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Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1923, Page 2

Tin: unfortunate disaster which has overtaken the East Const through Go recent abnormal rainfall, will be deplored on all sides. A tremendous public and private loss is involved in the visitation. The West Coast has a reputation for abnormal weather, but while the other parts of the Dominion have been visited with serious spells of pnrticuhtYly had weather, the Coast, except for the boisterous wind' for a couple of days, lias been enjoying most genial weather. Once again the district has escaped from those extreme conditions which so distinguish other parts of the country. The enormous amount of flood damage recorded will involve a huge expenditure to restore traffic conditions, apart from the personal losses in land, produce, stock, etc. The dislocation of trade and traffic by the extensive damage to roads, railways and bridges will rolleet itself, also, over a very wide area. The visitation is in fact a matter for national concern, and no doubt- the Government will be appealed to for material help, while it is not unlikely that there wili he numerous cases of personal hardship which will make a- call 011 the public philanthropy. Altogether the occasion is to ho greatly regretted and every sympathy will he felt for the numerous hand of sufferers involved in what i-, a serious catastrophe.

The County election being now practically determined, the new Council, which is to meet in less than a fortnight’s time, will require to lace at the outset, the hotter roads proposals which the late Council decided to pass on to the newly elected members. Tito councillors who are now taking office will no doubt be governed tv the financial position as it presents itself. That is, the ability of the 1 val body to finance the purchase of machinery suitable for coping with the task ahead, hi considering the financial aspect., there is of course the ultimate benefit to be derived in the net sa •big. Although a. capital cost is call?.I for at the outset, the plant will perform a class of work which, indirectly, will effect a saving economically, in the more lasting cha;icier of the work done. There will be bettor roads involving less for inaiiitenane in the fa'lire. It is from this result the saving u Ml be made to the Council, while the users of the roads will derive a benefit in the improved class of roads to ply over. A road making plant thus heeom.'s an insurance its it were to secure a better class read, and from the improvements made, the financial gain will be accumulated in the future. Developments are sure to be watched with great, interest.

Not long since, Mr M. H. Somef, secretary of the Royal Agrieult..ir>l Society of New South Wales, vis’ted the United States and Canada, his primary object being to pick up “wrinkles” that might he of service to the society. Some of his impressions are recorded in “Amassing America,” a very readable book. Mr Sumer kept his eyes open during his trip, and he has many interesting tilings to tell us about the country, its people, and its institutions. He found a great deal to admire and something to criticise, and he shed some long-cherished illusions. Thus he had always understood that the American was much more “politician ridden” than the Australian, but now he is satisfied that it is the other way round. Again, that much maligned person, the American interviewer, turned out to he hv 110 means as black as he is usually painted. The author speaks with professional appreciation of the great shows or "fairs” hi the United States and Canada. One gathers, however, that the ling events do not bulk nearly as large as in the colonial show. There is what, seems to he a very fair and temperate appraisement of the effects of prohibition. Mr Somer believes it “more than probable” that it will eventually have to go, although a return to the old saloon system is unthinkable. Naturally lie has much to say about rural production in America, about the pastoral, agricultural and kindred indstiies and about the characteristics of the various kinds of stock. Apparently each country can learn from the. other in these matters. Incidentally he imparts to us a curious piece of information. On no account in America must you call a pig. a pig. His proper name is hog. Why ? Does the other word wound his delicate susceptibilities?