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Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1924, Page 2

Ykstkiiwav the principal local hodv of Westland, the County Council, hold its annual meeting. The chief business for the day was the election of County Chairman, a statutory duty fixed to he performed at noon on the fourth Wednesday of May in each year. A.s has been tlio custom practically for all time, the occupancy of the chair passed round and Mr Duff, who had a rather important year to fulfil gave way to a successor in the person of Mr E. A. Wells, a representative of , the Central Riding. The Central Riding is an important part «-.f the County hut a member of that district has no 1 occupied the chair for some time. The honor non - handed to the district was therefore well overdue. The County Council plays an important part in the general welfare of the district. Tt.s area of administration is said to he (lie largest County district in the Dominion. Apart from its work in connection with roads and bridges, it has other obligations in regard to assisting to maintain public hospitals, com Him ring towards the administration of public health, and so on. But tile ratepayers look for its best work in regard to road and bridge works. In this task the Government assists not iftilibernlly. while the time is at hand when the Council should derive some general benefit from the Highways Act. For some time it has been the policy of the Council to assemble machinery for rnadmaking and improvement purposes, so as to ensure hotter roads to carry the increasing volume of different traffic now to he contended with. From the start made there is the promise of good resulting, for accounts are being received that various sections of roadway are being put into an improved condition. Xo doubt tbe Council lias to moot a heavy liability in regard to the bridges in its care. Many of these erected of wood in the years past, art' falling into decay, and heavy costs have to be incurred to secure satisfactory upkeep. But in all tbe circumstances County government appears to be running on without any undue stringency in the finance, and with vert" little outward public complaint. In short the County Council appears to ho discharging its duties rather satisfactorily.

Thf, fact that the fiftieth annual meetinf; of the Hokitika Gas Company wp*

held yesterday' serves to remiud the reader of the useful longevity of a local institution which it must he confessed has served the public so well. If the promoters of the company more than fifty years ago looked forward, it is doubtful if their extended vision took in half a century of time. Jsut it must he agreed that the promoters of the company built well, for they laid the foundations of an enduring insti-tution-one which at the end of five decades is showing as much vigor as it did in the earliest days of its career. The company supplied in those far olf days a long felt want. When gas came to Hokitika, it displaced kerosene and candles. The starting of the gas works was therefore a very notable event in civic development. During all the years there has been an uninterrupted supply of gas for lighting, heating and power, :tltd what should please the people most there lias been no exploiting of the public. Although for long year- tin* company enjoyed a monopoly : n lighting, the position Mas never abused. The Company pursued the even tenor of its way. content to play a ii-el'ul part in the general progress Ilf the town. The Company has not accumulated mu made large profits. It lias flourished modestly, the public deriving always the best service which could bo given. It is worth noting that the quality ol the local gas is of very high therm value, and w'itli ordinary care and attention a good light can lie secured always by the consumer, (las is coming more and more into domestic use these days, when fuel is becoming dearer..and ns strike times, difficult to obtain. Gas has proved a readily adaptable servant in and about the home, and the town is fortunate really in having bo well managed n plant and service at its call. The plant etc., after fifty years cf use is in very good order, and although gas now has a rival in electric liglir and power, it may he said from the accounts revealed by the annual meeting, that the Company has of late taken a new lease of life and appears destined to perform many years of useful service in the future welfare of the town.