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Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1923, Page 2

Thu decision of the Anglican community to proceed without further delay with the erection of the M.emoti'l Church in Stafford Street, is a subject for local congratulation. The entorpriso displayed is in keeping with the times. A hand,-;.,me edifice lias been designed, and though funds are not. ample at present to look for H’e entire completion of the building, the money in hand permits timleitaking the major portion of the nave, and no dou! V a.; the work proceeds, funds will ho fcrtlicouiing io carry on the work even fiut-her than can now he contemplated. The Anglican community is a considerable section of the local population, and the work being undertaken should stir the members and adlrerenw of the- Church to an active and intimate association with the building scheme, so that in the end flic financial problem will he less formidable than it is at this juncture. Tl’-e new buildings in hand and in mind in respect to the town, suggest that in the course of a year or so, Hokitika will present a much improved aspect, and that the new Church in particular should add considerably and very pleasantly to tho architectural appearance of the town.

It will be seen from ait advertise....cut in this issue that tho central dairy factory movement has taken definite shape and is going forward satisfactorily. It is gleaned that the milk supply secured will be more than adequate to secure a very satisfactory commencement. That is the business end of tho undertaking, and it is verygratifying to know the prospects are so promising. Next week the site for the factory is to lie determined, and therafter* as the factory will require to he ready before the end of August, there cannot be inue.lt delay with building operations. The centralising movement should he of value to this immediate neighbourhood, as it will no doubt result in the fallow land hereabouts being cleared up and brought into profit. All along the railway line north and south of Hokitika there are areas of country capable of producing grass which 'could be used to advantage. So wit.li the subtil hail, land on the outskirts of the town and beyond—there are many acres which could he converted into pasture land and used profitably for dairying. The immediate effect of a central factory will he to improve the appearance of the land hereabouts and no doubt war will he waged without delay on blackberry and gorse patches. The cleaning up in any case is well overdue.

The side lines of the proposed central fnctriry, pertaining in particular to the benefits of cool storage, will le a growing source of income to tho Company. The matter of providing cool storage locally has been under consideration for a long time past, and it is only now by combining with the factory proposal that the question lias been brought to a head satisfactorily. Ice-making will supply a convenience greatly to be appreciated in connection with domestic pm poses. A regular supply of ic will be valuable for hotels. Cool storage for fish will mean that the whitebait industry will he transformed to a great extent, and the export of frozen fish will be si very considerable trade of special benefit to the catchers. Cool storage for fresh meat will be a boon to the vendors of meat, as also to the settlers, who will be able to extend their operations in pig husbandry with a certainty that through the cool storage facilities the meat may pass regularly to a safe market. Winter supplies of butter for the district can he accumulated here without the necessity of reimporting at certain periods of the year. On that score alone there will be an economic saving of value to the producers ami to the community at large. The whole movement will he an all round advantage to the town and district, and is sure to receive very generous support.