The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 17th, 1923. SUCCESS ACHIEVED.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 December 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 17th, 1923. SUCCESS ACHIEVED.

Ttu-: Exdiibitioi) which opened on S:tturday achieved instant success. Tho display took rapid form, once the. oxhioitoi's began with tho arrangement of their varied stands. Hut it was in the tinal 21 hours that the greatest change ratin' over the scene. Indeed in the last hour the transformation "as most marked of till. Shoitlv after tile doors were opened the throng; be"’i: to pom in. and liy 2 o'clock the amines wore a. very animates! appearance. When the time for opening was at hand, the attendance was estimated at fully 3.000. The avenues were crowded and in places quite congested. An attentive throng gathered in the vicinity of tho hand stand whence the spcoehe« were delivered. They were framed in complimentary terms, the Ministers being highly eulogistic of the exhibition, as also of the enterprise displayed lug the local public whose coin age in promoting so large an undertaking. was generally commented upon. The music supplied hy the local choir was not tho least important part of the opening piogramme, being quite a creditable performance. Throughout the afternoon and evening the commodious building—the size of which surprised all visitors—was thronged. There was movement and color everywhere, and altogether it was an animated scene. The Exhibition from the outset apjtenrs to have justiiiod its purpose. It was designed to draw people here. It has succeeded beyond the expoctations of many. The number of exhibitor* present is testimony to the magnetic attractions of the newly found district which the through railway lias helped to discover. Then there is the presence of many hundreds of visitors. Canterbury- being so neighbourly was strongly represented. Otago had secoral influential citizens present. The North Island 'was not without its quota. As for the Coast and the district generally, all parts were well I represented, the Euller district being particularly well represented by its Member, the Mayor the County Chairman, tho Progress League President. and other gentlemen of local note. The large number of official visitors was a compliment- to Westland, and from the Ministers down all were most complimentary in their expressions of goodwill and appreciation. Of the general display it has proved, without doubt, the greatest event yet organised on the West Coast. Tt has been organised to celebrate the greatest event in local history, and it is not too much to say that the occasion is being observed very worthily. Those y,ijo promoted the big ftp? eqrriy{\

it through, deserve all praise and genemux thanks for accomplishing a task of such magnitude. The result could not have heoii achieved uithout ciicoimtciing many ohstacles. They seem to have been overcome with remarkable success, ami the final outcome is a degree of success which will stand for all time to the cicdit of Westland. The big event now lannclicd, will run for seven weeks, it will he a crowded period, hut so successfully begun should go forward enjoying a continued flow of the success it is worthy enough to commit ml.