The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1924. THE EXHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1924. THE EXHIBITION.

Tm British ami Intercolonial Exhibition, which lm.s been the central event for Hokitika and district, if not the whole Const, for the past seven weeks, will close to-morrow. People will he ask in”;, was it worth while. I Has it justified itself? It would appear that the replies must he in tho affirmative. It was n very considerable undertaking [or a numerically small community to take up, yet tho occasion for tho Exhibition was worthy of a special effort. It was to celebrate the opening of the Arthur’s Pass tunnel by which tho Coast and Canterbury were linked together by rail, and to commemorate the sixtieth year of tho Westland goldheld, which was Mic starting point in the provincial history of this district. The scale of the Exhibition was not a mean one. It embraced British and Empire interests generally. That seemed ambitious, and when the Exhibition pavilion was designed, tho scheme as outlined indicated a fairly pretentious display. The faith of the promoters in tho scheme was well-hacked by Canterbury support, and there were indications that the Coast support would not ho lacking. When the local appeal was made for financial help, the. response after a little delay, was very adequate, and there were no qualms of fear when the project was launched finally. The interest and enterprise thrown into the Exhibition here was altogether to the credit of the community. Tlie gentlemen who undertook the management of the big concern did Hot spare then).sieves in any way. The duties and task called for the sacrifice of much time and attention, ami the servie.se were given ungrudgingly. All will no'-- have their reward in the know--ledge of duty well done, of a task very satisfactorily accomplished. According to all accounts the financial side of tho undertaking is not- unpromising. The ultimate result financially turns upon the sale of the assets, material, plant otc., purchased for the building, and conduct of the Exhibition. This announcement is both pleasing and encouraging. But- there are still the two questions above expressed to he answered in more detail. That the Exhibition has been worth while may he assumed from the fact of so many people being brought to the Coast. Of the many brought- to Hokitika specially for the Exhibition, it was pleasing indeed to see so many Gx-Coa.sters called home again by tho Exhibition. This in itself was worth while, and it was gratifying to upte the enjoyment and satisfaction derived front the visitors by revisiting their old haunts and noting the progress made. Of the arrivals, however, many hundreds came to the I Coast for the first time, and in many instances it is not going to he the last. The folk will come again. Numbers carried away happy recollections bf their visit, of their stay, the newly made friends, the homeliness of the people, and tho grandeur of the scenery. Po we may conclude with every confidence that the Exhibition lias proved well worth while. As to justifying itself, a reference has been made already to the promising financial outlook. The reputation of the Coast- has been enhanced in the minds of many folk. Parliamentary folk all expressed surprise at the resources and promising characteristics of the place, a form of advertisement which should stand the district in goad stead For a vory long

time. That the Exhibition justified itself was clear, also, from tho ccoiniurns, passed upon the display by the hosts of visitors. All parts of the Coast have lent friendly aid, and the patronage from all quarters of the district "as well maintained. The success of the Exhibition is measured in the main by the attendance, and that in turn is justified only by the genuine attractions of the display, It, would be impossible. for the Exliihition to run its allotted span of seven weeks without the merit to attract and maintain an attendance, and here again we have futthcr definite evidence of the important show justifying itself. All concerned with the event- have reason to be satisfied with the results achieved and in sight. The people have occasion to lie not a little proud of the all-round success which has placed Hokitika well in the forefront, and brought back memories of the bravo days of old which was one of tile chief occasions for the Exhibition itself to commemorate.