The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY. AUGUST 25th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) SATURDAY. AUGUST 25th, 1923. THE WEEK.

Tiik fact that the Christchun h newspalters ami the business people generally of Canterbury me busy interesting themselves regarding the tariff rates for the Midland railway, should on courage the people Oil tnis side of the r.mgo to he equally vigilant. The im- | ortanee to the Coast is very gieat, as the more extensive the competition lTqthe trade, the bettor will be the service to be enjoyed. At present there is a tunnel toll by rea-am of the Pulilte Works Department operating that section of the line, but this "ill be l removed as soon as the Railway Department takes over the line. It has ■ hecti sugge-ted that might turns] ire at the end of the month, though the date is utiooiiain. However, even with the ttirill' reduced to one sectional through charge, there are certain Hasses of goods on which the tariff is ..ugh and will permit of seaborne eom[etitk ». A ('hristehureh pa] or points out that on groeeiies and other merchandise in the same .schedule, the present freight rate is a serious interference with the natural course rf trade from a Canterbury point of view and the suggestion is made that Christchurch business men should see to it that, the matter should he favourably adjusted as early as possible. It would he worth while the Coast business people co-o] crating simile: ly.

In regal d to the present, trade there are complaints that, the supply ot trucks for the transport of timber is inadequate. This .should not be. r l bo tunnel section An-old be operating day and night to cope, with the traliie. but probably while the dual control lasts there "ill be .shortcomings. It is said that, timber though it could be oartied cheaper by rail, is Icing sent by boat to the East Coast, because of the tunnel delay. The material is urgently required on the other side and to meet the requirements, shipping has to lie utilised. No doubt when the Railway Department, assumes sole control so that available freight may be created to the railway. It seems clear that tile supply of trucks will have to he augmented to effectively cope with the business offering. This i- so I,c came much of the timber will he sent the maximum distance, and obviously it "ill take some time to return the trucks.. Those who have business conne-lions should have the matter opened up, and the Department pressed la provide amply for the trade, so that when the traffic is possible and in full swing, there "ill not be further delays turmigh a shortage of trucks- a fact which would affect the railway returns serioitsl v.

A moron the local agitation for an improved' train connection from the East and West, there is a report current that, when in a few days lime the railway station is moved to its now site, and the extra railway lines are available for regular me, a better service will be provided tor Hokitika. This is good news and we hope the repot t is well founded. Speaking to a Christchurch visitor this week the gentleman expressed his disgust in regard to the ordeal put upon through passengers of (hanging trains at Groytnouth. He commented on the matter in strong language, ami in addition pointed to the effect on passengers ot leaving a eotnlot t-ablv heated carriage to enter a eheerle--s and cold compartment. In the ca-o of second class through passengers they had to endure the longdrawn out train journey to Hokitika at the close of their day’s travel in a much less comfortable carriage, and in some instances the through passengots and to take pot luck in the seats they might occupy. Reference was. also, made to the fact that the 170 mde train journey from Christchurch to Hokitika was scheduled to Is* done in 0 hours 20 minutes, whereas a simjlai distance by the Dunedin express was covered in less than 0 hours, and on other lines like satisfactory journeys vote ptovided. Mby a more expeditious run to Hokitika could not he arranged. the visitor was at a less to explain, seeing that the town was such a notable tourist centre.

'l'm: Public- Works estimates include several items of interest to Westland. The bridges of Smith Westland still make heavy inroads on the alloention tor the County area, and restrict the sum available for new roads. However, the bridges will prove n permanent r.oon to traffic for the district. Final votes to liquidate liabilities on the I.irtle Wanganui and Waitangi bridges appear. Tt is pleasing to note a vote of £3,000 (on account of £10.000) for bridging tile Wnihn river is provided, a fact which looks like tackling the work forthwith. That will be a most agreeable happening for South Westland as the construction of the bridge will definitely annexe the territory beyond the Waiho river to the upper ‘portion. There is £IOOO provided for the Hokitika river bridge at Knnieri. a most, necessary vote, but front all accounts not adequate for c!l ments. The fresh vote for Kokntahi bridge £-100, £ for £. is estimated to complete repair, to that structure. 1 The estimates also provide votes lor several small bridges in various parts of the County. The road votes are not

large, nor very general. A vote for Knnieri Lako road is n minus quantity —and yet it is a work of the greatest immediate benefit to public, traffic ■seeing the enormous increase in tourist traffic shortly to he brought about.

There are useful votes for roads in Kokatahi and Southern districts. a;.d tiio road vote for access to the Kaj ilea district reappears. It hnpi>ens oiten that- these road votes appear only to embellish tlie estimates. The ivapitca vote is one which has seived tnat purpose now for some time, hut at last there is the promise it will oe gone on with. The road in question i.s a most desirable one, not only ior the convenience o! local traffic, out also to afford, ultimately, a more diiect route between Hokitika and Greyinotith, thereby greatly facilitating traffic over that journey. Willi the prospect of a Public Works loan, it should lie possible this year to obtain a higher per ventage of expenditure in regird to road grants. There is also the fact that with the. tunnel expenditure diminishing there will l>e less general expenditure to place to the debit of the district, and so permit, n larger volume of road and bridge expenditure over tlie County portion. Tbe opening up of tlie country with improved roads and safe river vi ossings is highly essential now that the produce lias a regular market within close touch. The volume of road millie will increase and it is highly important road access .should be improved to the fullest extent.

A coon deal of general interest wilt cciitie in tbe 'lrish elections which arc. now in full suing. President ( ns-

grnve is proving as strong a man as lus predecessors, and Ireland is surely tortuuutc at this critical stage, ill her history to have strong men at the helm. Mr Cosgrove is very outspoken, and lie has given, all to understand that lie will remain in office only on the understanding that the law ot tile land is to be icspoeted. As circumstances demand he will not shirk troin taking strong measures, llis attitude must have an excellent etloct on the majority who invariably stand lor the maintenance ol law and order as the security for national safety. Ihe extremists on the other hand are raving against England. with ill ellert. And little wonder, for England has relegated to Irishmen the conduct ol their own internal government. The election seems to he carried on with the usual incidents on such occasions. Ihe eggtlin.wing api ears to have been icmlei,.,i possible by the fact of the dock strike U>.W happily settled. Hmvetei tlie genuine Irishman can stand up to eggs as bravely a-, he can to bullets and so we read thai one Murphy (undoubtedly Irish by name) went through an egg throwing ordeal at one of his meet bigs whereat he was covered with ~gg debris from heed to loci. Mr Murphy deserves to lie elected.