The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 1922. SETTING THE HOUSE IN ORDER.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, JANUARY 24 1922. SETTING THE HOUSE IN ORDER.

The Conference to be held at the

Town Hall to-morrow night in regard to the advancement of local affairs is pregnant with possibilities. It rests with the members of the local bodies to make or mar the opportunity now' offering to concentrate on some form of definite programme giving a line for concrete action to promote and develope local requirements which. will add to the amenities of civic life and enjoyment. The notices of motion set down for discussion cover a wide range of subjects—but they are all familiar subjects and so should be readily debated. The welfare of the water supply is naturally put in the forefront, l This is a matter for urgent attention, ( and some definite procedure should be followed out to find out exactly where ! the leakages are in the present supply. If the conference can aid in foI cussing action, the meeting will not I have been in vain. The question of accommodation within the town is important as affecting the future. It is largely a matter for private enterprise to attend to, but it is well to call attention to the matter betimes, and so fix thoughts in the desired direction. The improvement of the ocean beach, is,one of those outetanding require-, ments which strikes every visitor to the foreshore. The beach is an asset which should be developed and it will he more and more an asset as outside visitors come amongst us. A modest beginning is suggested, and if given effect to should result not only in something, being attempted, but more important

still, something being done. So also, with the reopening of the swimming , baths, to use a colloquialism the action is a long felt public want. It is a reflection that with the baths in existence they cannot l>e used. The cause is the failure of the Borough water supply to provide tho water required. IT is necessary to have an auxiliary supply, provided by pumping and the means to find the plant in question is the next desirable step. If the Conference can suggest this course it will do something practical for the rising generation in particular and provide educational facilities which the pupils will carry through life itself to their advantage. Permanent works within the town are , often advocated. They are necessary in respect to tho streets, footpaths, and drainage in particular. Instead of deferring these works indefinitely, or of unduly pressing on general revenue which should be reserved for maintenance, a small loan at a low rate of interest spread over a term of years is suggested It will prove an economic advantage to the ratepayers if carried into effect, and for the sake of appearances this motion is certainly most desirable. The need for a tourist bureau has often been felt. It will be felt more and more in the monifchfs to come. A central office such as suggested, which could bo operated almost free of cost is a most desirable necessity, and the experiment should be tried. Tho opportunity for the district to participate in aviation development nan be met only by providing a good landing place. The situation is available if the people have the enterprise to prepare it. As the future of aviation is most promising, Hokitika will be slow indeed if it does not attempt some action at this juncture to jump into a foremost position on the West Coast. It lias all the possibilities of becoming a great aerodrome centre for Dominion and overseas flying. Praise for the Beautifying Society is becoming deserved and no doubt that useful body will become more useful still as timo and its funds allow. The mineral development of this district is in the womb of the future. So far the place has been only scratched over. Some steps should bo taken to forge the mining ndustry ahead, and it as well to seize the present opportunity when scientists and representatives of capitalists are demanding an enlivening mining policy on distinctive lines to bring about the mineral developments all believe the district capable of. Hokitika is a port in name only. "What can be done to make it a port in reality P There are the capabilities here. Where is the necessary enterprise or concentration of action to achieve the desirable result? The Conference will afford an outlet for the ventilation of public opinion on the subject in question, and let us hope that in the multitude of counsellors there will be wisdom—and resultant action Last but no* least there is a motion drawing attention to the raid under the Forests Act—a raid calculated to retard milling, harm the industry, and seriously affect local body revenues—and for what? To glorify a Department, the importance of which has been magnified unduly’, and which can only he sustained at the expense of the taxpayer; the industay and the menacing |of< trade and. intercourse. The strongest protest requires to be put forward. It is not an, occasion to mince words, but to make it plain that the illicit action of the Government in seeking to introduce such a confiscatory amendment to the Bill at the last moment, is evidence of a breach of faith as regards previous promises, and a . desire, as before, to steal a march on the peoples’ rights under existing acts. The Conference therefore can and we hope will do great service to the town and district at tomorrow’s deliberations and the public interest in the meeting should be commensurate with its great importance.