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Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1925, Page 2

At present, when municipal, hospital, and harbour elections arc in the air, it may be convenient, says a contemporary, to say something upon the costs of the various public services. It is a fact that during the last nine or ten years the rates payable to haul bodies in tho Dominion have more than doubled, and now stand at about CT.OMO.OUO per year or over £•> per head of the population. If we take tin number of workers and earners at about £ecO,(H>o. it is oil them about €ll per head! Much of this represents interest on borrowed money, and it i simple truth that the people are being loaded with debt at a rate that will make future generations stand aghast. It all has to Is' paid for. Instead of being a young country looting its way, living on its income, and improving things as it is able from normal increases of revenue, everything must he up to date. Our roads, streets,, etc., are required to he up to the highest standards of Britain or America, and money has ceased to be a question, it is simply go and borrow. The same thing applies throughout. Every street must l>e lighted equal to a drawingroom, swept and garnished almost lit to eat off it, and the same reckless expenditure characterises every branch of rjtv, hospital and harbour activity. Every one. of these bodies seems to think it possesses Fortunatns’ purse, from which a never-failing supply of cash can be drawn. Nearly all of it is borrowed money, and the remainder is wrung front hard-working taxpayers and ratepayers. Behind it all lies the question of votes. Not a man standing for election is prepared to pledge himself to a policy of strict economy and retrenchment. And why ? Simply because the men who would lose their jobs have vote's and -so have their relatives and friends.

Tlio now entrance and accommodation rooms at the Soldiers’ Ilall will he used to-morow night for the first time in connection with the ball for the benefit of the Hokitika Beautifying Society. Messrs Wright Stephenson and Co. Ltd. and .Messrs I’yne, Could and Guiness Ltd. notify an important unreserved sale of 110 pedigree Friesians on Friday Bth. May at Greendale, Mid Canterbury. Full particulars in another column.

The Beautifying Society’s Ball tomorrow evening will commence promptly at 8.30 p.m. The orchestra will play selections from 8.15 to 8.30 p.m. during which time the dancers will have an opportunity of tilling their programmes.

The Greymouth Police last night received word of a fatality yesterday at Murchison. .Mr Janies Bait, farmer of the Murchison district, was driving a dray at Owen river, when it was upset, causing the death of Mr Bait. 'IHe deceased was a married man. and was 51 years of age.

Saturday next will lie Depot Hay for the K.S.A. Building Fund. the premises, opposite the Dominion Hotel will ho open, and gifts od all kinds will he welcomed. Donations Irom the country districts will he very acceptable. Contributors may 'plmno Mrs Benjamin or Mrs T. Stuart, and gifts will he called for. Domestic supplies are always readily saleable and gifts of cookery will he most acceptable.

'File benefit hall in aid of the Hokitika Beautifying Society will ho hold at the Soldiers’ Hull to-morrow light. A special committee is organising tie function whi< h should lie a great success from every point of view. A ladies’ committee is arranging the supper, and a sic ial orchestra has been engaged.

The Hon. 11. L. Michel leaves Sydney oil the return to New Zealand on Friday next. .Mr Michel who is accompanied by Mrs .Michel lias been as far as Adelaide where lie represented the New Zealand Claud Lodge of Freemasons at a notable gathering in the city when the foundation for a noble masonic temple was laid.

The shooting season for the Westland Acclimatisation District opens oil Friday. Particulars in respect to same appear in our advertising columns today as to the duration of the season ar.d the native and imported game which may ho taken. Licenses are obtainable from the Postmasters at Hokitika, Kuinara. Boss anil Okarito. The line for a breach of the shooting regulations is £2O.

Taking the cooler days of Autumn already at hand as forerun tiers of the cold days of a long winter, you could not choose a more opportune time to visit McKay’s great Sidling Campaign, to secure your every need in the way of dress and fashion goods, household goods, wearing apparel and men's and bo vs wear. Advt.

A Waina district resident calls attention to the genus "roadliog.” explaining that a few days ago a couple of children were driving into town in a light trap when a motorist, overtaking them, signalled a desire to pass (says the Waipa "Post”). The hoys drew to the side, giving ample loom, but the motorist was traveling last and the side of his ear belli the step of the horse-drawn vehicle, so line did he cut tilings in passing. The owner ol the trap is now honing that tins motorist damaged hi- own car. lor llicrc were witnesses to prove that the youngs.iors gave adequate right of way. though thev were not able to distinguish tile ear’s registration number.

The British Rugby team which toured South Al'iicu la-l year under the captaincy ol Dr ( ovc Smith received a rather severe east'gation at. the hands of a Dmch minister at a Rugby gathering at Pretoria. Ibe Bov. Dr. van !iro< kiiui/.en w.s the critic, and he prefaced los remarks by emphasising the old. I rui an that though it was a great tiling to win a mulch, it was a far greater achievement In lose a match in a sportsmanlike manner, lie charged the British touring team with not having accepted their heatings in a sportsmanlike attitude and complained that they had always had some excuse to oiler for them. They also, lie added, had a habit of quibbling at tile decisions ol the roleroe, and theii lack of respect for the referee was, to his mind, really deplorable. He contrasted this conduct with the reputation of the four Springbok teams ill Kngland. when the Knglisli people had said about, them: ’’See what fine sportsmen they are. and what clean Bugby they play.”

The “ Grey River Argils ” sn.vs it' is understood that extensive deals IW the purehaso ol standing white lime bush have just been arranged in South Westland in the interest of Australian capitalists. -Mr K. Creighton, representing tlio Australian interests, has been visiting the south, and has, it is stated, paid deposits in connection with num.-rolls blocks ol standing timbei in the vicinity of Okarito. the Waiho, and Waitnngi. It is mostly white pine, for which the general demand remains oood. It is reported that the settlers have disposed of their timber at comparatively moderate prices. This country, in many places, carries as much as 39.000 feet to the acre. 'I he whole of the hush over which options have been secured is on privately-owned land, so that the buyers have done very well for themselves. It is proposed to ship the timber from Okarito by means of scows.

The ambassadors of trade, commercial travellers ‘'strike a true note” and a for Bells’ Mild Yellow Label Whisky. Tin v know the goods. ‘‘Bell s” is mic.l and clear. Mark Sprot, and Co. Ltd., Grevmniith, sole distributors. — Advt.

McKay’s great Selling Campaign offers many great opportunities to save monev in buying the latest a.ml best of new seasonable goods. All that is forecasted to he worn this season will be included in this extraordinary .selling campaign.—Ad vt. Schroder and Co’s Great Stock-taking Sale is now finished. T» thanking you verv much for the liberal patronage, we no-- advise you, that we have opened our first shipment of new aide,mil millinery. velveteens in plain colors, embossed and printed effects. — Advt.

Motorists: Easy Starting in winter with “ Air-Friction ” Carburettor. Ensures also greater power and speed, slower speed in high gear. Saves you monev. Booklet ironi 11. B. M. .Manning and Co, 5 Bedford How. Christchurch.—Advt.

Drink Ivortegast Bros. Syphon Soda water for consistent good health. Obtainable at all leading hotels. Bing ’phone 92.—-Advt. Schroder and Co. have opened out a splendid range of new knitted costumes and sports coats; sill;, velvet and marocaiu frocks. Inspection cordially invited.—Advt.

The annual meeting of the Eeferees Association for Westland district takes place to-morrow evening at 7 o’clock sharp at Keller’s rooms. A full attendance is desired of all intending to a;t a.s referees during the ensuing season.

Messrs M. Houston and Co., will sell by auction to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 o’clock at Keller’s Sample Booms, the wliolc of the furniture and furnishing* remaining on account of Mr A. Burnett White.

The Kiwi Shod "ill he open to-night when all Seniors and Juniors are requested to attend for practice. The Thirds and Fourth Grades will meet to-morrow night at 7 o’clock for practice. and all members and intending memlier.s must attend.

The following Hokitika teams will play a hockov match to-morrow on Cass Square at 3.-15 p.m.:— A. team:- -A. Stapleton. W. Thompson, E. Grotifsk.v, M. Maunder. D. Biitland. G. Lock, E. Hughe-. J, Houston. M. Grouisky. L. AVild, A. Worming,ten. Enter. J. Meliltftsil. If. team:—C. lleid. X. Leak, ]\ Thorn. V. lfansgrove. I). Leslie, R. Herring, M. Wild, J. Walker, J. Dalgliesh. O. Stapleton. M. Sumner. Finer.. b. Gooch.

An indiscreet rat that crawled behind a switchboard at the lariki power station one evening succeeded in extinguishing all the lights, with the exception of those in Stratford, between Inglewood and Elthain (says the “Jarauaki Herald”!. The trouble began at H o’clock, and was not remedied for some time. When the rat was rescued it was still alive, though in a somewhat dazed condition.

Boiler Cleaning: Ensure satisfactory results by using ” Mexican ' Boiler Graphite. Gentle in action but sure. AVon’t injure holler. .Makes cleaning ea.sv but cuts cost in half. It. B. M. Manning and Co, 5 Bedford Bow. Chi'ischureh. Advt.

Xew Autumn goods direct irom the fashion centres of London and Baris and Xew A'ork now on view. Call and see the new Baris model millinery, woolen costumes and cardigans. McOruer’s. the Leading Drapers, Hokitika and Greymouth.--Advt. Bemud Infantile Paralysis as highly infectious. XAZOL kills germs in nose and throat. Mix with Olive Cil for children. —Advt. _____