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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1924, Page 2

The Westland Racing Club which ranks as one of the most useful institutions in the town because of the volume of business drawn to the place on lace days had a fairly successful meeting at the week-end. The weather while not too propitious was good enough overhead for an outdoor gathering but the weather spoiled the trade and doubtless damped the ardour of those at a distance who were afraid of a wot day from the ominous clouds above. However, the folk make racing it pleasure in the effort to secure a profit as a passible contingency. The business side of the races do not appeal always to the people, lint when it is keen that the Government derived nearly £l.OlO in taxation from the meeting, that £2,000 bad to be found

in stakes, and with the other expenses of conducting the meeting, the Club has of necessity to give some attention to the business side of the event. The- country racing clubs invariably have ft difficulty in carrying on, and the local Club has stuck to its guns under very adverse circumstances at times. There will be at least some satisfaction derived in the knowledge

that the local meeting is a popular one "'i tli tlie public. There is the further satisfaction that the recent meeting passed off without a single untoward circumstance. No protests or complaints were lodged, and the racing was conducted without accident. The visiting stipendiary oflicials on behalf of the Having Conference expressed satisfaction at the conduct o* the meeting. and also as to the general conveniences of the course, which are equal to the requirements demanded bv the authorities, all departments considered necessary being provided. This all adds to tlie importance of th? Club ns a popular institution, and it means that so well established a Club is a dis. tiuct asset to tlie place. The fact that on race days so many hundreds of people are drawn here on business and pleasure bent (for owners, trainers and riders may he excused from making a business of racing) is a factor of some importance in the year’s doings, and must add considerably to the amount of money circulating in the district. For the two days’ racing it was evident plenty of money was forthcoming, which is some indication of the general prosperity pervading the Coast. On the whole tlie Christmas meeting may lie regarded with a good deal of satisfaction, and the Cluh deserves what success it has achieved to enable it to carry on as progressively in the future as in the past.

Hotel accommodation was again n pressing matter these holidays, ft is understood that some holiday makers who arrived here on Saturday night, intending to spend several clays in the district, wero unable to find suitable accommodation, and took the late train hack to Grcymouth at night, with the resolve to spend their holiday in Xe 1 - wm. and Marlborough. Though the folk were to blame somewhat themselves for not arranging accommodation ahead, as most travellers are disposed to do, particularly in the holiday period, it does seem, a pity something is not done to organise a bureau here, either through the Progress League or the licensed victuallers, so iliat tlie most use can lie made ol available* aeommodatinn in tlie busy season. It .should not be difficult, to do so. and the unwise travellers who arrive unannounced could then find themselves eared for. and enjoy and prolong their stay accordingly. It is not a good advertisement altogether to go abroad that there is inadequate accommodation. when in different ways efforts are iliro-tcil to boom tlie district as a holiday resort. To complete the full arrangements covering the invitation to visit Hokitika should he the provision to organise the accommodation, so that all who come may lie catered for properly. This is a word in season on a very important aspect of accommodation.