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Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1923, Page 2

Tnic new year that is just entered upi(n, carries 'responsibilities for local ratepayers which it is hoped they will cheerfully assume. They "ill have civic duties to perform, of importance governing both the prospects for the immediate present, and early luture. A loan poll which has been lar too long deferred, is shortly tayomr up for decision. and later the municipal elections arc to come to pass. It behoves the people m take special interest in those matters, so that they may assist in a practical way in taking a personal interest in thi' welfare of the town. No ,me can walk about the town, he it the immediate neighborhood of the principal street, or in outer parts ol the borough, without realising the sad condition into which roads, streets and footpaths have been allowed to fall. With Hokitika soon to enter on a new era. as the result of its closer connection with Christchurch by rail. and the fact that in a year’s time a large exhibition will be in progress, there is an obligaton on the townspeople to see that the borough is placed in seemly order. By adopting the loan proposals lunch local revenue will he freed for maintenance works, and a beginning should he made in a systematic way to put the streets in order. It is a task which will absorb considerable time, and for that reason should he taken in hand without delay, and pushed steadily ahead. If the ratepayers Fail to take a close interest in the matter, the blame for any neglect- will fall primarily upon themselves, but it is Imped enough public spirit will he shown to ensure the townspeople rising to the occasion and doing the right tiling in that spirit of citizenship which might be looked for on such an occasion. This year of special opportunity calls for n greater earnestness on the part of the citizens than lias been manifested hitherto. The year will witness something of the nature of a transporuiiition scene in the relations of the district to the outside world. The direct connection by rail will bring in to close relationship the east and west so far separated hv a difficult mountain pass. With the piercing of the mountain and the easy and readytransport to result for streams of travellers and unlimited freightage, quite a new order of things will come to pass. Folk at this juncture will have a difficulty in realising the possibilities of daily direct trading and intercourse hut certanlv they must lie a tremendous advance on the limits of the present traffic. That being so. there is an obligation to prepare for the busier and more crowded times, which will not he confined only to a holiday season, but will extend generally all through the year including the particular and special occasions which from time to time arise in the normal run of things In making a call upon the citizens, the demand is therefore not to meet any passing, event or eircvmstnnce but the need for setting the town in order for the daily round of steady progress in which all will have a part, and all will directly and indirectly share. The town is of limited capacity, which means a degree of concentration in the benefits to those who are prepared to help themselves to participate in the new order of events. But the town as a whole should rise to the occasion so far as seeing that the principal thornoghfares are in passable order. and that the present well founded charges of neglect arc removed.. If the Council charged with these ordinary respon•ihilit'es of rpi'iiipi; a) ia

not equal to the task, the act under which it works makes provision for culling to its aid committees of citizens to advise and otherwise assist, and such a provision could be very wisely taken advantage of in this year of duty and opportunity, if the best is to he done in preparing Hokitika for the fuller destiny it is now approaching.