their work. Still, t.

have the pleasurable reward to he gained from the enjoyment of the pastime which is educational and elevat • ing. The citizens who desire so much pleasure and gratification from the public appearance of the hand, should do all in their power to ensure the more frequent appearance iff the hand and assist in cultivating a desire for rendition ot the best class of music within the scope <>f the band. Every encouragement should he given to the bandsmen to excel in their work, and now that the hand is on a municipal looting it is for the townspeople to see that there is issured finance provided and -every encouragement offered for the hand to improve and extend its work for the delight and pleasure of the community.

i nr: newly-elected -'Borough Council has drifted back to the stride of the former Council, the chief complaint against which was its passivity. The late meeting o| the Council suggests to the | mind Cecil Ithodes’ epigram: ‘'so little done; so much to do.” A fortnight ago, the Council ordered a comprehensive report- on the state of the roads, and it is of course too soon yet to expect that document f o be ready, but there are many neglected nooks and corners about the streets and footpaths where urgent attention is called for if pedestrian traffic is to be carried on with decent comfort. Many of the footpaths, and the approaches to them at the cross roads, are in m deplorable condition. We have the crossing of Fitzherbert Street at the intersection of Weld Street in mind particularly. For months, if not years that little piece of regular thoroughfare has been a veritable quagmire. At tin- flenley Street corner of Weld Street, there is another muddy deposit. Tu neither ease would there he any material cost for repairs, ft- is work which the day-labor man could attend to in less than half a day, yet the Council is so indifferent to these small matters, the stun of which, spread over , the. town, ypM.ce a cpns'de.T.lik; jig!ink

moot against the local body. A ratepayer in Park Street complained of the footpath in that locality also. This has been in a very neglected state for many weeks past, and as the rente is used regularly by school children it -hould he one of the first works for attention. Often enough it is only a matter of letting the water off the pathways, hut the neglect of this simple task is so pronounced that complaints have arisen all over the town. If councillors would but take a little pride in the appearance of the streets and footways, and exercise well-direct-ed action what a, difference would he brought about. We hope the Council will adopt such a line of policy.