The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, APRIL 15th., 1922. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, APRIL 15th., 1922. THE WEEK.

To-day is Master Eve, a milestone which marks an important stage in the round of the year. Easter is imt the gone! ally observed holiday period that Christmas is, but it affords the opportunity for holiday making, and a British sport-loving community, docs not neglect the opportunity. The present Easter finds this district in a state of bright expectancy. The highly important event which is to link the West to the East is drawing nearer and nearerafter long years of waiting. With..) loss than two years now Westland will ho celebrating its diamond jubilee. Sixty years’ existence, and all that time cut" off from direct connection with the outside world! For nearly forty years now the agitation for the Midland railway has gone on, the people on the West Coast always hopeful and ailing patiently lor the red lettci day when the great occasion could be consummated. But during the fouffdcpades there has been many disappoint- 1 imnts over the delays. The last stage since the tunnel contract was begun, has now occupied upwards of fourteen years, Withal tliero lias been hope always, and the signs of the times to-, day about the old town, give evidence that the people have not waited in ynip nor has the king deferment °f

tile bright hopes, made the lieait sick. ’There is quite an optimistic feeling abroad, and the town is already on a marked upward movement. Although some months must yet intervene before the railway will roll through the mountains and link with the two Coasts up permanently, the end is in sight. The town is hopeful. Tlie people are of good spirits and looking forward to the realisation of those ardent hopes which have been nursed for so long. These happy spirits will give lone to the Easter period which should he a bright time indeed.

Genoa is made famous and important at the very outset by the presence and the personal magnetism of Mr Llovd George, whom we may unselfishly share with all the world as one of the greatest statesmen in history. He has a magnetic personality, and the aptitude of saying the right word, and striking the right note, in any and every assembly lie patronises. He is a world asset for the time being, for it is clear that Ins presence at Genoa is going to count for a great deal. Europe is a very s ick country, and those responsible for its government ami care have been brought together w isoly to endeavoilr to secure means whereby a cure may be brought about. It appears to us that this Conference is to he the magnum opus in the life and work of Mr Lloyd George. If lie can bring to pass his high hopes and aspirations, and procure peace and a general pacification policy throughout Europe, he will gladly retire from the political arena of the world, satisfied that his work is done, lie is now full of voais and to all appearances a t’l’e.l inan. What he has passed through the hist, eight voais is phenomenal. 11° has survived all the w liirl-icols of a tangled political nation.;! struggle, and oil every occasion has so,ved his country with outstanding merit. While in every othei country, great statesmen have succumbed to the popular clamour, he has kept his seat firmly throughout. It is a wondejfu! record which will he hotter appreciated by posterity who will have his life and work in bettor perspective, Mr Lloyd George realises the opportunity of (he Ucnoli Cbnier- -. nee from a world point of view and he •s bent on directing the deliberations of that great gathering purely for the vantage of the world and not lor the aggrandisement of any particular country or people.

l Nilaim’y Ireland. Ireland is more unhappy than ever. The c..mi try is torn asunder now by desperate party fighting and the end is not. ’I he Easter period it is suggested might he seized upon as another occasion for a rebellion in the mad desire to turn Ireland inti a Republic. For what? li liishmen cannot agree sanely to govern themselves under constitutional means provided in an established 'vay—what is to he the fate of Ireland under a government of irreeoneilaldes? Murder and rapine are stalking the country. It is a sad state of affaiis worse than it has ever been before. There is a ray of light and hope in the conference to he held at Dublin and to which both Mr Collins and Mr de Valera have consented. Meantime Ulster is organising to establish a military force to secure its borders while Mr Collins for the security of tlu* South is said to have asked tor the retention of the British troops. The Republican forces are said to be glowing in strength and public sup--1 ort so there are three factions organising for a civil war the results of which would he more deplorable thali anything which has yet come to pass. The fury of the rebellious spirit is being directed against their own c nintrymeii and it is the latter who are the victims of the fray. What can happen from the Dublin conference it is difficult to conjecture. Unless common sense is enthroned in the minds of the Irishmen involved there can be no hope of a satisfactory outcome. That would mean a return to bloodshed and Ihe internal destruction of the country. As it is Ireland will he in a very bad way next winter. The crips are not being put in and conditions akin to Russia will rear their horrific head. This is a gloomy prediction, and it is to he hoped wiser counsels "di prevail betimes and so save the country from the madness of its own people.

In response to the large public body deputation which waited on the Prime Minister and the Postmaster General regarding the proposed affiliation of the Postal Union with that of the Alliance of Labor Air Massey was most eommemlnbly outspoken as to the attitude of the Government. In that definite attitude there will be very full, and we believe, much unexpected support for the Government should matters come to a trial of strength as the Prime Minister ostensibly hinted at. Doubtless he foreshadowed a general strike, on the part of organised Labor to support the Postal Association, and endeavour by that means to force the Governinest to recognise and accept the affiliation. This is exactly the crux of the position, and demonstrates

at once whait the affiliation means and would accomplish were it allowed to come to pass by- the inaction of the Government. Probably the strike would be of such dimensions as to savour of being a fight to a finish i.c. who shall rule, constitutional authority through the Government elected hy the people, or self-constituted Labor bent on .lias,} (Jowipatiun. Thu ;?*uf iv n hH

l )e so plain that it would not be ignored and such being the case, we might have a repetition of recent events in South Africa : but here as there the Government would be sut prised at the volume of the support, and the readiness of its response. New Zealand is too fair a country to hand over to misrule, and its intensely British population are too mueli lovers of fair play to allow misrule to get a looting, ihese are the facts and the prospects ahead. It is as well to refer to tln-m at this stage so that there will he no misunderstanding and let all realise possibilities, if not probabilities, before it is too late. The time for a hspiay of real citizenship appears to be at band.

M« Skiwos M.P. on his return from South Westland the other day, expressed Ills pleasure and gratification with the general progress going forward in the soutn. He recognised that there wok? various matters, particularly in regard to communication and transport wherein special assistance must be extended and stated his intention of furthering the matters as far as his powers lay. Mr Seddon knows the south well. He was familiar with it in p e.soliiical days and he lias kept well in touch with it ever since. Naturally he j. a strong advocate for the bridges, and lately he had an assurance from the Minister of Public Wo.ks that the bridging of the Waiho river would be one of the first huge works next to be provided for in the south. Mr Contes, when south, saw the Waiho river >» flood. This torrential stream was rim - ing along carrying great blocks of a from the Franz Josef _ (lire, er nearh and the crossing was in an absolutely dan.'Crous condition. Mr Oates was in - pressed and is not likely to his promise when the first uvoui re opopi’tiinity for fulfilling it, offers. Mi Seddon spoke also of the need l for W tening on the eomplction of the tafia, bridge approaches. At the piesent rate of progress the bridge will not be available for tv flic for a coup e of months at least, and this protracted delay is to he regretted seeing that the bridge is constructed and the public suit have to use a difficult ford. The principal needs of the south arc bridges and with respect to these the Member fur Westland has not been backward in their advocacy, nor the Government unfriendly in their action, i-u with a render accepted for Wa.tang, bridge, all the large streams as far a* Waiho will he dealt w.th, and the - after Mr Seddon can concentiate on rivers further south.

p, ASTK.it is bringing about a, revival h>- ;, lv in field sports., Athletic and ( . v( Tin<* snorts, as well as .hopping and sawing will no doubt attract a by j attendance to Ca,s Square on 1 « d.iv next. In former tm.es tins district took a prominent part in promoting sj,nits’ gatherings, and it is pleasing to note the present welcome revivftl. The entries are very good, and the spirit of emulation being shown »> the young men is altogether commendable. The sports, in fact, are being promoted by the young men of tht district, and it would be fitting - the public- hacked up the effort with hbeinl patronage so as to give the promoters every encouragement. A very useful aspect of the coming sports meeting worthy of notice is the tact that the preparations for the meeting helped to speed up the reclamation of the ground itself from the rather dilapidated state into which it had been al lowed to drift. In a very few days a very pleasing transformation has takeir place reflecting credit on all concerned. Cass Square is a valuable asset to the town, and its use for ah sport purposes is to he commended. Outdoor games are healthy for the community; and the ground should he kept in the best order to encourage the patronage of the popular pastimes of the people. There will he no regrets at any extra cost involved in tlw upkeep of Cass Square so long as it is used regularly as the play ground for the people. It could not he put to u better use, nor the peoples’ money used to better advantage than the improvement of the ground for public purposes. U is to he hoped that the success of the coming sports will help further to popularise both the sport ami the grounds for more regular and practical patronage.

Tjikuk was a chorus of approval at the County meeting this week in respect to the success attending the working of the motor tipping lorry acquired bv the Council a few months ago. The machine has justified it? existence, and is doing such satisfactory work that the Council is anxious to see the road plans supplemented. This it is proposed to do by adding a read roller for district use. It is rather singular to note that when the Council placed before the rateuayers a proposal for the purchase of a road plant, containing by the way both a roller and a lorry, the ratepayers vetoed the proposition, and the Council has now had to proceed piecemeal in the purchase of the plant. No doubt a saving could have been made if the complete plant could have been purchased at the outset, and organised as was proposed for general road work. However, the Council is sticking to its policy as best it can with the available funds, and if a suitable roller can he secured, it is manifest that good results will he gained in road maintenance. A suggestion was put forward at the recent meeting, in consequence of the frequent report of late as to broken planks by motor traffic, to try as an experiment the laying of a wide plank in the wheel track across culverts and small bridges to save the planking. This should give good results, [t is used effectively already on the Flowery Creek bridge on the main road, and the County authorities would no doubt find it a saving in the annual timber bill if tried also on the bridges of the district roads. Incidentally the comfort of crossing culverts and bridges ou a smooth regular surface would no doubt be greatly appreciated l>v motorists and their passengers.

A number of the business places are 1 observing a holiday to-day and also oil Monday, namely the wholesale, provision, and ironmongery firms. A dance will in the Supreme Hall on blister Monday night commencing at |jso’oloek sharp. Good J floor, good nuanc and efficient M.C. Admission Isifplus tax--Advfc, if The Kuir.a'i'a races take place oil the Omoto racecourse rn Monday. 'I here are large acceptances, and there should lie big fields and good racing. Special trains run to and from Grey- j mouth. J

At Kamen on Easter Monday night a popular concert aml ball will be held in aid of the funds of the Public Hall. A capital programme has been arranged for the concert, with good music for the ball that follows.

The handicaps for the Hokitika, races are due on Monday night, and acceptances close at 10 o’clock on Tuesday night. The races will be held on nesday. Horseowners and others entitled to same,* may obtain their tickets from the Secretary- on Tuesday. The welcome social to Mr and Mrs T. E. V. Seddon, will be held at the Opera House on Monday week - '.4th irst.. 'Tickets are now on sale, and there is the promise of a large attendance. The ladies’ committee have tiie general arrangements in hand, which is an assurance that all will be well catered for.

Do not hesitate to drop in and inspect my latest and best winter goods, including men’s woollen, gabardine and blanket overcoats. Note these coate’c. have been purchased at the righ. price and you will save money by pur* chasing from W. H. Stopforth, opposite W. E. Williams, Chemist.—Advt.

The (tovernmertt is having the Far South telephone overhauled by its staff at present, and it is reported that important changes are pending in the ultimate control of the line in question, with a view to relieving the Department of the cost of maintenance, which it is said exceeds the revenue derived from the southern telephone.

Yesterday was a very inclement day. The early morning was wet and stormy. The morning was threatening and about noon heavy rain set in. For the next hour or two there was a veryheavy downpour accompanied by vivid lightning and heavy thutndor. The afternoon was decidedly wet with heavyslmwers and an accompaniment of hail, the atmosphere being decidedly cooler.

Special offering to men and hoys for Easter week: —A discount of .'ls in the t off all suits, tweed trousers, knickers, overcoats. We also have till! stocks of shirts, underwear, ties, sox, etc at Addisons.—Advt.

The manager of Ihe (»rcy abattoirs reported for March the stock deal! with was—Cows It!, bullocks Did, sheep Hot), lambs 012, pigs 0, calves l<. Condemned, 2 bullocks; tees collected CHS Ids 9d. The year’s figures showed there were examined 219 cows, 1550 bullocks, 9734 sheep, (ill pigs, 25 calves Condemned 4 cows, (5 bullocks, 8 sheep Fees for the year £1482.

At Christchurch Magistrate's Court on Wednesday a man named Balkind was charged with having carried a revolt'd beyond the limits of his dwelling house, and also with having brought a firearm from Australia into New Zealand without a license. He was lined 20s and costs on the first charge, and was convicted and ordered to pay <s costs on the second. The revolver and ammunition were ordered to he iorfeited to the police.

Ti:e attendance of ladies at the down Hall on Thursday afternoon to form a committee in connection with the Ain zac Ball on the ‘2Bth inst, was not large. Misses F. Evans, K. Coster, Mesdames Butland and -Morgan, with power to add to their number, were appointed to take charge of the suppei arrangements for the evening. It was resolved to ask the ladies of the town to supply a plate, which may he sent to the Drill Shed on the afternoon of the 28th inst. Admission to the hall will he ladies 2s; gentlemen its; including tax.

In spite of the very unfavourable weather on Thursday night there was a very fair attendance at Longford Hall lvokatahi when Hon. H. L. Michel, delivered his interesting address on “Samoa anti the islands of the Pacific.’ 'Hie lecturer was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion. Mr Michel in expressing his regret at his inability to screen the photographs of the tour stated if he could make arrangements for light at a later date he would he pleased to do s° on behalf of one of then* local institutions.

A correspondent (a resident of Koiterangi) supplies some interesting coincidences in which number thirteen is involved. He joined the expeditionary forces and left New Zealand on Nov. 13th, and landed in Vranee on April 13th. Left England for Now Zealand on April 13th. had the luck to draw IT from the paymaster on the 13th, when others were refused; secured a Government grant with number 1.3; bought 13 cows from a farmer; had a fire in the house on the 13th, which was suppressed; on the 13th left for Wellington to get married, and on arrival there found the church burnt down and wa« married in a hall used for the purpose, being placed on that occasion in a seat hearing tee number 13. The coincide,ice still continues, for on Thursday, the 13th he came before the Magistrate under the Arms Act, when lie was fined for having a Winchester rifle with a 13 Lore hut the coincidence ended there because the court costs involved only totalled 7s.

Have von visited “Paterson’s” opposite the National Bank in Revell street? If you haven’t, do so at oUco, and see for yourself the extraordinary values offering in ladies’ stockings, blouses, jumpers, overcoats, towels, sheetings, longflotfis, flannelettes, blankets, etc. A special feature is the exceptional values offering in men’s trousers, overcoats, and Cardigan jackets You are cordially invited to come in and inspect our stock, and are under no obligation to buy. Agents lor 0Taylor and Co., expert dyers and dry cleaners, also Scr.tt Service Stylish Suits, Suit and extra pants for £4 10s 6d.--Adyt, An ideal spirit for botA {fWfcfJs’*® fom'B scurwm

The Canterbury Education Board in tliis issue suggests the dates for schools to close for the autumn vaca:ion. In pursuance of the Anz.ac Day Amendment Act 1921-22 the 25th. April will be observed by the Railway Department as Sunday. The meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council called for Thursday evening lapsed for want of a quorum, only Messrs Perhain, Lloyd, Pi.lkington and King putting in an appearance.

Just arrived—lso cases of choice dessert and cooking apples iii 40lb eases. Price 8s 6d to 10s according to variety. Paterson, Michel and Go.. Ltd. (Phone Xo. 2). —Advt.

To-night! preme Hall, the pomjw Saturday nightdame is being ham. Come along and enjoy a good ni#t’s amusment. GcoJ music. Good flpnv Admission Is Id.— Advt. f

.Many people are talking about “Ivofgo,” the great cough cure, ' which is being sold by leading ehemists and grocers on the Coast at 2s fill a bottle. A guarantee is given that if one dose does not give relief to a cough, the purchaser can have his money hack. So it sounds very genuine. One dose of ‘Kol'go” will relieve the most hacking of coughs.

it is notified in this issue that poppies for Poppy Day to extend from April 22-21, are now available for sale in the country districts. Also wreaths of large poppies will be made up for memorials for relatives, friends, Clubs or Associations. The small poppies are Is each, and the largo poppies 2s Cd each. Orders at'e now taken for Wreaths of poppies from 12s fid upwards. Orders may be sent to the President, Returiic i Soldiers’ Association, c/o P.O. Box 64, Hokitika. Poppies required for county districts should he ordered at once. , Thanks are tendered to our readers by Glasson and Co. for the response and support accorded the firm during the past few weeks at Keller’s sample rooms. Hundreds of coats have been s Id, each being wonderful value. There still remain, however, some very smart styles in tweed, and it is a case of either repacking them, or selling them this week at a big sacrifice. The latter course has been decided upon, and any tweed coat in the rooni may now l>c bought for 49s 6d and 59s (id. Xo matter whether the former price be sor fi guineas, the price to-day is 19s 6d and 59s fid. Make your call an earlv one.—Advt.

At Addington stock sales on Wednesday last there was a good average carding and very keen demand at start of sale, which, however, felt away towards thf* citd, both for hacclnbrS and workers, the latter of which were in jver-suppiy. Values were: —Choppeis I'd to L‘s, light baconers US 10s to £4 ss, heavy baconers £4 lOs to £5 ss, average price per lb (id to fijdj hght porkers 50s to 555, heavy porkers 60s to 355, a vet age price per lb 9d to 9-sd. There was a medium entry of store pigs

and the sale showed an improvement on last week’s, prices all round being beaten. A line of 26 good stores from Mollwrnith Bros (Soul hbridge) made 60s. Values were: —‘Best stores 52s to 60s, medium stores 32s to 48s, small stores 18s to 21s, wemiers 8s tti 12k.

Astounding values at “ILB’s” reliable footwear at manufacturer’s cost. Head! compare our prices arid be convinced. l adies’ Oxford lace shoes, 21s, Bostock courts 21s, glace Derby shoes 27s Gd. men’s box-hide dress hoots 24s Gd, nailed shooters 23s Gd, bluchers 14s lid, boy’s strong school hoots, (10 to 13), 16s 9d, (1 to 5) 18s Od at the NX Clothing Factory. Largest outfitters in the Dominion Advt.

Special Millinery offering for Easter at Addisons:—3s in the £ discount off ill our high-grade models usual prices 39s Gd, 455, 49s Gd, 555, 59s Gd and (ios, now 33s Gd, 37s Gd, 425, 46s Gd, AOs, and 55s. —Advt. Always use a little “Golden Rule with the famous “NO-RUBBING” Laundry Help for washing clothes scientifically clean.—Dee Bros., Agents for “NO-RUBBING.”

The shorter the day tie colder ih“ night. Protect yourself by purchasing blankets, flannels, and all woollen garments at Addisons. Just landed best quality doctor flannel in pink, cream, navy, Shetland and natural at 4s Gd yd ; also lower grade at 3s 9d. —Advt. Woods’ Great Peppermint Cure,

For Coughs and Colds, never fails