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Hokitika Guardian, 31 August 1922, Page 2

Tub Vein- Book gives some interesting figures relating to the licensing trade which are worth reproducing as being of some educative advantage in studying the general issue at stake, when in the course of about three months, the electors will he called upon to decide as to the continuance or otherwise of the licensed trade. The figures for the Intest completed year 1918-19. show the fees paid to local bodies for that year were : —counties £10,665 ; boroughs £27.452; town districts £1,700; a total of C 39.817. In all 1,156 licenses were granted. It is very interesting to note that since 1910 when 1,257 licenses were granted, yielding to local bodies a revenue of £44,900, there has been a steady decline in the number of licenses granted, (u the nine years the decrease has been exactly 101 licenses. The average number of persons to each licensed house was 961. as against 732 in 1910, for while the number of licenses decreased, the population lias

shown an increase, thus reducing the average, so time itself is imposing improvements. The approximate capital value of licensed houses in the counties for the year referred to. was stated at £690,491 ; in certain boroughs £1,687,443, and in the town districts, £127,721 There was, besides an annual value of £122,210 for other licensed houses in certain boroughs, which capitalised at 6 per cent would represent £2,036,833. The capital rateable value of all the licensed houses would thus he approximately £4.542,488. This amount being a rating valuation may he considered a conservative estimate, but at least it gives an inkling of the .great value of licensed property in the Dominion, ceitainlv not less than five millions sterling. which would he directly affected were prohibition to become suddenly enforcihle in New Zealand. This is an important aspect of the question, for it is a phase which would have an important hearing on property values all over the country, if licenses were withdrawn, and many of file properties were forced suddenly on the market. This aspect requires to he thought over carefully.

Opr northern neighbors at Greymouth certainly take the palm on the Coast for the interest and enthusiasm put into the annual competitions. Hokitika is lveing quite eclipsed this week, even though the golf tournament was in progress here, by the very fine work in citizen-building being carried on at the annual festival at Greymouth. Yet, from time to time it has been made manifest here that Hie town possesses histrionic talent of no mean order, a id still ■ the town is slow to move in a matter which must he of very great service in building up the minds and mental outlook of the hoys and girls, the voung men and women who participate in these intellectual competitions. Pro. hnhlv the fault lies in the fact that no

■ one will lead. It is » matter whore our educationists might make a move, <’ and if the initial steps were taken there would he much general ' support At Greymouth the competitions are run year after year on very excellent j lines and made to pay their way. This year the Committee has secured three prominent Dominion judges, and has been able also to extend the season, so ! satisfactory are the entries. This is all | very much to the credit of Greymouth as a whole, for without liberal public ' patronage it would not Ire possible to carry on with success financially. Tne I public, too, receive an improving v.dne from the intellectual work done, and 1 the effect must reflect itself all through j the community. What Greymouth is I doing in this important social work ■ might well he imitated by Hokitka ! If a modest beguiling were made, we feel sure the results would justify the 1 movement, and encourage a wider field lof operation as the years go by. It is to be hoped lh c literary and musical , folk of the town will get together and ! seek to establish anneal elocutionary ! and musical competitions in Hokitika r without delay.