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Hokitika Guardian, 13 March 1923, Page 2

The commuiiiy showed an estimable spirit last night at the Town Hall when ihe exhibition project was finally launched. It is to bo a very important occasion, marking dual events of both historic and sentimental interest. The feelings of the people might well have been aroused by the commemoraI tions in mind and they were. It was an enthusiastic meeting. The atmoj sphere was no doubt contributed to by j the presence of the visiting Christchurch gentlemen whose inspiring addresses must have given great confidence to the audience. Both gentlemen predicted a great success if the Exhibition were carried through on the right lines. They had no doubt about the volume of the exhibits. They Were of a single mind as to the support Canterbury and the other Industrial Associations would lend. They gave valuable advice about the help which might be sought from Government. They indicated many ways in which the great display could be ororganised to the best advantage. The estimates given of cost and the facilities whereby revenue could he raised were very valuable. Altogether it was a very happy thought to secure the presence of the two gentlemen, and exceedingly good of them to give their time jis a. labor of love to launch the proposition. The townspeople present last night agreed to guarantee upwards of £2,000 towards the financial success of the venture. Many business people firms and traders were absent, so that with the additional assistance which should be obtainable, the help from the local bodies, and assistance from well wishers throughout the district genei rally, the guarantee amount named should be more than doubled. The response was very gratifying and was the right sort of evidence to indicate the spirit in which the project was taken up. The meeting, also, did excellently in selecting Mr W. J. Rutler as Chairman of the Executive. Mr Butler’s

general knowledge, experience, and well known energy will be of tho greatest value, and it is another very gratifying sign to find a gentleman of liis calibre coming forward to take the leading position °in the movement. The success of the great event appears to lie well foreshadowed. There is the assurance of as good exhibition and the certainty of a'great inflowing army of visitors. It remains now tor the organisation to be perfected and the machinery to be put into motion. It will entail much work and careful administration but in tho spirit in which the task is being tackled at this stage, certainly there is every indication of pronounced success.

I' nE meeting at the County Chambers to-night to consider matters pertaining t<> manufacturers’ interests should arouse local interest. The coming union with Canterbury is going to give the Coast special facilities to extend its industrial occupations, and in record to secondary industries in particular there is sure to be a marked development. Mr .Tonkin who is interesting himself in the matter, purposes speaking both here and at Greymouth. As President of the Canterbury Industrial Association, as well as President of the New Zealand Industrial Corporation, Air .Tonkin lias a wide knowledge j of matters pertaining to the encouragement of manufacturers, and although I industries here are in their infancy in respect to size, or output, there will be a good deal to glean from the information the visitor will he able to impart. The visit, we arc hoping, will stimulate interest in regard to a general expansion of industry along ihe Coast, for which railway isolation communication and direct service to the Dominion markets there should he a natural development here altogether to the advantage of the individual manufacturer as well as to the community at large by the increased production and the attendant wealth created.