Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1924, Page 2

Eritoi'K is not ns .satisfactory as it might he even now. said Mr l.lovd George, but it i= steadily improving, bet those who are discontented with the progress made just imagine what the condition of Europe would have lieen like to-day if the Allies had been overthrown and Prussian militarism had been enthroned on that Continent. The ground covered hv democracy in its notable advance in the 19th. century towards tho era of enlightened freedom would have been lost, anil we should have Itcon flung hack bruised and broken into the age t f selfish force. Tt lias happened before in the history of the world, when violence and barbarism triumphed over ordered progress. The British Empire made i‘ possible for humanity to avert the catastrophe. The title of the Dominions to nationhood was won in rendering the greatest service to mankind ever achieved by any young people in the history, and on that reeord the old nations of the earth assembled at Versailles gladly admitted these heroic young nations into their ancient and honourable fraternity. The Great War

was a rovolation of the infinite possibilities of the British Empire. It forced eyes that had barely glanced at its vast ness to dwell upon it with amazement, with understanding, and with hope. The prospect in front of the British Empire staggers the imagination. It is not a (lreatn; it is a purely arithmetical calculation. In order to understand wlint this gigantic commonwealth of nations has before it, you need not take the pen of the poet or the brush of tho painter; the htimhle pencil of the reckoner is enough. What its capabilities are today the world has heen taught in the sternest of all schools- that of war. What its possibilities are for to-morrow any mail can calculate for himself. But to realise all those possibilities one must also study and comprehend thoroughly, candidly, and fearlessly its limitations and dangers.

Tin; liases of unity said Mr l.lovd George. • consist in the immense distances which have to he tra've: sell hv the bonds of union, lor up,art irom the immensity of its territories, there is the further fact that they are scattered in every continent, every otoan every hemisphere, and every zone. ’llicy consist also in the variety of its races, creeds, traditions, and interests. The task of the true believer in the policy of consolidation is to assist)’ in minimising all these difficulties* so t.i knit the Empire more closely together. bln a recent occasion I went to the extent of voting against my own pjirtv on ail Imperial issue submitted to the British I’a:liament. That does not blind me to the danger of seeking unity on the basis ol a ciiiitroversiai issue, and my fervent appeal to all loyal soi.s of the Empire is this: Thai unity between the various parts ol the Empire should he sought along lines which do not | roiuoto discord inside ; single province of the Empire. 3 here a,;e in all the- provinces id the Empire, including Britain, internal issues which I roviikt* controversy, .some economic. s <atio historical, some racial or religious. If possible, unity must not be sought along lines which rouse any <: these controversies, traverse any ol these issues, or offend any ol these siisioptibilities. The British Empire, vim eluded Mr l.lovd George, was worthy of oilr best, our most sustained and outmost chivalrous endeavour. The I ’less could secure the triiuii] h of this noble ideal of a United Empire of flee nations which should be the watch-tower and citadel of peace., liberty, and fail play in tho world.

Alkntion \\;is made this week cl a meni'::'iili!t‘ incident in the visit i>l Sir James Ferguson. when ( Ir>Vi*i*nof cl New Zealand, t<> Hokitika in tlie seventies. The (iiiveninr-deiieral elect for the Dominion is a son ol Sir .lames, while Italy Ferguson is a daughter ot le.nl Glasgow. a loniier (lovernor of New Zealand who was also .a visitor to Hokitika. On the occasion of his visit l.ord Glasgow walk taken to l.ake ICanieri. where lie was entertained at a luncheon in a tciniiurary building ovorloikine the hike. It was a elotidy day, I nrtending ra.in. lint l.onl Glasgow wtis delighted with the view, and remarked how much the scene spread helore him was like his own home country. Scotland. Sir Charles and l.ady Ferguson sliould feel very liilleh at home in .New Zealand seeing that their parents lielore them had lieen domiciled in ih: country. Mention ol (!ovomers' visits to Hokitika, it is recorded in Mr 11. C. Reid's •‘(iohlen Coast", that Sir George (!rcy was the first Governor of N’ew Zealand to visit the Coe The visit occurred late in January. 18(17. having (ravelled <iverland from Christ eh II rell. They Were the palmy days of Hokitika, and although the town was (piite in its infancy a not aide reception was accorded, lor in addition to the re; resentalices of the corporation, the Masonic body. (Hldlcllows. l'i:o lirigailc, Hand etc., turned out and met 11 is Kxeellem y on the outskirts of tin- town, whole a triumphal ni'ih had heeii erected. Ihe progress of. Sir (iconic (trey through the town was a complete ovation. 11l all there weie six arches, and at night the town was illuminated and the (lovernor peramhnlaied the town in company with Mr Justice (irexson. Iho following day a levee was held in the Supreme Court House (now the Soldiers” Halli and a loyal address | resented. The address set forth the fact that only two years previous, the town was ‘an unknown and liarren Waste". lon now it had risen to he "an opulent, thriving commercial town." 'I here were more illuminations the followin'; night. candles and kerosene tiein" the illuminaiit.s. A topical transparency was a. swaged digger carrying as his harden a load in the shape of Hold duty, taxes, customs duties and Warden's Court fees! For the hampiet the building was said to he “extravagantly decorated." Visits were paid to Kanieri and Wainiea. and finally by the steamer IJruee to Greymouth.

Tmb visit of Sir George Grey was iltr first ollivial recognition of tin- Const l>y ;i governing representative of the Sovereign. Others followed. Sii George Hmvon attempted to lnml here in Fchriiiiry. 1871. but through stress of weather. entrance could not lie obtained :u Westrort. Grcymnuth or Hokitika. So tin 1 steamer took tile Governor on n visit to the Sounds, where to this day we have tlie Tloweii water full, n notnhle, graceful waterfall. In April of the same year Sir George reached Hokitika hv '.'ay of the Christelmreli road. The public demonstration fell short, of that accorded Sir (Iconic (trey. The population was less, and there was not the wealth or its extravagance of 1807 times. Captain, afterwards Colonel, l'iit was aid-de-camp, and Air I!olleston. Superintendent of Canterbury, was of the party. However, three brass bands Hokitika. I ’ US' and Sl.nllord led the |ro ’ession to Hokitika. There is a notable photograph of many early celebrities of the town at the time of (ivernor llowen's visit still cstiint. and is an intciesting record cT the pioneers of those days. The Coventor was entertained at a race l meeting and other functions and had delightful weather. He visited several localities, and had a notable reception at Hess. In those days the road was by the ocean bench. There were stables at South Hokitika, and a large riding party accompanied the Coventor. There was racing and chasing tilong the le.acli. the journey bung accomplished in remarkably <|itick time, as the writer of this paragraph can recall. being of tile party and carried by one of the horsemen on the pommel of the saddle. The reception at Hess and elsewhere was most hearty and loyal His Kxrellettcy proving’very popular on all sides. Sir .Tames Ferguson was the third Coventor to visit Hokitika. and then in 1877 came the ATarf|tiis of Xormanhv who readied Hokitika by sea. The weather conditions were damp, but it fared well enough to allow -an elaborate ] regramme to be carried through. From Hokitika, the noble Alarqttis went north, accompanied by County Chairman AfeAVhirter. while Kumara then having been discovered. Afessrs Soddon and Hotdahnn were the escorts down the lead where mining was in progress. Air Houlalutn in lii.s hearty jovial way referred to the Governor a.s a “rale live Afarkis,’’ a speech which will lie remembered always by the pioneers of Kumara. And so history brings the story down to Inter days when, the happenings are more familiar and less novel and interesting.

The entries for the fat stock sale at Ainliurii on Alonday appear in this issue.

.Air T. S. Dove, of Upper Rieenrton lotilies that sittings of Utility Alelioras from prize winners are on sale.

Al'- 1.. 1-'. Ayson, Inspector of h'islieres, is visiting the district. Yesterday he proceeded to l.ake Kanieri and Kokatahi districts in connection with departmental business, includin'; possibilities of further fish hatching lor the south district.

There will not lie any dance at the Soldiers’ Hall this evening, as the interior of the building is still in the hands of the painters. I lie bidding will l,e available for the functions fixed lor next week.

On Wednesday next the County Chairman (Air K. A. Veils) in company with the members ot the Northern Hiding will inspect the district roads going as far as Kumara Junction. It is intended also to inspect Kanieri Take road, on which repairs are now in hand.

Members of the Knkatalii Football Club team to play Harihari for the* Breeze Shield on Saturday next*, who are tillable to make the journey, are requested to notify the Secretary by Wednesday night. The cars will leave Kokatahi on Saturday at !) a.in.—Advt.

The Hokitika Borough Council is considering a scheme to relieve the heavy drainage water I com 1 pper Jollie St., which creates swampy conditions on the flat along Station! St. where new buildings are now in course of erection. There is the problem also of dealing with the overflow from Livingstane St. drain, which feeds a water course at times llooding the swamp area referred to.

Tlie Soldiers’ Hall will be reopened on Tuesday night next with a popular dame in aid of the H.S.A. building lund. The hall will he out ol the painters’ hands mi .Monday, and swept and garnished as it will be, should be more attractive than ever. The floor w ill have special al tent ion, and votaries should have a very jolly evening. Further particulars will appear in next

Mr 11. S. S. Kyle, the unsuccessful Reform candidate for the l{ieoarton seat at the last general election, has definitely decided to contest the seat again at the next election in the iulcrests of the Reform Party. At the last election, on December •. I**22. tlie polling was as follows: (1. Witty (Tib rail. :l’_Mtl: 11. S. S. Kyle (lieform) 31I!In : .1. A. M'Cullougli (1.11bourt -I!II.

Complaints are being received again of thoughtless pedestrians crossing Cass Square and making ulisiglitl.v tracks on the grass sward, including lh ornamental corners. Ihe olleiiders are efiielly juveniles. though some adults find it too inueh trouble to walk round Ibe good roadway provided. H il.e thougbtless coni iline tlie nuisance tlie authorities will litul it necessary to close the corner gates, and so prevent the harm caused by those taking short cuts. It is desired to have ( ass .-~i|'.iai e in excellent order this season, but without tlie co-operative bell) ol the people much of I la- work done will be nullified. It is Imped tlii' warning will be eifeclive ami respected.

An accident of an alarming nature, hot fortunately unattended by loss of life occurred al lliknraugi Colliery Colli.ianv’ - mice recenll.V. A portion ~f the ol l lie mine fell, bringing down a mess of debris weighing a'mut •’ll tons. Two miner.-.. A. Cbrvstal and James Minis, who were working near|,v. „ere caught in the fall and burn'd. Ites -ue work was quickly m l>rooiess and willing binds siieieeded ill releasing tV men. Cbrystal was found I-. be severely I rinsed about the lees while Minis had severe cuts above the ,-ye. Both were Millenng Rom shock'. The es. am- was a narrow one. the tinilr'i-iug -if the roof and walls saving both miners from death.

The Kawar.au Gold-Mining Company has aviepted lie- tender ot Mes.-rs I’an-soiik-s and Rapier, of London and Ips-wii-li. for t.lu* ctiiKriiction «>f ton-stoivy sillicc (•:•( !l {()! tV I*l M• l V.'itll which AYakalipii I- to lie damme,l. i lie y.'li-s ale lo le »l -'milliard make. -in:i!:.i" lo tlm.-e siip:-|'e:l I »y the e.mii'.iuv in couin-etion with the Assuan ami other dams in diil'erent P-arts ol the world. The work will He eompieteii in live months, when tlie gates will t>e shipped. Tenders are to be called locally I'm- the construction ol the bridge, and tenders lor the erection ol the iK'cc.-.arv pier- will be called tor almost inimeiliatelv. Ibis will mean that aporuximately two-thirds of the work will lie dime with lot.nl labour.

When the bill which i- nciessary to give statutory eti'ecl to the sugar duty, agreed t" by le-olillion ill the House oi Representatives, comes up for its second reading a further dehate is almost certain to ensue", and a tairly close division may lie expected, reports a Wellington rorrespnmient . The (•overnini'll I policy ol giving a prelerein e lo the extent of £*J Is- Jtl a toll was enrrii'd hy only three yoio-. Mr Hawkeii. the menJier lor Fglimni. on Hint ome-

i .I, voted against the ( lovernmi'til. while Messrs M'iiitly and lz.il l. who Usoallv vote with ihe (Invi'iniiiotit. did not cot". I low I lies" tiir"" will V"tc Ol whet her tlnv will ibe bill i- j• ot kl"i',.'H. 11 was expeeteil dial -|.\-».;-.-i! I.ji.-ral- would have voled for the dii tv. Inn tin '.v went ini" the !>ppositioii loliliv. .lodging Irom leleorani' I'l' i'ic"! in W'llinglon tiler.' is considerable dissal isl'aetion in regard to the at! it ode of some lili'tid"'r-. and in yii-w of I Itesc fact s the division on the hill should he interesting.

(l no hi' tin' tiHiit distressing iniilicnts tli.-il have taken place on 1 It'ii-ni-tuii hill tor many years. ami lias ciist ;i i; 111 >i I !»• |-;i! 1 1 1" <xhur.ii over tlu 1 (-(iiiiiiinnity. ueurri'd mi "I tiosdav forer,ii hi mi tlu* fii;u' road th.it fiims throtigh thr township of fiuri'.ett’s Face. \ littlt' niil n:tim*( 1 .Vitnif Anili'i'suii. anvil 111. the daughter nl Mf Mark Anilor-nu. tvas run over l.y a full truck ami i-.'ii I'icil several yanls. w Itcti the truck If tli.' I'm!.l. The |>: unlit Ll l • silir.'fi'f lunl all tin' hum's m tlic left Ice Itrnki'ii. I'.'Mill's her thigh trneturi'il. lief hi'.‘i •! nils l.aillv laeerat.il. her line furn. anil almost every part ul her hiiily is badly hrtii'i'il ami lacerate: 1. Willi ciiliiii>i'iiilah!e spei'il. hnlli Doetur Mi'iizics ami the allihitlanee reaeheil the scene uf the painful meiileiit. The chilli Mas reiiiuvi'il t• i the Deiinisfmi husjiital. where the iluet.ir lepiii'tcil next morning. that nmier the trying anil decidedly painful Mill'd ini' the little patient was as well a. coil Ii I he expecteil.

Famous 1- sale at MeOrncr's, Hokitika ami Oreyiiiinith two days only Saturday and .Monday. Ant;, .'ill and Sept. Ist. You can hoy mote lor a shilling now than a shilling ever bought hefore. A few shillings w ill go a lone May at l!:is grout sale of niiheatahle bargains. Ilonrs open at o.3o.—Ailvt.

“XAZOL” acts like a charm in tackling coughs and colds. Penetrating and germ-killing. Hotter than mixtures or syrups. Most economical. Is fid.

Paint: “Fihrine” is best prntoctivi paint for wood, iron and steel tvork Anti-corresive, anti-fouling and cover ing capacity double ordinary paints H. P. M. Manning and Co., o l’odfon Hmv. Christchurch.—Advt.

A cold in the head makes one miser able. Lose no time in getting “NA--7.01..” Clears out colds and catarrh in double-quick time. Is Oil for 00 doses.