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Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1924, Page 2

( nsTt.Y loading pro] nsitinns are being takon up in 11 10 North Island under the Highways scheme. Tho South Island seems to Ik- lagging l>ohiml at tlu> tuomont, hut should mow soon and catch up the tno.ro fortunate north. Ft is remarkable how popular the tar-seal-ing of the mails is proving. No douht that is booniiso tho experiments already triod liavo proved a sucre-s. Ahoilt Wellington the IPutt road i- lining pointed to as an outstanding suoooss. In that ease tho work was porformod l»v tho City Council stall' with both celerity and cheapness. The experience is inducing the City Council to treat many of the principal streets similarly. In the Taranaki district, tar sealed roads have long been acclaimed a success. "bile many of tho smaller Boroughs in the North Island have raised loans in order to place the principal thoroughfares in satisfactory order to carry the traffic of the district. Tho first cost is naturally something of a stumbling block, but that overcome, the saving in future maintenance liesides the convenience of a more service, a ole and less dusty road, more than compensates. Tar-sealed roads assist to give a town a more cleanly appearance, and’ for the principal streets must lie a hoon to shopkeepers who are troubled hut little by tho dust nuisance in the damage to their stoeks. For the country districts where the roads have to carry heavy motor traffic tho stretches of tar sealed roads prove a special boon in regard to transport, and maintenance costs are reduced very pinterjn]ly ; Neither weight por speed

try the tar healed roads as severely as happens in the rose of giavel or tnacadam roads. The experience of the north should induce similar enterprise in the south, where with more wet. tar sealed loads should prove even more economical, as there will he less loss of material in heavy min or by severe scouring. The matter is worth certainly very close attention by the authorities.

It is pleasing to learn that the winter show for the Kokntnhi-Koitorangi distriet is again proving a marked suc-

cess. This was indicated in the first instance hv the increase in the number of entries, and now news is to hand that- not only in quantity but in quality also, there is a marked advance. The promoters of the show are to lie congratulated on the success achieved, and it would he pleasing to learn that the financial return "ill give the Committee encouragement to make a more ambitious effort next year. This might lie attempted " ill l a fair degree if success by making an earlier start with the promotion of the show. IVith the experience now gained, it should he possible to issue till' schedule much earlier than lias been the ease hereto fore, and if representatives or sul>-

eonimiltees were appointed in other neighboring centres, a wider list of entries would he assured. Thete is no reason why the Show should not grow into a West la ltd rnllror than a local district show, and a little advance publicity could >ecure that desirable re-

sult. The Kokatahi district lias proved itself a natural centre for such a show, as it is self-contained in itself, and lias given a lead as to "hat call he doti. The exhibits in many of the classes eon i d no doubt lie emulated I rum other coolies, ami tluu is jii't. what is required to stimulate practical

interest so as to make the pursuit of farming and dairying in the distinct more and mote progressive. As was

■suggested on a previous occasion, flic senodule might he enlarged so as to

give more scope for competition from the farmers' wives. An expanded show must lie of value to the district and the more that, can he done to encourage competition the greater the immediate ell'cct upon the community. In many pla'cs winter shows are well established as a means to promote '•* cal production, and the beginning the in ry district has made in that respect suggests similar good serviie for Westland tan hr done as the scope and interest ill the annual displays and competitions are widened.