The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, JAN. 28th, 1922. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, JAN. 28th, 1922. THE WEEK.

The Great Reaper has been responsib! this week for the chronicling of a least three notable deaths. Firsf came news of the demise of the Pop of Rome after a very brief illness. Gu como della Chiesa was born at G( noa on November 21, 1854. With th exception of Pius IX., who was elec ted Pope at the age of 54, Benodie XV, was one of the youngest Pontiff of modern times, not having complete< his sixtieth year at the time of !hii election. He was ordained, it is stat ed in 1878, which implies that he musf have passed straight nem school tc , his ecclesiastical studies, and that he could have known little of the world ! before his seminary days. Five years luted, on May 28, 1883, when he was still only 28, he was made one of the j Camorielri iSegretti .Sopranumerari, a j distinction which carries with it the title of monsignor, and allows the j bearer to wear the costume of a lesser porporato. He became at the same ! time, secretary to the Papal Embassy 1 at the Spanish Court, remaining abroad until 1887, when he joined tho household of Cardinal Rampolla, then Secretary of State. He was promoted to more distinguished functions in the same department in 1902, and in 1907 he became Archbishop of Bologna. His admission to the Sacred College dated from May 28, 1914, when he was created Cardinal-Priest of the Title dei 1 Santri Quattro Cononati, in succession to the late Cardinal Respighi. The creation on that occasion of 13 cardinals, of whom only five were Italians produced in tho Sacred College a balance between Italian and non-Italian piembers unprecedented iu modern (

1 times. The Italians numbered 34, and foreigners 32. No one then foresaw that the Conclave would so soon follow, but still less did anyone foresee the political complications which hin--1 dered the participation of several of the foreign cardinals. But of the prelate whom the assembly choso, no one had 1 anything but good to say. He was of small stature, wiry, and of active habits both of body and mind. His Holiness was at any rate, not identified 1 with the rather extreme attitude to wards many questions of critical scholarship and devotional practice which had at times been made a ground of reproach against his predecssoi. During the war his Holiness made several overtures for peace and in 1917 he put forward definite proposals.

A cheat Liberal passed away also in the person of Viscount Bryce, who has been a notable figure on the horizon of the world’s politics over many years. A contemporary says that tho death of Viscount Bryce at the age of nearly 84 years brings to a close a career which, judged both by materialistic standards and by the intrinsic value of his service in advancing human ideals, was brilliantly successful. His greatest work was achieved between the years 1907 and 1913, whei< as Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington he effected the settlement, of a whole series of disputes between Britain and the United States some, of them of voyy long standing. Most of these matters—tho question of boundaries and waterways, covered by treaties and of fisheries, submitted to the Hague—concerned quarrels between Canada and the United States. Mr Bryce, as he then was, was successful not only in arranging matters - to tne satisfaction of London and Washington, but also to the satisfaction of Ottawa, which was the really difficult part of the business. He also arranged a general Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty which is notable because it contains a provision giving any self-governing Dominion of the British Empire tlie , right to veto an arbitration agree- I ment which it considers injurious to j its own interest. This was a very I momentous development, and it emphasised that there are certain advantages to be gained by disregarding the rule that diplomatists should be chosen only from the aristocratic or plutocratic classes. Viscount Bryce got into diplomacy through a door of his own; not through the stereotyped channels. The third notable death is of rather local interest—that of the Ven. Archdeacon Harper who ministered here many years ago. Archdeacon Hamper w!as a prominent figure here in the early history of the Anglican Church. He was not only a churchman but also an active citizen. In the making of Hokitika many public meetings were held and along with the late Dean Martin, Archdeacon Harper was always a. familiar figure at such assemblages. The Archdeacon in his day was a good sportsman. His University training gave him a love for aquatics, and it is said he was the mentor of William Hearn, on the Hokitika river, when , tho latter came out as a sculling Champion. The Archdeacon was a hard worker with his Sunday gchool, and no more notable annual event took place in Hokitika in tne early days than the Anglican picnic. It began with a short church service for the children, then a monster procession headed by the band, and wim oanners and flags flying to tho picnic grounds where all and sundry participated in an al fresco gathering; and then finally hack for a brief thanksgiving service at the church. Following the Archdeacon’s own bent, the choir picnics were always aquatic, Lake Mahinapua being the favourite rendezvous, and the Archdeacon on a tireless oarsman. A nolideae.on Harper had 1 ah easy pleasant j speaking voice of great power. He moved freely among the people, and I was specially attached to the Native population then of considerable number. The population of the town was then very consider ible, and with the • miners of the district which included . Kanieri and Woodstock, the Ar c hdea- ■ >n was a popular favourite with all. ( His demise now will be regretted by < nany who have the kindliest recol- I 1 ections of a most pleasant personality, j t Fhere wag another thrilling tale of < ;he sea this week, the event being t learer home than the previous event t eferred to in these columns last week, f 'he race of the Australian warship J p felbourne to succour the crew of tho n inking schooner, H.B. Sterling, off si he north coast of New Zealand, q oupled with the rescue of the crew t nd passengers under most difficult and g angerous cimcumstances, is another of li rose fino feats of seamanship which ai re being associated always with the tl ay and night work of the British sail- ai •. The warship responded promptly cs > the S.O.S. call, and. every member ,ti : the crew strained every sinew to j si it the boat* to tho sinking ship in ]ei me. It was a close call, for the ves- 1 1 was hull down when the Melbourne •rived in the black night. No time is- lost iii rescue operations, for the c 0 ne taken indicates the celerity with hioh the difficult work was done, rst, there was the exercise of wis>m in manoeuvring the warship to th e safest advantage • then the pluck sit d endurance of the life-boat crew to c it

get the people off the doomed derelict. The notice of members of the WestHere again, clear judgment and defi- land branch of the Canterbury Autonite action had to be prompt and mobile Association is directed to a spectliough the intervening seas raged high ial notification in this issue, and the position was desperate in the Westland Count Council noti . extreme, the complete rescue was ef- jd by next Sat _ fected to the great credit of all con- • , _. b . . .. , T urday will he subject to the 10 per corned. The Australian Navy lias / J 1 ~ , , ~ ... J cent penalty, and the amounts sued another event to its credit, not the . , , . . „ , ~ -„ for without further notice least impressive of which was the nne courage and discipline shown, combined! with the Splendid exhibition of forethought in regard to the very difficult task presented. The rescued are to be congratulated on their escape, and the rescuers on the very line feat performed. Mr Massey’s generous words of praise to the Australian crew were well deserved

The Government employees are very naturally putting up the - best fight they can to secure their position against what is palpably a reduction in salary. Judging from the state of the country’s finances the reduction j was inevitable It is nearly a year I now since Sir F. D. Bell told a sur- ! prised Dominion that the Treasury I was empty. If the Hon. Minister wa 8 '■ truthful, the surprise is that the re- • duction in salaries has not come sooner. The ability to pay just now is tire deciding factor a s to what reduo tion should be made, if not in staffs then in salary or vice versa. The Giovernment appears to be doing both, and the Ministers cognisant of the position must act in justice to the community and not to the individual. There is the usual talk about a strike, and there are those who believe the financial augean stable will not be cleaned 'up till there is a strike. But that is a poor weapon to utilise in these enlightened days. It is only recently we had the disastrous railway strike at Home. History has a way of repeating itself, and those who playwith ifirq require to exercise g)reat care tb avoid being burnt themselves. It would be wiser to bargain to tho limits of the powers, rather than to take the fatal step of a strike which no doubt would precipitate labour troubles all round. The country has to pay its way, and Ministers are responsible fo r the discharge of that dfuty. The country looks to the Ministry to exercise wisdom—to act fairly and above all honestly. If the country has not the money to pay—and we are led Iby the Premier to believe it hlas not—then a reduction of expenditure is necessary. One way is to reduce j salaries and the Government employees I will require to do as they are tofld' in that matter, as in any other aspect of their duty. The country will not submit to be “run” by the Government employees.

id j The Government employees discoun j their case at once by openly givinj id the country an ultimatum on th ie strike issue. They pit t'heir Organ n j ised strength against the rest of th m I country, and though they may receiv so 1 —and probably will—much ulterio h support from labor unions—they ar Le doomed to failure. It was ever thu 1. and the strike while it will do th' ;v country great harm and dislocation is will ruin the unions in an attempte< g “fight to a finish.” The country i ; e too strong, and in any case the issm | in this instance is a very simple on< 0 1 —the ability of the Dominion to pa; t ( its employees. It can or it cannot di 1- so, and no amount of striking wil puti more money in the coffers t( u enable the strikers to get in two o three months' time what 'they canno get now. Indeed, the longer th< strike lasts, the less there will be t( g get, and when normality returns th< d fewer Government employees will b< needed. That seems to be the logic o the strike issue, and the employee! will he stilaining the situation unnecessarily and prejudicing whatevei argument there is on their s'de now by asking for something which it « 5 n'ot 'in the ability of the country y to pay. The Dominion is in a serious 6 plight financially There are signs or 11 all sidles which indicate the stringency. and it is from the permanenf : employees rather than from any other ’ class that the Government might look for help to tide over the situation. If ® loyal support is not forthcoming from the service which has been so well => supported by the country in the past. 8 then the soone r the Government re--11 vises the personnel of the service the n better. The country will expect Mr o Massey to be firm in this matter, but at the same time fair to those who j> recognise their duty to the State. 8 If we are to assume that the local 11 bodies conference the other evening was e a sign of the times, we may accept it " that a new era is being entered upon. 8 It was quite a new departure to find s the interest displayed in local matters, ] and to see public attention directed *’ to definite questions all more or less k affelqtijng the public welfare. There ■ was quite a range of subjects disouss- ? ed, and though the discussion was but ‘ preliminary, it should at least open ? the way to definite action within a I- reasonable time. The idea to meet at regular intervals—three time s a yearshould result in the necsesary eoncen- . trntion and give full opportunity to 1 review from time to time fresh mat- • tor, as it crops up. These are the 1 times of advisory boards and com mi t- ’ tees in respect to many undertakings and it is conceivable that these conferences should grow into a provincial council of advice. Operating as it does in quite an honorary way with the desire to advance local interests, the best results should he obtainable, I and the public will thus get an excellent advisory service. Necessarily there must be talk at such gatherings but we hope the words will lay the I foundation for deeds. These can be I possible only when the ways and j means are provided, and so the pos- I sibilities of success swing back to the I question of financing local affairs so that money will be available for the I good works in mind. The healthy I life which this citizen interest in c ivic I affairs will create should make all I things possible, and with both faith I and works, the local bodies conference I can go far in helping to shape the destiny oj the town and district. It I should leave, at all events, an enliv- j ening effect on the immediate future, j I I

■ Applications for the position of hatchery caretaker, close oil Tuesday

night, when the Westland Acclimatization Society meets a, 7.15 o’clock to deal with same.

The weather yesterday was again glorious, though there was a. very heavy pall of smoke hanging over the district which almost completely hid the mountains from view. The atmosphere 'was very oppressive during the day as aresult, but the night was again cool and exhilariating. To-Hay the weather is again perfect and the visiting picnicers are having a glorious day for their outing.

What might easily have proved a fatality occurred! on the river front yesterday afterhoort.. The baths not being usable, many bathers have been dipping in the river. When diving into the river opposite the Custom House, Neil Wogan, a son of Mrs Wogan of Fitzherbert -Street, struck the bottom of the river, which is very shallow at this 1 point ,alnd came to the surface dazed and bleeding. He managed to get to the breastwork and was pulled out by his companions, and taken to the doctor, it being found necessary to put nine stitches into the top of his Head. The young man suffered considerably last night, but to-day has improved considerably. The cut extended across the- forehead and might easily have had serious effects.

The funeral of the late Mrs Andrew Parkhill took place yesterday afternoon and was very numerously attended by friends from all parts of the district. Among those in the cortege were the Mayor (Mr Perry) and members and staff of the .Hokitika Municipal Council. the conductor, bandmaster and members of the Town Band, Captain Colclough, and representatives of the ■Defence Forces. The service, in the house and at the graveside was conducted by the Revd. P. B. Fraser. There were numerous wreaths of flowers, and many lady friends of the deceased were present, also, at the obsequies. As a mark of respect to the deceased, the Town Band did not parade as usual last evening in connection with Friday night’s picture enteiLaimnent by Mr Mcl/can at the Princess Theatre.

Mr Markham, Assistant Secretary to the General Post Office, Wellington, with other postal officials, paid a flying visit to South Westland on Thursday, in order to enquire into vnrions matters affecting the postal service. The party travelled to the Waitangi river afnd back in tbe day, visiting all the post offices en route, and making full enquiry into district affairs. The trip was a revelation to the visitors, who got a clearer understanding of the extent of the south district and its requirements. At the various ford crossings the travellers had the. usual experiences, ajnd were not immune to a hold-up n,t one crossing where man-pow-er had to be exercised to complete the passage of the stream—an experience which added veri-similitude to the reports current regarding. the southern journey.

Mr P. R. Climie of the Canterbury Progress League writing to the Westland Chamber of Commerce, says inter alia: tures : Westland has Dr Teichelmann to thank for one of the best advertisements it has yet received. Three overcrowded meetings is surely a record which anyone ipight well ,feeli proud of. The third demonstration was even rushed more than the previous ones, the hall being packed half an hour before the commencement of the display. I have already suggested to the Doctor that he should tour the country as a propagandist in the interest of Westland. His lectures could very easily be given under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A Perhaps something of the kind might be considered later on.” The Westland Progress League has decided already to move in the matter so thoughtfully suggested by Mr Climie. ’ A sincere and genuine sale with each and every article substantially marked down is what you get at McGruer’s great summer sale, commncing Friday Jan. 27th. Come prepared to expect big bargains. Special purchase of 56 cases of job line new goods at onethird of usual price. A big rush will set in. Get down early. McGruer and Co.. Hokitika and Greymouth.— Advi.

Mill and factory supplies: Belting, belt dressing, boiler compound, “Hewson’s” Jointing Cement, “Underwriters” fire extinguisher, electric lamps, “Climax” packing, graphite grease, lubricants, highest quality, moderate prices, Manning Machinery Co., 5 Bedford Row, Christchurch.