Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1924, Page 2

tending—the attendance going up l»y leap? and bounds. One paper says that people from nil over tltb Empire nn:l from every town and village in England. Scotland and Wales aic flocking to I.ondon. and never before was there such a rush and keenness to see an exhibition. People, too. are beginning to realise the .stgnilfeaiicc of this great undertaking and to perceive that this epitome of the Empire is something which every Ilritou ought to visit. It ii at once a revelation and an inspiration. and is opening tlTe eyes of hundreds of thousands of people to what the British Empire really is and really means. Immense numbers of people, both from the Dominions and the provinces, are visiting I.ondon who have never visited it before and as is only titling—are becoming acquainted xvith tile centre of the Empire just- when they are learning how important that Empire is. A visit to Wembley is full of pleasure and profit, and one of the most satisfactory features is the number of trade excursions to the exhibition which are being organised by large firms up and down the country. For a chief object of the exhibition is to act as an impulse on our trade, and this aspect of it cannot he too prominently kept in mind. We'mhley is a marvellous advertisement for the Empire and it- goods, and. like all wise advertisements. it will fully justify itself.

I)ritiN<; the week-end tlioro was »nno j indication by the cable that Now Zealand at \\omhley was assarting itfrom a trado point of view. This is so far very satisfactory, for uj> to th" ; sent the general concensus of «*■:•»■" has keen that the Xew Zealand Pavilion has not keen designed nor decorated to do justice to the Dominion. Tn 1 act a mono the oversea displays, one criticism described the Xew Zealand display as ‘'also ran." It- was not in a place at all—merely a starter, hut had finisher. This state of affairs has been deplored over and over again, hut if as the oabla news tells ns. Xew Zealand produce, because of its own native merit, is winning fame and renown. the lack of decorative effect wiH l>e less noticed. We can feel only that had the Dominion been keeping pace with the sister countries in the matter of notable displays, then indeed this country' would have done exceedingly well. According to late English files, tkfPjbloy is a success, prowcls ftro at- I

Tmk action of the direi t ir of the Kokatahi Dairy Factory Company in communicating with the Government. in regard to tlie loss of royalties’ revenue to the local bodies, emphasises the ratepayers’ side of the question. Ihe matter from the outset has been one essentially for the ratepayers to take up. hut. until now all complaint or agitation was left to the local body which evidently lias not boon influential enough to engage the serious attention of the government in the matter. Ol the ratepayers as :i whole, the farmers are the chief section of contributors, and in the letter tinder notice seems to present, the case very fairly. The dairv farmers till use the mad. and it is imperative the roads should he kept in fair condition for their iinpori ant t radio. As huge ratepayers, and ns producers adding to the reetirring wealth of the community, they have, certainly, a vpoeial claim in the matter. Rut they point out that the roads are being destroyed, not. by their jraflie. regular as it may he. hut hv the heavilv. laden timber lorries engaged in timber t rathe. The farmers have a right, hi expect that tU- compact made by'the legislation of I DOS should he resnected. " l'nder lhatt arrangement, the local bodies were fin receive half ,f tin* timber royalties, fbo money being ear-marked specially lor the up-keen of the roads of the district. X„W that, read traffic is increasing m volume, it is more important than ever that provision should be made for the expenditure which it is impossible to avoid if the settlers’ mails are to be kent up. The alternative will be Ui'•reas'.d rating. Tint is not a pleasant prospect. particularly in tins disit rt. where owing to the great stores of limber, if the district received fair plnv ill tbe limiter, and was paid the rev*.title it was promised under Past legislation, the rates should he a diminishing anil not. an increasing quantity. It; is well therefore for tile voice of ilie rasepayets to tie heard in the mailer, ami it is hoped that their complaint will result in the attention of the government being drawn to an ojfort uhereby the matter will be adjusted with some show of fairness to the local ltod.v.

It may hr anticipated that the social event of the season i<> transpire tonight ilie annual ball in aid ol the Hospital funds - " ill be all oil! 'tending Ml- ecss. There ate severe! . oliiributing lectors to this c oiielesan l . lia- institution .servos such a useful purpose that it i- not likely at any time to c—*ape public attention when a call is made lor liiiancial assistance. 'lime was wbi'ii the voluntary < ontribulions foi hostile) nuiintoiinm.T. was the outstanding virtttw of the community - l.otli town ami country. Compulsory mainteiianvc by w'ay ot rales and taxes has not killed that spirit, nor is it litclv to do so where \\ est Coasters eoiignegate. Next to the institution i.s the pipulatiiy of the' management, inside and outside, internally there is band of devoted workers who take priil*. in doing their duty to the patients ad of whom leave the institution with the highest respect nml legutd lor all about the Hospital. Externally titer*, is an imlelntignble committee which has by | ersisteme brought the institution to a fine position; a credit- to the community. The splendid range of buildings now adorning .Sea View is not u mean monument to tin- work of Hie successive committees charged with the ear*, and organisation of the Westland Hospital. There is now established on the coniines of Hokitika a hospital which the people may be proud of. and grateful to all those who. by intimate cate and attention, contributed to its establishment. Till'll there is the hard-working band of ladies who set nlxiut organising the annual ball. These Indies, no doubt, are inspired by grateful regard for till that the institution stands for. and they seem ro i mnwunieiite their enthusiasm to the public, with the result that all th*> town and its wife, to say nothing of the country cousins, will roll tip as one big family to-night to ensure the pronounced success of the function. It is good to feel that this generous expression of ?tp] reciation is assured. Not only will it be a recognition of the p.*..st- good work, but, an encouragement to all connected with the Westland Hospital for further good work in the future. The institution ami all about it. is very much in the public eye. and this \rill lie demonstrated to-night by the large gathering assembled to mark the social event to honor th* occasion in tnntd.