The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, APRIL 28th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY, APRIL 28th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Wkdnf.sday was a day of solemn observance of the Anznc Landing at Gallipoli, owl thf Tn Mfmpnam Dnv for

tho fallen in. tho Groat War. The Dominion lias evidently done better than the Commonwealth, where there is not tile same uniform observance of the sacred occasion. It is indeed fitlino that so notable a day should be akin to a holy day, and not as was attempted to make it a lulf-licliday in Australia. It' wo are sincere in our editable tributes to the fallen, it is at least well that the day should he observed with becoming decorum. It is well to that end that the public should assemble in solemn assemblies to pay tribute, and to recall the lesson which tho sacrifice oi the hundreds of thousands who fell in the war, involved. The inculcation of tho lesson of the war on the younger generalion is a matter of special duty, and the Rector at the local Stale School Ceremonial, said quite the right thing, and mapped out the right- course for the proper instruction to emanate tram the teaching profession. The local observance of Anzae Day was not in vain. It recalled the sacrifice and it tributod tlio-e who gave their lives that tho Empire might he free.

Tin: visit of the General Manager of New Zealand Railways was of the usual meteor-like character observe I by high officials when Hashing across Westland. The several deputations were met in tin* customary way, also observed by Departmental officers—with it lull measure fur consideration from the Departmental point of view. It is very satisfactory to learn that a start is to be made with the improvements about the Hokitika Railway Station yard. These involve an expenditure of ten or twelve thousand | minds, and tlie work is to Ivgin in a fortnight’s time. The possibility o! the branch line up tho Quay is evidently contingent on what Ihe users of the timber stacking sites will contribute to the cost. It is a work of some magnitude for the millers in the present slate of the tindier trade, and it would appear as the Department will have considerable income from the branch line that some substantial contribution for the work should he made by the State. Mr MeVilly has delegated the matter to the 1 leal Railwav Engineer, lint it would have been better to have indicated on the spot exactly what the Department would do and what was expected from the millers. By pushing the matter off there will he further delay in the correspondence which will he neeessiirv before the negotiations can he completed.

I’m; General Manager was definitely unfavourable to the two sectional rate for tunnel traffic charges while the Public Works Department controls the mid-section. If the desire is to restrict the traffic over the period si ill necessary to equip the line lor regular fa anspi.rt, the decision cannot lie cavilled at. The three sectional charge will certainly restrict the traffic eonsidrably, as there is a very material difference in the charges. The paint which should ho made at this stage is that three months should be the extreme period over whoch the three sectional charge should rule. It is averred that three months' time will sufli-e for works in sight. and that being so. it would meet the position il t ht re was a clear annotmeeinenl now that from August next the through charge would obtain, hut that in (he interval the three sectional tarilf was to he maintained. There would then he a finality in sight, and orders could he regulated accordingly. That would lie a sound decision for trading purposes, and if the General Manager has lull the power to do what is suggested, then ii would be reasonable to approach Ministers. The request here .suggested is a fair one in the interests of trade and industry, and if fixed would result in n speeding up of the working parties in and about tho tunnel works.

Is regard to the Ross timc-falde the General Manager made a lavountblo concession which should go some way to meet the position. The service at present is very inconvenient. It is proposal to reorganise it without increasing i lie tfain mileage, 'licit m good, as there, are numy inconvenient trains running. It is in be hoped *T p llos.s folk will be consulted brio".* tins change i> made. Ross is to have a dailv service resumed when the through railway running east and west is in operation. This is so far so good, but again the Ross people should he consulted as to tho most convenient service. so that some consideration will lie given for facilities for senior scholars along the line attending the High Heboid. There is also the question of Saturday and Wednesday services to and from Lake Mahinapua, as that resort must beo-une more popular with the advent of outside visitors. Ti’e question of using the tiamline of Stuart ami Chapman Ltd., beyond Ross for the convenience of southern settlers was advanced far enough to indicate a possible, adjustment of the matter in the not distant future-—a matter which will he a. great boon to South Westland.

Tub Westland Cool Stores and Central Dairy Factory Company Ltd., will soon le a company in being. The support promised from the dairy fanners is adequate for a commencement, and will enable a start to he made with a goodly prospective in the matter of output. The financial support is encouraging also, practically ensuring certain dotation. The cmipany is now being registered and opportunities to subscribe towards the capital will be afforded. The company is now seeking for a suitable site. A fair sized fnctoiv will bo erected, and it is hoped to Ik* ready for butter making by August. The promoters have lieen fortunate in obtaining much ready help from Mi H. T. Parry, of Westport, who will lx* the managing director, taking up his residence here. The company will not be out “to wipe out” existing factories, but rather if satisfactory terms can be arranged, to absorb them. The Central factory will have certain advantages over country institution-, which will he attractive t-o milk vendors, and no doubt will soon be in " good position. The Central factory should arrest the greater volume of cream which at present passes out of the district, and by retaining the local trade here, a particularly useful service will bp dope

One effect of the centrnl dairy factory in Hokitika should bo the denning np of the suburban land and along the beach route of the railway between Teromakati mid Wuitaba. There is "a large area of land at present unused—and for the matter of that—uneared for—which could bo converted into fodder paddocks and carry herds .of dairy stock. No doubt the land will lie cleaned tip and utilised practically. The provision for cool storage will be a great boon to the distiiet. Fresh pork could be chilled and carried quickly by rail to a sure, market in Christchurch. This will be a useful side line for many farmers who often are at a loss to know what to do with their pigs. A supply of ice for local domestic. purposes will be something of a

boon, and will !,o a source of substantial income to the company. Three are many features of the company being promoted which "ill bo of particular advantage to the town, and it is to be hoped the promoters will receive every facility to put the project through successfully. The local support to the undertaking should bo bull general and generous as it will be quite a boon to the town to have the industrial expansion within the borders of the Borough.

The municipal contest this week should mu: k a new beginning in the handling of civic affairs, liokiitkn according to all opinions is going to benefit greatly by becoming an important terminal Hi the .Midland railway traffic. The Railways Department is about to expend a substantial sum in equipping the lucui station to bold the requisite yarding of trucks and carriages The Borough Council itself has tit take up actively the expenditure of loan moneys. There are important building schemes going ahead in the town, involving a very luge sum, and with tho i;)ri.sp : ective expenditure > f the exhibition abend, there should be an unusually busy time over many months to come. The stir which will he eieatcl, the movement and life in the town "ill justify the new Council in devoting its best attention to further the advance ef the place in every way passible, 'the l-trough thoroughfares should lie put in seemly order and condition equal to the requirements so as to remove any stigma of reflection by a luck ef enterprise in failing to realise' what the future means to the corporate advancement of the plaie. A general cleaning up and tidying up of the town becomes essential, together with the provision of those municipal amenities which ""ill make Hokitika more attractvo than ever fur residential population.

Tut: security ot the town against serious results from lire is of outstanding importance, ami the new Council. in the public interest, cannot afford to ignore this pressing duty. Att.'nti;ll to the public buildings owned by the ratepayers is also of very great importance. ’I hove pressing questions via the loan expenditure to be taken up, will give the Borough Council plontv to occupy its attention in mi active wav. The coming of the railwav connect ioii with the oiit v ide world is going to place Hokitika definitely on tin* map of New Zealand. Of all the. Const towns, Hokitika "ill derive the most immediate direct benefit, and with so happy a prospect in view, the Borough Council in particular should not. spare effort to make t'ae mi st ef the golden oppert unity opening mil ahead ot the town and district. There have been many lean years, when trade languished and dull times prevailed, ’these should now disappear not to return quickly. With tlie opportunities offering, the town should take on a permanent lease of new life carrying with it a presperotts period in which all sections of the community should participate. Anything the Council can do to help local progress will he of materia] benefit to the public well-being, and all classes of the community should share in the improved times and conditions.

Tin; municipal elections generally throughout the Dominion excited a good deal of interest. At Wellington and Christchurch, the Mayoral contests evoked more than the ordinary degree of interest, '("eanse in each case well accredit“d Labor representatives wore contesting the civic chairs against candidates representative of Citizens' Leagues. In both instances, the Labor candidates were narrowly defeated, following heavy polls. The steady growth of the Labor cause* in both general and local politics allords food for thought, but it must be realised that in all democratic communities where a liberal franchise is enjoyed, as is tlie case in this Dominion, all sections must sooner or later liud a means of expression. There is no paitv more in earnest than Labor, or more thorough and energetic in its organisation. Its leaders are devoted to the cause and never cease to push their propaganda. The rising tide of public opinion in favour of Labor is in response to the appealing work dene, and to a recognition that in some respects at least, Labor offers special opportunities to the masses, whence comes the voting strength of domn-