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Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1924, Page 2

Tub important departure proposed by the Minister of Public Works in regard to the expenditure of Government grants by local hodien is a coiimnliscn.se one, and action in the direction proposed lias long been overdue, llic system observed in the past lias been to oveiload the Estimates with works and votes many of which w*r* not intended for immediate expemliimo, and some were never expended -- being carried on year after year till they finally dropped out. Now it non system is being established under which the total available for public works expenditure is divided into a quota for each loading district, and the quota is sub-divided to each local authuritv in the district. The District Knginecr is then to confer with the respective local 'bodies, and a list c

works in order of urgency is drawn up to absorb the amount of the subquota. That amount is recommended to head office, and in due course', tig* list of works is embodied in the public Wur».x Estimates for the year to I passed pro-forma by Parliament for expenditure. The meeting of Parliament is usually protracted, ami Estimates for public works arc often among the last business to lie done, so that tile summer is advancing before money is considered formally available for local bodies. But tho new scheme changes all this much for the belter. Now ii is proposed as soon a.s trlie County works are agreed upon, the local Itodv may apply for leave to prfqsire proposals up to fifty per cent of tin* total available for the district. This avoids tho wait till Parliament rises, and enables the expenditure to l>e prepared in advance of the summer season. By this means the works will lie put in hand months earlier than heretofore, getting the benefit of the longer days and drier season, and so ensuring better and more economical expenditure all round. The Minister (Mr Coates) is hopeful that the change will b« for the convenience of all concerned, and will minimise the administrative procedure considerably. The toeal bodies have a prominent say in regard to the works to lie undertaken, and district requirements will receive first-hand consideration. Looking to economy in the matter of more and better work for tlie outlay, the scheme should lie a success from the outset. Urgent works will take priority, and will lie in hand months ahead i>f what was possible formerly. The scheme deserves to succeed, and the Minister is to be congratulated on the important sten taken.

».F. continue to hear very good accounts of tho liooklet to l>e circulated for advertising purposes by tho Canterbury Progress League in relation to 'Westland, fn which the local branch of the League is very properly co-ope-rating both financially and in providing data anß pictures for the issue. The pictures in the main are an entirely now set of Westland views selected by the Longue chiefly from Dr. Toiciielmnnn’s unique collection. Indeed some of the views were taken specially

for the publication to indicate the latest icaturcs ol ttio .south trip in particular. 'Elio booklet will be printed iti colors, and will be a work of art. Its production is in very capable hands, and the artistic effect of the completed publication wit leave very little to be desired. The enterprise which calls Jiortli the effoit is to be commended, for it is highly essential Westland scenic features should be better and more widely known. That it pays to advertise is evidenced by the increased patronage passing towards the Hermitage nowadays, since that resort lias gone over to private enterprise. Hundreds are now visiting the Hermitage where only tens went before. Westland has the opportunity of enjoying similar patronage, for it has attractions no less unique than the much boomed Hermitage itself. It’ is not right that the advertising of the scenic resources of Westland should In* lett so much to private enterprise. 'Die (iovermneut through its Tourist Department should do more to help, •he (iovermneut seems content to devote most of its advei tising funds to Rotorua, TaujHi, kindlier and the Cold Lakes. I lie West Coast which is a natural vrdndoidand of hush and mountain and river and lake scenery is neglected Horn an ndverlining point of view. With railway to the Coast no traveller.should be allowed by tile Tourist Bureaux at the several centres to pass through the Dominion without including Westland in the itinerary. Yet- we know as a. matter of fact that tourists are despatched through the country without a thought for Westland on the part- of tlie organising authorities. In some cases where tourists are sent to the Coast their itinerary is so limited that they may spend only the briefest of their time on Win Coast—most of it on the wing. The more Westland is advertised, tlie more, will it attract tourists and holiday makers. On that account the issue of the coming booklet- is specially to he welcomed.