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Hokitika Guardian, 2 May 1923, Page 2

|i is pleasing to note that KokntnhiKoiterangi residents are moving again with regard to a W inter Show. The function is to ho neld next- month. Many will recall what a brave display was made last year at rather short notice. Now that the ice has lreon broken, and the people have realised something of the resources and capabilities of the district, this year’s display should be a marked advance. The farmers’ bays last year were something of a. revelation, and vied in the quantity and quality of the exhibits with those of metropolitan centres. With more room for display, the arrangement of the exhibits tan be more effectively shown, and these bays should become a feature, if not the foundation of the show. The occasion calls tor the general support of the settlers throughout the district, and with similar enthusiasm to that of last year another record can he achieved. These competitive displays are of value to any district, for they assist to bring out latent resources, and demonstrate in a practical way what a district can do. Personal enthusiasm is wlmt counts to make a. show a success, and with another happy effort by the good people of the district, everybody will be pleasantly surprised by the result.-

Tkb Kokntahi-Koitcrangi district must be regarded as the chief agricultural and pastoral centre ol Westland. It lias a very considerable area, and will respond to a more intensive development scheme. A Winter Show will help to advertise the latent capabilities of the. district to outsiders, and at the same time give a lead to other localities in respect to production, and the variety of commodities which farmed lands can return. With so many new people going on tho land of late, it will be something of an education to them to glean a knowledge of farm by-pro-ducts, and the effective value they are in adding to tho year’s income. The people ot tho district aro iortunatc in having a liino kiln set in their midst, because the scientists till concur that lime is a first essential for West Coast lands. The produce from the district referred to should therefore be added to considerably from this on by a moie liberal use of lime, and that will add materially to the value ot the farmed lands. Those seeking land will naturally look to its productivity, and the better the display the settlers can make the greater the advertisement they are giving to their holdings. From every point of view it will be in the interests of all to support the Winter Show to tho fullest possible extent.

At the County meeting on Tuesday tho position in regard to tho use of the tramway of Stuart and Chapman Ltd. for the carrying of the settlers’ goods was well cleared up. There has not been any delay either on the part of the County Council or iiie firm involved. Their mutual arrangements have been carried out. But it is essential, the tramway being held under a mining right, to secure the precedent consent of the Minister of Mines, before goods etc. can bo carried on tho tramway. This is still lacking, though the matter has been under consideration for weeks. Next, there is the delav in souring the use of the Government rolling stock, though the County Council offered to indemnify the Railways Department against any damage to the plant used. This concession is refused till tho tramway is brought up to tho standard required by the Department. The work is to he done by Stuart and Chapman Ltd. as soon as tho workmen now engaged at W aitahn tramway bridge are available for the purpose' It is satisfactory to know

that at last matters aro in train for a favorable settlement, and it would appear that in three to four months’ time what is desired will be available to the setlers—the transport of their goods and produco from Waitaha to the rail head at Ross.

(Jam Ano appears to have done itself a fair amount of credit yesterday .by thing superior to the cajoling of the l’rinte Minister in connection with the by-election. Mr Massey departed from the electorate prior to the close of the poll, which retreat seemed to indicate the coming event was casting its shadow before. The Liberal candidate is to be congratulated on the splendid fight, put up against the phalanx of Cabinet Ministers dangling a huge surplus before the con-st.-uents. 'The advantage was all witli the Government so far ns loaves and fishes were concerned. Mr Macpherson could only offer upright representation and a fight for what was right and seemly. The electors have taken him at his own price—which is all to the credit of the political morality of Oamnru. The lesson cf Oamaru will he learned far beyond the confines of the electorate. Mr Massey will be a sadder and wiser man to-day, for his prestige Inis been sadly tarnished by his tactics in the fight. Might is not always right, and the virtue of fair play has its own reward. The result of the election docs not change the numerical stiength of the parties, hut it enhances the prestige of tlio Liberal party in general and that of Mr Macpberson in particular.