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Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1923, Page 2

Comme.nci.no iii-day tliu members of the Australasian Association for the Ad- | vancemetit of Science wiS be attending j in Wellington its sixteenth meeting, j The necessities of war time caused the j abandonment of the meetings between j 1913 and 1921, so that- it is now nine- j teeu years since the association last j met iii New Zealand. This association | is the oif-shoot of the British Assueia- | tion lor the Advancement of Science j a body iotindeil ninety years ago “to ■ give a stronger impulse and a more j systematic direction to scientific in- j quiry, to promote the intercourse of those who cultivate science in the different parts of the British Empire with one another, and to obtain a greater degree of national attentfcii to the objects of science." Its membershjf) was • open to "all persons interested in ! scientific pursuits. So quickly did this I association grow that it. was divided at j once into a number of sections each in I charge of a single subject or group of subjects and often after the discussion of these, recommendations would be made of great national value of the endowment and supervision of research in various branches would be under- ' taken. A notable feature cf the'n’itivb 1

' ties of the association was tinis tile appointment of research committees, which could carry forward on behalf oi tile association investigations in which the co-operation of many authorities was required, and as a result of which a. comprehensive report on the whole matter considered could he l repaired. The association so won tlie confidence of the British Government that it has j often adopted, and acted upon its nd- | vice and placed large sums of money in the care of the association for the promotion of science. i It would Ins well for the burgesses of j Hokitika to realise before it is too late j that a negative attitude towards the j Borough loan proposals would he a very harmful state of affairs at this juncture-. | There is probably a lack of confidence j in the Council and its general managej input, due in the main to the indiffer- ' puce of the councillors themselves to j the municipal welfare of the town. I The policy of drift of rest and lie j thankful wliicli marks the Borough I policy oi laic years, has resulted in | the town tailing into a state of disrej pair which is a sad reflection on the enterprise and ‘‘go", usually associated with the general public spirit perj fading the town. This result is dec chiefly to the lack of leadership in me : Council. There will he the opportunity to remedy matters in the near future if the citizens are prepared to take up the burden of municipal dates unselfishly. In April next, the I'suai civic elections will conic to pass, and it the electors are not. satisfied with the personnel of the Council, the oppoitunitv will offer to effect changes considered desirable. AYith this prospect in mind it would be a wise step to provide the incoming Council with the ways and means to enter upon a progressive municipal policy for the improvement ol tiii' chief thoroughfares. 'The loan proposals if adopted at the coming poll will give the m-w Council a busy term of office and enable the members to do something in a practical way. Bui the Council itself in securing a new lease of life should make

resolution' to n-r Ihe fresh opportunity under the improved conditions to

better and more aci ivc advantage than heretofore. This will I e possible by creating a new atmosphere, and if the (lectors consider it necessary, the ili--1 induction of some fresh Idood to the Council. A civic opportunity of peculiar advantages is thus opening up to f’e townspeople.