The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 31st, 1922 LOCAL BODIES TO CONFER.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 31st, 1922 LOCAL BODIES TO CONFER.

The second conference of local bodies to 1m- held to-night should excite something more than a passing interest in the minds of those who have the welfare of the district at heart. Tlio limitu to the value of these gatherings can be measured only by the enthusiasm and energy the public men themselbes throw into’tho meetings. The time has been reached when much requires to be done locally if the district as a whole is to take ready advantage of the future it can win for itself when linked up with the railway system of tho South Island, to say nothing of the very important fact that the West Coast will be linked also, with the deep sea harbors of the East Coast. Tho facilities for transport and travel will work wonders hereabouts if the place is set in older to profit by the new conditions. The time when tho railway will be operating is now very near at hand. Tho Prime Minister at Christchurch tho other day, spoke of traffic being opened before Christmas, which means that within a short term of six months, wo will be on the eve of tho long waited for connection. It is a short time to wait now compared with the years of waiting and intervals of anxiety, and disappointment in the past. It is necessary then to be up and doing, and seek to place the house in order for the new conditions which will then obtain. The public men of this district in the past have done a great deal. Their traditions livo in the minds of the people to-day. In a very short time the forest was felled and cleared, towns established x nnd roads pushed through tho country. Settlement went oc apace in the prosperous days. Tho good times, however were lleeting. Tho first Hash of the ‘•rush” days died down and quiet times followed. Since then matters have revived. A certain amount of transition has gone on in the interval. There has been the gradual change in the occupations of tho people. The goldminer hag turned his hand to pastoral pursuits. Other industries have become established. There lias been mo aim at greater permanency, and now finally comes the means to bring Westland within touch and reach of the markets of the world. The lack of markets here has restricted growth and expansion. The barrier of the Southern Alps will lie pierced, and a stream of traffic result which will eieute « volume of trade and development hardly realisable yet. Such a conference as that to-night should help to focus thoughts in the direction of assisting to forge the district ahead. To improve the internal means of communication, to encourage the addition of further accommodate, to stimulate a wider interest in civic affairs, and create a pride in the improvement of the town. Hokitika is the natural centre of a great tract of wonderful scenic country. It has exceptional advantages if the conditions are but realised and catered for In the past the people have come hero in their hundreds. Tho completion of the railway will enable them to come in their thousands. How are they to he catered for, both in hostel accommodation in town and country, and in facilities to travel the district? Many folk will come to spy out the land, and not a few will remain. The town and district will grow. It is tho right time to organise for the brighter times ahead, and a gathering such'us tnot to-night should concentrate on helping towards the good times by every means in its power.