Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1923, Page 2

It may he assumed that the Exhibition project being now fairly launched, those charged with its direction will lose no time in completely organising the internal management. There will of course, he a. great deal to do and ?ee to at the outset, and although ' there are yet nine months to the opening. every day of the time will call for attention in some direction. It is understood Air Woodroffe is kindly undertaking the final drafting of the exhibition space, and the lav out of same. It is important to get this in-

formation In-cadcasted as early as pcs- 1 sible for the information of exhibitors. It is xequisite also, to have the prospectus prepared and issued—and this, too, will require circulation all . over the Dominion and overseas. Al- , lied to the exhibition movement is the j question of accommodation for visitors. This must be organised at once and ) the first call will he on the licensed | victuallers who will be expected to rise to the occasion in no uncertain way. j It has to he remembered that from now j onward Exhibition or not, the number of visitors to Hokitika will show a substantial increase. The usual crowd- J ed experience at holiday time will bo j a recurring state of affairs all the year , rounil-thore will be many visitors here. And the fact must be borne in mind and cannot be too strongly emphasised that the better the aeoqminodation the more popular the town will lie with the travelling public. Hokitika. in point of fact, can he made the jumping off centre for the tourist and ' holiday maker and the enterprise of the people should see that the opportunity is seized in the right way. Apart from tlie hotel accommodation and what can he arranged for guests at private houses, some kind of hostel accommodation will he needed also over the exhibition period. There will he a great number of people resident here for the main portion of the exhibition period connected with the displays of exhibiting firms. These staffs will have to bo accommodated. I lien there will be the visiting entertaining companies, bands and so forth. Extra ucioinmolation must he assured for such, so that really the accunnliodatiim question is at this stage the most pressing of all. The catering is associated with the same subject and requires to he considered well in advance so that the plans can be fully laid. Material foi buildings, lighting, furniture, decorations, and so on, are all matters ot moment to he prepared lor months ahead, and the various committees will have a busy time before hand. Still bv active co-operation and that spirit of unity which invariably pervades this community when dealing with large matters affecting the local prosperity there need he no tear as to any remissness. but the assurance that e\ei\Hiiug possible will he done to ensure | the greatest success of the greatest | event which has yet fallen in the history ol Westland.

Tim Westland County Council took .1 very proper step yesterday in according Stuart- and Chapman Ltd., a further vote of appreciation for the firm's consideration for the settlers and public alike in regard to the bridging of Mikoniii river and in respect to the preferred use. of the tramway tor the transport of tHo goods and stock of the settlers. Some adverse criticism has been published in the north, the criticism being founded on an entire misconception of the position. Stnail and Chapman Ltd., generously served the local body and the public wlio are indebted for the conveniences supplied by the firm. The local body paid £1,(300 for a very valuable and costly bridge. The transaction was possible only because of the generous and spontaneous offer of the firm. Neither the public nor tile local body would wish to go hack on that bargain, for it was a good one completed on easy terms to the ratepayers by deferred payments which obviated any special rating for the purpose. So with the prospective use of the tramway for goods traffic; that was rendered possible at the request of the settlers and not offered for profit at the Company’s suggestion. Certainly the company obtained the use of a partly formed road for a portion of the tramway, hut again there are conditions in favor of the public should the metalling of the road he undertaken which will greatly cheapen the 1 cost of the public work to the country. On every occasion Stuart and Chapman Ltd., luis met public requirements most liberally indeed.