The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Most Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24th, 1923. A NTGHTMAHE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Most Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24th, 1923. A NTGHTMAHE.

Hokitika appears to sit as something of a nightmare on the chests ul the northern community. ycle; t Greyinoutli, where this town is held to he something of a rabid rival to the ler-tiim-s of the northeiii centre. It is hard to understand why this feeling of overt opposition has crept in—but there it. is, a patent condition of allairs that he who runs may lead either in the northern local pi ess, or in the every day conversation of our neighhois. There is. not to out too hue a point upon it. a. jealous tli-position towards Hokitika, a feeling ] ernieat ing liven those in high places. '1 here is the fear that Greymouth may he called upon to play second fiddle to Hokitika 1 We aie quite sme this community has no designs of such a nature. Hokitika is quite capable of leading its own orchestra, and certainly wants no discords. A round, harmonious blend of good volume will meet all icqniiements, and Hokitika will he satisfied, lie-ides. Greymouth is large enough to -take care el itself. It has opportunities not lev-; roseate than these ol tlie past, it is. perhaps, a iact that Greymouth lias lost a uwtain amount of ei.ltlhlem e in itscll. The jijo hnit lias not fallen of late mi readily into its lap. hut with propel cultivation there is no reason why ihe harvest should not l;e gat tiered as; ol vine, in pielili;- hunches. There is no occasion for Greymouth to lie jealous ol Hokitika. for any success or advancement ni this end of the disliict lias its reflection in tile northern town. Greymouth will icceive quite a lot ol refected gleiy from the Exhibition to Is*, held here over the iestive holidays, but the northern community is not awake to tile possibilities of the big turn lion for its own benefit, and is doing very little to foster success. It is interesting to note in contrast with \ hat Westport is diving. There, a. more goahead spirit is manifested, easily outdistancing the Greymouth interest. This hoars out our view that Greymouth is lacking in courage in a legitimate effort to help itself. It is waiting for the ripe fruit to fall, instead of assisting to help the ripening period. A populous, progressive people at this end of the district cannot he ether than an advantage to GroymoutU. The juxtaposition of the two towns enables one to help the other, ami instead ol jealousy there should he co-operation. P'imildly rival'.y if you will, hut always the spirit and the desire to aid and help district movements calculated to bring prosperity in t heir train. Centrally situated as it is, Greymouth has advantages of its own and these il properly exploited will bring to tlie town much, added importance, and the prominence it should enjoy will give it a place where it le'ed he seeotld to no other community on the Coast. At the same time V,. ie,4 that* Hokitika, too, has its advantages which make it a most desirable centre, and it rail he always in friendly rivalry with the northern town without any loss to its own importance which lias been always of a distinctive character. I lie town enjoys a popularity which is widespread, and undertaking as it is an event of the importance of the Exhibition it will add very greatly to that popularity. There is an objection in Greymouth to the Exhibition- a feeling that Hokitika is attempting too much. But our Irion du do not realise the dimensions of the Exhibition, nor appreciate its purpose. It i- to be the greatest event in the history of the Coast, ami it is lor the whole Coast, not for Hokitika alone. Greymouth will derive great benefits from the function over the weeks it will run, and if the scop*' and purpose were more freely understood. Greymouth would wake up from ils depressing nightmare, and co-operate with Hokitika in that friendly, neighborly wav which would help to make the assurance of success already patent, doubly sure.