The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28th, 1921. HOKITIKA’S WANTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28th, 1921. HOKITIKA’S WANTS.

At the annual meeting of the AVestland Chamber of Commerce lately, a catalogue of AVestland wants was enumerated. Such a list is useful as a means to focus ideas, and to afford unity of action in endeavouring to attain the desired results. It has occurred to uh that a list of similar intent might bo compiled for the town of Hokitika, and the holiday break has afforded the opopportunity for compiling such a list. Here it is a matter of twelve items one the lines of the AVestland catalogue :

Hokitika’s Wants. 1. Adequate water supply. 2. Drainage and Sanitation. 3. 15q u i I incut of Municipal Baths. 4. Streets and Footpaths’ Improvements. ,'j. Town Hall renovation. G. Attention to sea front. 7. Assistance in Beautifying the town. 8. Attention to South Hokitika. it. Improvement of Borough reserves. 10. lb-oviding an aerodrome site. 11. Kncouragement of shipping, including timber export over wharf. 12. Kstahlishment of Tourist Bureau and advertising the attractions of the place. The present is an opportune time to think seriously about attending to the above wants—in part at least. Whatever may be the local views as to the future of Hokitika, the opinions held outsido are most flattering. On all sides it is being remarked that with the opening of the Midland railway next year, Hokitika, above all places bn the Coast will feel the benefit of the fresh link with the outside world. Folk looking on from elsewhere see a good deal, and there is a very general consensus of opinion about our future prospects. It is therefore something of an obligation on the part of the townspeople to prepare for the future. The people naturally look to the Council to lead in this matter. The responsibility rests on the councillors to go into these matters and arrange a policy of progress which will lift tho town ahead in keeping with its opportunities. The financial issue naturally obtrudes and this we believe is easily surmountable. The Council has borrowing powers, and these should be exercised in a reasonable way to perform the works considered immediately desirable. In the above catalogue we venture to think there is nothing more important than numbers 1 and 2. The town is growing and will continue to grow.

Whiter supply drainage and sanitation are the first essentials to secure the public health, and these matters, should be gravely considered by those , responsible for the health of the town. Several of the matters mentioned in ; the catalogue do not involve a large expenditure to initiate a forward movement. Yet they are all matters of public import, and attended to will add to the amenities of the town, and help to keep it where it is advancing—in the forefront. With the holidays in progress there is not likely to he much done about the subject now referred to, but we venture to suggest that when the citizens return to the regular routine of daily life, the matter referred to should have something more than passing attention. It in for the Council in the first place to take up a task obviously its own, and no doubt both the Chamber of Commerce and the Progress Iwagtie would lend a helping hand in awakening public opinion to the subject at issue. It would be fully in the interests of the place if the citizens themselves moved, and at a public meeting discussed proposals to advance the town and its interests. Meantime the subject might ho venj tilated through the press. AVe invite j correspondence on the subject and will | be pleased to publish all views relei want to the matter. Any views ex- [ pressed will carry greater weight if the ■ writers will append their own signature and not a nom de plume. It is a ease of the people doing something to help themselves, and if a healthy public opinion' can he aroused on the subject of doing something to forgo the place ahead, and making it capable of better fulfilling its brightening future, this reference and appeal will not he in vain. The town has a good year ahead of it and the people can afford to net. unitedly and progressively in the endeavour to push the place ahead. Onward,' Hokitika!