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Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1923, Page 2

Rciivauii lx ll*l,l no is a great Imperialist. As a poet and writer lie lias Idled a notable niche in tile Empire's literal n,. He is es.-enttally the soldiers' puei. I.iving his young lite in ag- ri Ison loan in India, he received tuililaiv impressions which have never hern obliterated. Bis facile pen and ready thought. locs often carried him far in the public estimation. There have been times, though, his writings did not find favor; hut lat more olten la* lias been delightfully entertaining amt informative, lie has an aptitude for hitting ini' a topical question with apI lopriati- lilies, and his stories otten oi a novel bent sin* told in an original way. His jingle lines at the. time of the South African war when lands were being raised tor soldier conduits mu-t have raised thousands of pounds tor Tommy Atkins. His impre-sivc lines at the Diamond Jubilee base become a cla-sic .and are sung; as a liynin at numerous suitable gatherings. His latest serious vefs.es ate appropriate to Arniistiie anniversary time and ihe national pilgrimage to tin- l.on. don Cenotaph. They are at once arresting, and convey in a singula,‘lx nmrkcd manner the atmosphere oi -ttdiiC'S and icgtet which tin- occasion

~.cates, closing with a loml'ortiug hope that the individual sot row is in turn helpful to one's neighbor lip less stricken, for the toll of the war was great that its pains and penalties extended far and wide, and tew families indeed escaped without memory being -catied with [ei-onal regrets.

It would appear that the Exhibition Council purposes giving special attention to the entertainment side ot the attractions during the period the great show is to he open. Several commitments have been entered into, ineluding the engagement of Derry's Military hand of Christchurch. This is a wellknown organisation of outstanding merit. It has a leputatioti which is Dominion wide. It is the first military hand in New Zealand, so that its standing and attractive qualities are quite distinctive. The hand will visit hero in January during the period of the jubilee celebrationis, and should he a feature over that interesting period. The visit of Christchurch vocalists is sure to bo weleoniod. In times past, the advent of a Christchurch concert party was an event looked forward to with great interest, and the coming occasion is nut likely to be any exception. Tn addition there will he other cute! mining parties, including a troupe of young lady gymnasts. Ihe company lias n well-established reputation in their home town, and will he under the special direction of a very capable tutor. There are to he other visiting hands, convert companies and instrumentalists, so that there will ho an int('testing variety, and every inducement for liberal patronage thionghotu the Exhibition period.