The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1923. A NOTABLE EVENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1923. A NOTABLE EVENT.

Thp. exhibition proposed to be held hero in December next to mark the diamond jubilee of 4\ estlaud Province, and in particular to commemorate the completion of the East and Most Coast railway so far as the union of Canterbury and Westland is concerned, promises to be a notable event. There is a degree of outside interest manifested in the event which augurs well, and indicates .ijj unsual amount of genera! public interest. This is so, not only in regard to probable exhibitors—which of coarse are the first essential to the material success of the exhibition -but also on the part of the public, who may be expected to flock here in very considerable numbers. This friendly invasion shows that at last the West Coast is coming into its own, and as has been said so often before, with the removal of the mountain barrier to speedy and easy traffic, the people will readily flock to the west, and the districts generally will enter upon a new era of prosperity. Every avenue of trade, industry

or commerce will be stimulated by the opening of a portal which will permit the entry of frsh ] opulention whose numbers and activities will ensure busier times and greater production. 'l'lie general scheme for the exhibition while to some it may appear an over ambitious 011 c. is upon examination within the means of the people as a practical possibility. All that is desired is the unity and good will of tile people, and the spirit of ready co-operation. If the great project be entered upon in the right way. the prevailing feeling of optimism as regards the success of the venture can ho assured. There "dl not be any lack of exhibitors, and the visitors "ill appear in very generous <|Uota. It is being said that the only limitations to the success of the exhibition will lie tile accommodation. 'Phis is true and to that extent is fair criticism. But it is possible to meet it fairly. No doubt the hotelkeepers and private boarding housekeepers "ill rise to the occasion and do the right thing, ’lbis applies imt only to Hokitika, hut al-c to adjacent resorts, and in particular the chief towns con nee tvt 1 with Hokitika by rail. A suit able morning and night train service "ill help to distribute the patronage to the liostclries in the different towns. But something more than this will be required, and if tile State School could be converted into a hostel for tile five or six weeks of the period, the main objection to lack of accommodation would he removed. Such an arrangement would lie all that was required and would lie a supplementary adjunct which would be absolutely indispensihit* to the complete success of the great undertaking. As to the general scheme, the gentlemen who are shortly to visit us from Canterbury "‘ill he aide to give expert information on the conduct ot a large exhibition. Hokitika is fortunate, indeed in having that information at its service. The town is lucky also in the fact that till l Dunedin exhibition which was to have fallen on the ‘heels of the Hokitika display is now postponed for a year. 'I here will lie a clear field here. There arc offers of support from Christchurch and Dunedin a! me which " ill ensure an attractive display. When to this is added the support of the Government, and North Island exhibitors, to say nothing of those overseas, assured success seems to lie doubly sure. It remains now for the local public 1 n particular to rise to the great occasion, and do their part in the usual co-opera-tive spirit which has marked former ventures, perhaps not quite as onerous, but ill their way at the particular time a considerable, liability lor a small place to ndertakc--yet pronounced success to undertake yet pronounced success