The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, MARCH 12th, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, MARCH 12th, 1923.

j THE EXHIBITION PROPOSAL. I A good deal has been published from time to time in respect to the proJ posed exhibition to be held here in j Decernber-Januaiy next to mark the i completion of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel j which completes the important railway i link between Canterbury and Westland I and to celebrate the diamond jubilee j of the province of A\estlaud, due to fall in January. Both occasions are j worthy of celebration, and each is ini- | portant enough in itselt for special obj servance. The finished tunnel gives to the Coast and to New Zealand as a whole modern facilities for trade and traffic, and removes in one act the isolation so long complained of and so great a draw back to local progress. The Jubilee marks ten years added to the stature of AA estland and it is very fitting that in conjunction with the new era the railway will 0)1011- up, the province should pass so interesting a milestone in its history as the sixtieth. Having therefore resolved to, celebrate the dual occasion, and celebrate well, an exhibition is a worthy form of commemoration. It affords facilities to demonstrate the progress of the Coast itself and what is of special importance to advertise on a large scale, its potential wealth. The exliibi-

tion will bring the district prominently to the front, and will make known more widely the resources and opportunities of the place. The exhibition, also, will lie a medium to draw people to the west. To interest them in what is largely a new country, and in the main an undeveloped country. Exhibitions provide a round of pleasures and gaieties which are a source of attraction to holiday makers and sightseers, and ns the bulk of the travelling public will have the unique opportunity of passing through the longest tunnel in the southern hemisphere, the visit to the Coast will not he without its special novelty. Visitors will be »t----traclcd, likewise to a sreliio wonderland—ill fine the Coast to many hundreds of people will lie rediscovered. If Hokitika decides to lie the centre of so great an attraction for the whole holiday traffic of the Dominion, next season, the fillip to trade generally can only be faintly guaged at this stage. AAV are persuaded to think that the influx of people when the railway becomes available will surprise the most sanguine expectations. That being so tlie coast should get busy in preparation for the good time now casting its shadow before. A meeting is to be held to-night to finally focus matters and to give the public an insight as to what is expected of them in the the way of material support to the great project. Tt will -require much organisation, but if the preparations go forward from this time onward, there is ample time available to prepare for what will be the greatest occasion in the history of the province. In times past, this community has risen superior to many notable occasions. The golden jubilee of the province might be quoted as a case in point where the district did itself the fullest justice A greater opportunity is to offer and if availed of llie opportunity will carry in its train greater opportunities in the time to come lor the permanent benefit of the place. The exhibition proposal calls for a display of the spirit of optimism, for the people to take their courage in both hands and go forward with the fixed resolve to achieve success. Tackled in that spirit the venture cannot fail, though there will bo much hard work, much earnest preparation. But by unity of action and a sincere desire to promote the genuine interests of the place a great achievement can be brought to pass to the lasting good of the community and to the pleasure and delight of the stream of visitors who will make their way coastwards.