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Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1923, Page 2

Thekk is one very important civic matter which calls for urgent attention, and that is the state of the Town Hall. This most handsome wooden building in the town is failing into a state of disrepair and dilapidation which is not creditable either to the Council or the people. When are repairs to lie attended to, and the exterior of the building at least made more presentable ? There is. of course, a section of the people desirous ol seeing a new town hall and municipal theatre erected in the town. These would be very nice if actually essential, and there was a prospect of the structure paying its way. The present Town Hall will quite meet the requirements of the municipal Council for a long time to come, and it would be more economical to spend

a couple of hundred in repairs to tho present building than spend fire thousand pounds at least on a new hnll-euin-theatre edifice. So with the theatre, it is not urgently necessary. It would be very pleasant to have a first class auditorium and a magnificent stage, hut it would be a colossal white elephant from a paying point of view. And it is very questionable if the money could be raised for such a purpose anyhow. If additional money can he found it is more pressing that the amount should be spent on public works in the restoration of the present Town Hall and streets to a more presentable appearance.

Am, shades of political opinion should welcome the reappearance of Sir Joseph Wiird on the horizon of Dominion politics. A representative of such outstanding ability can ill he spared from the counsels of the State. Sir Joseph has done great things for New Zealand He was our foremost Postmaster-Gene-ral. He was a most progressive Tourist Minister. He was an outstanding success as Minister of Finance.

He has served the Dominion well, and his greatest service was in the National Ministry during the period of the war. Sir Joseph is now to he a candidate for the Taurnnga seat. Tlis selection from the party point of view appears to have been unanimous. The district embraces parts of the North Island where some of his host work as Minister for Tourist Resorts has been performed. His reputation on that account- should stand high, but bis whole political record, with his high Imperial work and his great record for progressive legislation should stand him in the best stead. Jlis return to Parliament would be most seiwieeable, for llie government needs criticism most of all with regard to its financial methods. Sir Joseph Ward is one of the most capable men in New Zealand to appear as finamial critic and there is no department of the administration where the government. should more welcome the constructive criticism Sir Joseph Mar' could offer. The eyes of the political world will for the time being be directed towards Taurnnga and alter? —but that is another story.