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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1922, Page 2

Wk were glad to give publicity to the Traffic; -Manager’s letter yesterday in regard to railway services, if only to appreciate what has been dune h.oal.y to meet lequirenients tor traffic over tlie holiday rush In many ways difficult positions have been met most helpfully for the public, and it is only fair to acknowledge those excellent arrangements. Ll aas mentioned in Wednesday’s issue what had been done to cope with the ordinary traffic on Saturday, when the East and West Coast service was congested. Again yesterday, special arrangements were made for horse traffic both from Hokitika and Imingaliua Junction to Greymouth, to facilitate contesting horses reaching tlie convincing ground at the earliest moment. All this is veiy much appreciated. But as was remarked in

the Editor’s footnote of yesterday, the same consideration whs lacking in regard to tlie East and West Coast service. This is to be attributed, no doubt, to tile dual control as between 1 th e Railways and Public Works De--1 I’ai tiuents, and that is where the blame must lie saddled on the Government, administration. In such cases it would oi should, he possible to focus responsibility definitely on one or other of the Departments concerned and have the traffic efficiently catered for. At ■ present there is not any unity of action ; and the public are suffering. They have to put up with the loss and inconvenience going on both publicly and privately, so they are paying both ways all the time. Tlie Governmentlias delayed the tunnel works for so long that the blame must lie placed 1 in that quarter, attributable in the main to the delay in entering into the electrical contract, which was so essential a part in regard to the completion of the tunnel. Yet, when Ioc;fl bodies agitated on the point years ago. they were put off, not to say snubbed, by Ministers for pointing out what should be done. Fortunately the present will lie the last Christmas when a congestion of “over the hill” traffic can occur, though it is on the cards that the “through the lp]l” traffic, will

be subject to serious congestion at times. No doubt passengers, mails luggage, and perishable goods will he catered for equal to requirements, and we may look to the future with every hope that grounds for complaint in regard to present conditions will have been removed entirely. With proper co-ordination under one departemntnl

nirlnagenient, the holiday traffic by the midland railway should he more satisfactory—though the authorities will no doubt realise it is going to be an increasing quantity requiring the closest attention and consideration to encourage it. The week saw the holidays well launched under favorable weather conditions Large numbers of visitors came to the Coast, many coining “home for the holidays,’’ or to renew old acquaintance. In addition the holiday-maker anxious for change of scene made his way to the Coast in considerable numbers. Unfortunately the weather did not, hold good. On Wednesday it broke badly, and yesterday heavy showers succeeded one another in the effort to clear up. At the time of writing the weather does not promise too well for to-day. The principal local event —the races—opened in beautiful weather on Boxing Day, and the local racecourse was patronised by a record attendance. Unfortunately the weather for the second day was a complete reversal. It turned out verv wet and

boisterous, and although the Club lias

had wot days in the past, ft is ques- • tionable if ever such a rough and persistently wet day has boon experienced here before for an outdoor gathering. ; The programme was gone through, and was kept right up to time. The patronage under the circumstances was surprisingly good. The sudden change in the weather was very unfortunate, as there was the promise of a most successful meeting if the weather had held. However, under the adverse circumstances the best was made of the occasion and the public catered: for to the best advantage. It is to be hoped more favourable conditions will prevail for the remainder of the Coast racing carnival The indications were that with the large attendance, and brisk speculation, to say nothing of the well-dressed and orderly crowds, the Coast was continuing to make steady headway, and that there was a considerable measure of prosperity disclosed by - the life and ' movement of the holiday makers. By the time another year rolls round the hug bear of isolation which has been such a drawback to the Coast, will be permanently removed, and the district should then be progressing by leaps and bounds.