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Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1922, Page 2

Tin-: heavy and regular loss daily on tlio railways suggests that long ore this remedial measures should ha.de been taken to cope with the very severe leakongc to the national accounts. For the iirst period of this financial year, April Ist to July 22iul, there has been n falling of revenue equal to i£1,420 per day, counting in Sundays. At this rate, it means a decline in the year of over half «. million in the railway revenue. This abnormal falling-off calls for special attention. Something should be known of where the chief loss is being incurred, and in that quarter remedies should be attempted. As far as public information goes, the railway lines are so grouped that knowledge of where the shortage is, is withheld, hut at Head Office the information should he available, and if the Alinister in charge were administering the lines on business principles, the weak spots would be known and quickly attended to. As it is, the “cut” and the increase of freights applied generally so that the paying and the non-paying sections were treated alike. This is manifestly un-business like. In the same way the railway freights on certain lines encourage a heavy loss in the handling of the goods, yet the trade continues to bo catered for on preferential lines at tho expense of other traffic. If a clear statement of the various sections sub-divided into branch lines, were published, with the relative earnings and upkeep, the situation would bo in the grasp of all, and certainly it is along those lines whereby" useful reforms can be brought about, and the railways so managed as to become a more payable proposition. The matter is of great import to tho national revenue for the railway figures are very high and when a, decrease of over half a million of revenue is in sight, it is time for those responsible in the matter to do something practical to retrieve the menacing situation.

“Thu root of all good government is a live and active civic spirit,” was one striking phrase- in the King’s Speech when opening the County Hall on the Thames, the new home of the London County Council. It is a palatial building, the foundation stone of which was laid ten years ago, hut the war delayed the realisation of the architect’s splendid vision, King George’s appeal for mi “active rivio spirit” is appealing. mkl it oppllps ts (ill nnrtu sf the 'Brii:

pire. “Tlie men of old times,”' said his Majesty, ‘‘were wise in erecting line buildings in tlieir towns. It is necessary to appeal to the imagination—a public authority meanly housed may ho meanly esteemed. This noble hall, the seat of the government of the county of London will he typical of the importance of their duties and responsibilities and should stimulate the development of that sense of citizenship so difficult and yet so imperative to cultivate.” The King struck tlie right note, and it should he taken to mind by all having the civic welfare at heart. The King’s speech might well re-echo here in Hokitika where the Town Hall is the civic council’s home. It is a building of architectural adornment, yet it is being allowed to fall into disrepair that is at onc-e a reflection on our civic pride, ns also our civic forethought. To reverse what his Majesty said, our Council is not meanly housed, but its dwelling place is rather meanly esteemed, judging bv the disrepair the building is allowed to fall into. The building requires an overhaul structurially. Certainly its ornate , front should he put in order, and then turned over to the painters. The interior is fairly well looked after, excepting

where a leaky roof has been allowed to j plnv havoc by the overflow. If the live ! and civic spirit—the root of all good ( government—would stir up the minds 1 of the councillors, the reproach hero made would he quickly removed. Let I it he soon, we pray.