Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1924, Page 2

Now that the time has come to dismantle the Exhibition buildings, folk u:c wondering to what use the material will be put. It is understood that much of the iron etc., has been bespoken, but on Saturday a suggestion was put forward by some 'members of the Borough Council, that the large annexe at the rear of the Town Hall covering the Nelson and Marlborough avenues, might be retained intact by the Council. It covers land owned by the borough, and no doubt could be purchased

at a price 'which would mako tho purchase ft veritable bargain. The Town Hal! is found often to be too small for various functions, and with the addition of a little expenditure, the annexe could in time lx> brought into a useful adjunctive building. Adjoining the gardens, and having in connection with it, various public conveniences. .it would supply something which could best be regarded as a long felt want. There is the suggestion that the ladies’ test room, spoken of so oftwi, might bo built off the gardens in connection with tho annexe accommodation. There was also the larger, and certainly useful suggestion, that by acquiring the annexe which links up the Town H»ll with tlie Drill Hull and Horticultural Hull, them would be facilities for an annual winter show which would he a feature for the Coast for all time. There would be very roomy accommodation, affording facilities for a miniature exhibition ready at hand, and enabling a large show uiub'r cover, to be conducted over several day, if need be. The whole suggestion is worth considering in the interests of the distinct as a whole. A bargain price could retain the building now for the besefit of the town, and sertng that it is erected on public property it would be a pity to see any hasty dismantling undertaken when for public purposes [of a useful nature in the future, the building could be profitably retained.

A unoi) deal of comment is being passed on the suggestion of the -Mayor of Christchurch to give the two Islands of New Zealand separate administrations. This is not a new proposal, but it is also not a good proposal. It would be. a backward movement.—adding, enormously to the cost, without providing adequate relief for the purpose intended. The Mayor believes that the South Inland is being dominated unfairly by the North Island. It is to some extent, l)Ut in the main because the greater progress is in tlie north. Population is drifting from the South to the North Island. The lure lor the individual can hardly be stopped by act of Parliament. It is for the South Island lVk bv courage and enterprise to .so forge their country ahead that the pendulum "ill swing the other way, and population lie attracted to the .South. Naturally with the boom following tile opening up ol the North Island there was the immediate encouragement for development in that quarter. but there are signs that the turn o| the Isinuth Island is coming. Tho Mayor of ('hiistchureli w«nt- off for his recent holiday joy-riding in other parts of New Zealand. If ho had come west, and seen the recent territory on the Coast added to the South Island of New Zealand, by reason ol railway communication, lie would have bad occasion in have more faith in the South Island making good off its own bat. Here is a meat country waiting development. Population and capital are essential, in d given those factors, the production will send the South Island ahead by leaps and hounds. The Mayor of Christchurch should deride to spend his next possible vacation in Westland when he would have the opportunity of deriving liist band knowledge of the potent in litas of the district, and its possibilities in the day of assisting the South Island to recover its status. There is still much for Canterbury interest in Westlaud to do io help foster trade and intercourse, and if the Mayor of Christ church wouid assist in that task lie would lie giving a lead along lines in which practical results were destined to result quicker than any other means.