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Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1923, Page 2

Tltu Deputy .Mayor "hen s] caking at the Cenotaph on Armistice Day anniversary referred to the apparent lack of le.spcrf. to the injunction to hold two v.inutes’ silence in honour of the mem-

ory of the Empire's mighty dead, li spoke also ( f the attitude in which the cenotaph itself should he regarded, it "as Dicut. h i iekleton V.C., who. when laving the foundation stone, suggested that the children should never pass the monument "'it.hoiit realising the purpose and intent of the C.’inUnph. For the same reason came the injunction from tin- King to mark a nation's sorrow vvitli an nut wal’d attitude of silence for ft brief interval on Armistice Day anniversary. It is right and proper lo cultivate the spirit suggested, for it brings directly to mind the import of the occasion. The Gteal Mar called lor magnilironi service and a mighty saeriliee, and the memory of all that meant should never fade. So the great (■vein in our national history—the end of the great war itself should ho remembered and honored always in such a wav that inn first and foremost thoughts "ill he for those who made peine possible and through whom wo to-day enjoy comfort anil senility.

The Minister of Public Yorks took a rattier decided stand in opposition to the construction of the Kuinara-Kapi-tea. road. The road in <|ilostion is intended in the first instant4* to serve as a. means of access to the settlors in the Chesterfield distiict, anil later to constitute what will dovolupc into the main thoroughfare between Greyniouth and Hokitika. The fact that the Minister or the Department allowed the item to appear on the Parliamentary appropriations showed it was a work of some importance; yet of all the works now ni the Parliamentary list, it alone is likely to he vetoed. 'llie road will branch from the Kumnrn Beaeli road at the foot of the hill near the Bench, beyond the Kumara railway juetion. It then is proposed to cross Acre creek, and make its way through Kapitea and Chesterfield where there is a regular settlement. The railway line taps the two centres, but the settlors have come to regard the rend as a necessity. It is possible, of course, the Minister may yet sanction the section of work referred to. but it seems to lie a remote contingency that the next section to Awntuna will bo sanctioned, so that the time when through motor traffic hy that iouto will be possible is rather remote indeed.

Tub Diamond Jubilee of the Westland Goldfield <lue to be celebrated next January, is hardly being kept as well to the front as: it might. The celebration marks a notable epoch in the history of the district, and the occasion should he eelehiated very worthily. The event is Iteing over-shadowed naturally by the Exhibition, but it should lse made a highly essential and important pan of that big event. Ten years ago when the golden jubilee was honored Hokitika and district did itself proud. The exponents'; and knowledge gained on that occasion, could well guide action now. am! en s u r e a very fitting celebration. The district owes everything to the intrepidity of the pioneer baud whose pluck and endurance opened the pathway to Westland. They well deserve to be honored in the most fitting way possible. 'Hie wotl: involved might well engage the attention of a special committee, which as.a labor of love should devote the fullest attention to the details, so that the celebration will be recognised in a manner no less worthy than if deserves, and with due regard to the. worthy band of pioneers whom it is proposed to honor.