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Hokitika Guardian, 18 December 1924, Page 2

Tub winding-up meeting of the guarantors of the Inhibition held here a year ago, not unnaturally resolved into an occasion for a good deal of mutual admiration. It was not a washing-up meeting in the sense that there was any residue to provide for out of the guarantees nor an occasion to devise ways and means to make both ends meet. Circumstances so fill out that in the order of events the ending had been a happy one—the accounts balanced nearly, the different e being happily a credit cash balance. That was not only satisfactory—it was an achievement which few, if any, exported at the outset, and at various stages of the enterprise. There were some 82 guarantors and the promisory notes deposited to meet, any possible deficiency totalled in value £.'1.220. There was thus a very ample contingent provision for what was the expected! But the unexpected came to pass, and the meeting had occasion to rejoice accordingly. The winding-up process has been rather long drawn out hut that was inevitable with such bulky supplies to realise upon with so limited a < otnnmnity to absorb the goods. Hut the task was persevered with satisfactorily, and the net result is very pleasing. The credit balance is not large, hut as a deficit was anticipated by most folk, the balance on the right side of the ledger, whatever its dimensions, is pleasing. The praise given to the directing committee and executive was well earned. The gentlemen who wore associated in the management put in a lot of self-sacrificing work to achieve the end in view. And it is not. after all, the financial result, which is so cerditable to all concerned, hut the major fact that the enterprise passed off with such general success, and was so excellent an advertisement for the district. Public and exhibitors alike found pleasure and profit in tbe largest enterprise of the kind tbe Coast has yet attempted. That main achievement is the chief occasion for gratification after all. and for the credit thus accrued to the district, all who contributed to so fine a result are to ho praised and thanked indeed. The committee discharged its work thoroughly and have left a splendid record to the credit of the town.

Tr is a matter for the expression ol regret that stress of circumstances has forced the Westland Acclimatisation So-i-itv to relinguish its interest in toe task of promoting tourist traffic to bake Kaniori. The Society has done pioneering work in this respect, and has not had the recognition it deserved in its task. It has been left to struggle along, but did its task well: so well til'llt the lake now lias a vogue which speaks well for its future popularity with visitors. II the heautilul bake is to maintain ibs popularity as a resort, it is necessary that the launch there should he retained in active commission. ’file boat is a very suitable one for the service, and now that the whole outfit is being offered for sale, it is to he hoped it will ho retained by the purchaser in the work in which it has served such good purpose in the past years. The Society is forced to realise because of the loss ol the caretaker’s residence, by lire, and the inability to rebuild. It is the intention of the Society to maintain the Kanieri hatchery, and in season fry will he hatched out as heretofore in the endeavour to go on stocking the rivers with lisli. Indeed, it is hoped, with the less divided interests, to do more than heretofore in the matter of lisli hatching and distribution, for that after nil is the main purpose of the Acclimatisation Society, bake Kanieri lias great possibilities as li fishing resort. The success attending the introduction of (piiunat salmon in the lake waters should encourage the Society to persevere on as large a scale as possible to further stock the lake. Good fishing will attract fishermen from all parts and maintain the outside interest in the lake. As a natural tourist resort and holiday ground, the lake has lew equals in New Zealand. It has a beautiful setting, and lias a natural charm. With its growing popularity it is essential there should be the facilities to reach all parts <:f the lake by boat and explore its interesting beaches. On that account it will lie a great loss if the launch should In' sold for removal, and it is to lie Imped ciicuinstances will so fall out that it will he possible to retain the boating outfit where it is so very usotub