HOKITIKA’S EXHIBITION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1924, Page 1

HOKITIKA’S EXHIBITION

(Christchurch Press of Thursday). Now that their Exhibition is in its final week, the people of Hokitika will know soon if the venture has been a success financially. There has been a good deal of bad weather since the opening day, and as the worst period came about Christmas and New Year it will not be surprising if the balancesheet is a little disappointing. But whatever the facts prove to he so far as outlay and takings are concerned, \ye are sure that the Committee are as confident as ever of the success of the venture in the long run. 'Hie balancesheet is, of course, a very important consideration, in any undertaking. Tf the Committee find that they have advertised the province free, gratis and for nothing, and perhaps made a litfle profit for further advertising in the future, they will naturally be a great deal prouder of their efforts than if the treasurer tells a tale of a different kind. Rut there will still he no question of success of failure. The Exhibition has succeeded now. Tt has brought Westland before the rest of ihe Dominion, and in a less important maimer brought the rest of flic Dominion before Westland, as that has never been achieved before. It has tempted thousands of people to see with their own eyes what “The Press” and other newspapers have been telling them about all the territory west of flic Alps, viz., that nothing has been wanting but railway communication to fill it with prosperous settlers. It is significant already that the Hokitika A. and P. Show, which was held yesterday and the day before, was freely patron ised by exhibitors from Canterbury—an expression of interest in the Coast that is all the more encouraging because if comes from the most cautious class in the community. The fact, too. Hint Westland fanners were not able to show stock equal to the 'animal- brought from Canterbury is a further indication of the price the Coast paid lor isolation. With its soil ami grass ami shelter it requires nothing to make it a first-class pastoral district bid easier access' lo the Dominion’s best (locks and herds. That indeed is a further strong reason why the Government should yield to the agitation for cheap railway freighfs on back loading. The iuruier on the Coast should be made to led that the railway has brought every dairy herd in North Canterbury to bis back door, that whatever he wants in implements or goods he can obtain at a couple of days’ notice and at bedrock freights, and that makeshifts, live or dead, are therefore bad economy. Wo hope, too, that our readers will remember that the Exhibition has three days yet to run.