The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY. JUNE 5th. 1922. A YEAR OF PROMISES.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY. JUNE sth. 1922. A YEAR OF PROMISES.

I his hemp elect»on year, is n»i sm* prising to find tho Prime Minister proJitic with promises. Their performance is going to he quite another matter, tint in some instances action will have to be pre-election if only as a guarantee of good faith. There is a lulling re venue and it is not clear yet there is to he a corresponding reduction in expenditure, but needs must compel retrenchment in the end, especially ii some of the promises are to be fulfilled in the near future* The public have been much perturbed about the railway management of late, and all over the Dominfoits there are complaints. The Premier promised some immediate reforms with the object of meeting the criticism. The “cut’’ has had a disastrous effect on revenue, and there may lie some easing up in that respect. Also, the tariff is to he revised so as to enable the railways to compete more effectively with competitive road traffic, tt will he a wise thing to do, because tho railway might just as well earn the revenue which is being lost Mow by road traffic, and which ti n Hi; is adding more add iiiorC id the cost of . road maintenance, (h regard to postal and telegraph charges, there is the promise again of some favorable revision. The drop in business and the maintenance of staffs, has not worked for economical results. There is no doubt the existing staffs could do more business within tho hours allotted daily, if the extra business were attracted by a cheaper tariff. That is likely to cotne to pass, and will he to the credit of the Dominion which up to a certain point Ted tiie world in the matter of postal progress. The, racing fraternity has been iipproftching Mr Massey for s°mc relief of the heavy taxation, which if maintained will tend to kill the sport. He has promised to do something in that direction at the commencement of next racing season—August. The relief expected will he more for the assistance of the owners, than for help to the clubs. The clubs must wait their turn under the general taxation scheme as likely to ho affected by the report of the special committee set up to report on taxation principles. That re. port will he ready for Parliament, and '.i promises to he influential enough to weigh with the Government. Some measure of relief must he given in regard to land ftnd income taxation, which is hearing so heavily on national development. The burden now is too great, and wealth is being too greatly hied for the sole objective of enablin'the Government to carry on a costly administration which does not afford real value for the money it runs away with. Speaking at Invercargill last week, Air Massey said retrenchment was not a pleasant task, hut it is as necessary for the Government as the employer who desires to carry on within reasonable lines. It is a matter for tho practice of common honesty—to live rationally within the means available. For some considerable time past the 'Government had not done so. nor did it even attempt to do so. till driven to the absolute necessity. The Prime Minister ns he goes about the country and meets the people will realise there is much for the Conference to do to promote the general prosperity of the country and if lie wishes to keep pace with the times, will have to make many promises. Once made lie will lie expected to take reasonable means to fulfil promises.

It is lo he hoped that the united representations which are being ma.de to-da.v in Christchurch by the Canterbury and Westland delegates to the Prime V 1 ister in regard to the completion and utility of the Otirn tunnel, will hear good fruit. Actually, the tunnel will he ready in a few months now, hut it is so urgently required for commercial purposes that it cannot he available too soon. Any saving in weeks or months will he of value all round, to the Government in the revenue to accrue, to the farmers and others in facilities for transport to a market, and to the public for the convenience of quick and ready means of transit. At the late Conference of' local bodies, one phase was stressed in regnrd to the carriage of flutter and cheese through the tunnel. Tn this alone a great saving can he made to the producers, who with a drop in prices, naturally look for all the economy possible in regard to the sale of their products. There are very hampering delays by sea transit. The loss in time and the deterioration in the product, there being no cool storage, is very great. Some of the butter which was sent away, reached the New Zealand cool stores in a condition not fit for export—it could not he graded for that purpose. That loss fell on the factory and the suppliers responsible for the product. Tt should not lie a difficult matter to arrange the weekly haulage of West Coast butter and cheese through the tunnel, so as to link up the two railway systems. If a time, were set apart the factories could arrange for their export accordingly, and the commodities would thus he transferred to cool storage quarters in a minimum of time. The produce would not suffer tlirougli, deterioration duo to weather or exposure as results now. A fnrmois renuest should appeal to Mr Massey*; and for the sake of all concerned it is to he hoped satisfactory results Wijl accrue from the request.

Tiie proposal for. « exhibition to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Province, did not evoke a groat deal of helpful criticism at the Bocal Bodies Conference last week. The commemoration of the, occasion is one which should he marked in sonic special way, and an exhibition is a very fitting way, advertising the district as it does. At the time of the golden jubilee a few vears ago, the present generation will remember the event passed off excecdimriv well. The occilsiOn was creditable to. all Now that ' abut hr 1 milestone hi provincial life if, b'eidg approached, there is no reason why the district should hot lay itself out to mark the passing of sixty years of active colonial life in a special mannei. \n exhibition such as might lie organised would involve considerable prelimniarv expense. That, however need not deter action, because an exhibition well organised could run for several weeks, and would earn a great deal ol revenue. When the eventful jubilee time arrives, the district will be linked with the South Island railway system, and under a scheme of cheap exhibition fares, the inflow of visitors would be very great—running into many thousands of people. By securing the cooperation of the Industrial Association in Canterbury and elsewhere, an exhibition of considerable magnitude could he arranged, there are certain buildings which would he available, but others would require to be added—temporary structures, which would lie saleable when their purpose is served. Ilk’ scheme suggests itself as one ol very great possibilities and would supply <rrcat results. Hokitika in the early days bad a very creditable exhibition built entirely tioni its own resources, and to these may now be added outside resources, and the prospects for all loinid success api*ar to be very on con raging indeed

111.- Westland (Tuiinher of Commerce meeting fixed for to-morrow night, has been adjoiinied for a week.

On I'hursdny afterilooii Miss Alice Treaoy, of Christchurch, Road. had her leg broken, a* a result of a piece of timber striking her.

A general practice of H.M.S. l’iirlore will lie' held in the Masonic buildings to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 8 o'clock.

Addison’s announce reductions on all millinery, many lilies are iiiidef- half original price. A glance at their window will show quality hats at bargain prices.

Mr Klhelbert Henhem suffered a sc-, verc injury to his limit!, by meaiis of.* mi axe, while, working tor tile Tereniukau Sawmill Coy. on Friday afternoon.

At the Magistrate’s Court this mono ing before Mr A. K. Beniamin, J.P.. two residents of the district charged with being drunk on Cass Square on Saturday afternoon, ditl not appear, and were convicted and lined 10s each.

The Ross Returned Soldiers are holding a grand fanev dress and masquerade trail in Totara Hall on Friday next. Very complete arrangements are being made and this,annual lunetion ih being cHgcrlv looked toi'vard to. Patrons should spend a very enjoyable evening.

Bargains at Lloyd’s for A weeks only. Sale commences Tuesday Juno 6th when substantial reductions will be made on all seasonable stock, underwear, towels, shantungs, etc. Don’t miss this opportunity and come early to obtain the pick.

The Governor-General sent the following telegram to his Majesty the King on the occasion of his Majesty’s birthday:—l beg to tender, on behalf of tin* Government and people ol New Zealand', most rcspee'fiil good wishes on the occasion of your Majesty s biitliday, together with the renewed assurance of the unswerving loyalty and devotion of your Majesty’s New /calami subjects to the Throne and Empire.

AY,, regret to record the death of Mrs Mary Connelly, of Rimii, which took place on Saturday. Deceased was a very old resident of the district, was it native of Tipperary, Ireland, and 77 years ot age. Her husband died some six years ago. She leaves a family of three daughters (Mr; \V. Stephens of Rimu, Mrs J. Houinhnn of Auckland, and Mrs T. Harlev, of Gvcvniouth) and one son (Timothy) who resides in Rotorua district.

The sawmilling ‘industry locally, appears to he in for a had time, as there are reports current of more mills either closing down or reducing stalls. The peiod of stringency, is indefinite, hut it is hoped the slump will not he of long duration. With the early opening of the Otira. tunnel for goods’ traffic there should he a great and lasting tillip to the timber trade, and lor that reason the completion of the line cannot he accomplished too soon.

Mr James King who has been connected with local acclimatisation work for the past thirty years, and has been Secretary of the Westland Society for the pastj 20 years, lias, owing to business eitgaements resigned his honorary office -Mr King has done much useful work for tl.e Society, m regard to which he has been an indefatigable winker for throe decades. A meeting of the Society will he convened shortly to elect a successor to .Mr King in the secretarial work.

Hev I’. li. eraser, .VI.A., Editor ol the JJiblical Kecordcr, published in Sydney, and aiiuior ol a ••Uriel Statement oi the Keformed Faith” received intimation by a -recent mail from London ! that ho has been elected an associate of | tne \ ictoria Institute, or Philosophical | Society of Great Britain. The objects of this Society, founded in the year 1805, are, as stated: —First—lo investigate in a reverent spirit, important questions of philosophy and science, especially those bearing oil Holy Scripture. Second—To arrange for addresses from men who have themselves contiibuted to progress in science and research, and thus to bring the members and associates ol the institute into direct touch with the latest advances. Third.—Jn humble faith in One Eternal God, who creates all things good, to combat the unbelief now prevalent by directing attention to the evidences of the Divine care for mini that are supplied by science, history and religion. An annual volume of transactions, including the papers read at the liieet--1 ings of the Institute in London, is published, the latest volume being the fifty-third. The •Presidents of the Institute. since the foundation have been The Right Hon. The Karl of Shaftesbury K.C.. Sir George Gabriel Stokes. ■Bart, D.C.L., F.R.S.. and until lus death recently, the Right Hon. The Earl of Halsimry, P.C., F.R.S., the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. The Vice-Presidents include the Dean of Canterbury Canon Girdlestone, Sir H. H. Hownrth, E.R.S.. Col. MacKinlay and Dr A. T. Schofield the well-known medical authority, Chairman of Council. The volume of the Transactions include papers l>y the most eminent men of science, Philosophy and exploration in the past fifty years representing every sphere of scholarship in the British Empire.

The hockey match, Mawhera (Grey) I v. Hokitika, won by the former by 3 goals to 2, after a very good game. .Mr White (Grey) was referee. A social and gift auction will be hold in Longford Hall on Wednesday, June 14th in aid of St. Savior’s orphanage and St. Aidan’s Church repairing fund. A meeting of the Referees Association will be held this evening at < o’clock. The Sub-Union meets at 8 o’eiilelt: f The friends of/Mr T. 1L Hickson are mvitedxto n/et at Keller’s Hotel to-morrow (Tujftday) afternoon at d o’clock for tl|/ purpose of bidding him goodbye.—Advt. The train from Greymouth to Hokitika on Wednesday afternoon next will not leave till 5.10 p.m., in connection with the Soccer football match at Greymouth. The Kiwi Football Club held a dance in aid of the fund for the blind on Saturday night after the Sing Song, . and as a result the fund benefited by over £4. 1 The appointment of .Miss Nita 0. M. Hopkins of Christchurch to the posltiou of assistant mistress of the Gre% PIIS recommended bv the Canterbury' Education Board, lias been approved by the Grey School Committee.

ii Grand Concert and Ball will be held in the Public Hall Kanierl on "Wednesday June 14tli. in aid of Pirates Football Club. Admission to concert Is; Ball—Ladies Is; Gents 2s 6d. Advt.

Tim Great Barrier where the Wiltshire was wrecked on Thursday last, was the scene of a terrible wreck on Oitober 28th, 1804. when the Union C.'nipenv’s steamer W’airatapa rail on to the rocky cliffs at Miner’s Head at the opposite end of the island to that on which the "Wiltshire came to R net. The Wnirarapa was Coming from b.ulnev to Auckland, rind struck toggv weather .oil the coast, on a thick, dark nbd.t. There were 220 people on board, and the loss of life was very heavy, 120 persons being drowned. Owing to the list of the vessel and the heavy sea i, was impossible to launch the lifeboats, but rafts were cut adrift, _ and mativ persons were saved by clinging to these frail supports. The survivors were oil the rocks for some thirty hours and the first people to discover_ them were some Maoris. There was no telephone to the island in those days an tip survivors did not reach Auckland until three days later. This wreck was one of the worst tragedies that >a h occurred on the New Zealand coast. Xearlv■ a dozen small vessels have been wrecked on the Barrier coast during the mist 20 to 30 years.

The Community Sing Song in Oie Princess Theatre on Saturday night i aid of the fund for the Blind of M« Zealand drew a great crowd, the theatre being crowded to the door , and a large number had to stand » the passages and door ways ItMavor (Mr G. A. Berry) J»c sided anMr’W E Perrv conducted those oi, the stage were Messrs Aldndgh and Se'tdon. Misses .Tones Stand and Davidson, who rendered solos. ■ Ddv and Mr 1-awn supplying tie -u coinpanimonts, whik Mel tra rendered splendid assistance. I proceedings were very hearty, the larg crowd joining in the singing in no half hearted manner, the proceedings beilT" all too short for the large .assemblage who all appeared to j themselves. The pit was well filled wun the footballers whose lusty voices weie J , ”ici.hle. Altogether the laf"functions. *fl f collection Uken «P in aid of the fund for^ the hlmd w suited in the sum of £-< * <)h - 1,01 R ,-ived. The National Anthem concluded a very enjoyable musical pr - gramme,

Sure and certain, WADE’S WORM FIGS. Children like them. 'An inspection of the following will sellin" at Air W. Stopforth s. Boj s all wool grey heather jerseys from 9s fid, men’s from Us fid, eardiga i jackets from 18s Gd. Retone a -woo singlets and pants from 8s fid, aU-'"° o mufflers from 5s 6d; also shirts, c lars, ties, overcoats, towels etc. at prices to suit.—Advt. Motorists: A “PRESTO” EXT V GUI Shi EE, price 77s Gd will save \oui car from loss even if,outbreak of hre fifty miles from nowhere. 10 pel «nt insurance rebate. Manning Machines Co 5 Bedford Row- Christchurch.