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Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1923, Page 2

Thf. clearing up of the beach cropped up at the meeting of the Beautifying Association this week. This is a work which clearly devolves upon the Borough Council, and now that one of the committees is considering the question of scavenging, the cleaning up of the beach at the rear of the town, should bo one of the matteis dealt with. The initial work done by the scholars of Victoria School is certainly verv praiseworthy, and the aims of tho Beautifying Association in the matter are to bo commended, They

are on th© right lines of citizenship. But it is not any part ot' the duty of Iho scholars or a Society attending to the amenities of the town, to do scavenging work. In the first place it should not he necessary at all. The beach is not a repository for waste debris. There should'not he any to remove. But. .seeing that thoughtless folk will persist in depositing debris on the beach, the local authority should trace- the offenders and bring them to book; and until that obvious duty is performed, the Council is responsible for seeing that no offences of the nature referred to are committed. With the beach clean and sweet, the Beautifying Association, the scholars and the public generally could then go right ahead, and in many ways improve the surface and the outward appearance of the beach as the popular resort it should be.

Tim announcement made ill Wednesday’s issue that the attendance at the local telephone exchange is to be curtailed seriously on important holidays such as Boxing Bay, Xew Year's Day. Master Monday, the Sovereign’s Birthday etc., is going to rob the connections of material advantages. This is a matter which might well be brought before the Postmaster-General when he is hero on bis fleeting visit next week. At- tho same time, the official announcement of the proposed curtailment, brings to mind the value it would be to the community to have the continuous telephone service established here all the year round. Many centres of less importance than Hokitika enjoy such a service, and once installed, like the telephone itself, ii becomes indispeusible. Certainly over the Exhibition period ii will he very inconvenient indeed if file telephone i- not open continuously. Altogether the present seems to be a. very opportune moment to raise the issue, in the hope that one of the local organisations will again take up the matter and by interesting local subscribers in the matter, secure their consent to the introduction of the continuous service lor tiie town. It would proven great boon. That the big exhibition to open here on the loth. December is on the high road to being a financial success, seems to be borne out by the .statement turtle by the General .Secretary yesterday. Mi Means mentioned that the total value of tho spaco sold for exhibition was now in the vicinity of £2,100. 'ibis is a very handsome return indeed. Exhibitors are hailing from all parts of tho Dominion, and some from overseas. It was indicated that- there would be many line exhibits, some of the firms buying space to the value of upwind* of .£IOO and their equipment and service during tlit* Mxliibitioil would cost a few hundred pounds in addition, so that, there would be some very valuable displays. Applications for spate continue to come in, but there is now not ninth choice of location, as with four-fifths of the space disposed 01, selection is very limited. The promoters of the Exhibition may feel very satisfied, therefore, that the large project promises so well. It is only about six weeks now to tile opening day, so with fhe preparations being rushed ahead, the intervening time will soon pass by. The enterprise shown by the town in this matter lias given it a place and a prominence in the Dominion whrh in the days to come will well repat the effort flic district is malting to help itself.