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Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1926, Page 2

The holidays have passed off again, and during this weeds folk will he settling down again to the daily round. The weather on the whole was on fair behaviour. The local Haring Club had the customary visitation of damp conditions which detracted from Die success of the opening day of the race meeting, hut the conditions have been worse, and on that, account there is something to be thankful for. The district suffered a good deal hv reason of the Dunedin Exhibition being in progress. There lias been ;i very considerable exodus from the Coast, and in addition the influx of visitors has not been at all numerous. This i.s lull a passing phase though, for the people are not out of the Dominion, and after the novelty of the Exhibition lias worn down, there will be those inclined to finish ni) their holidays in beautiful Westland. Traders and business people report a quiet Christmas on the whole. Local trade has been penalised by those saving up for a trip abroad, but probably the average for the year will tell up in lho end. The racing clubs seemed to sillier by In k of horses, and a shortage of cash for investment. Probably the diminished volume of speculation was due more to the small licltb than in any other cause. In several instances where the sporting chance was good, speculation was not altogether unsatisfactory in all the eirciimslan.es. The local racing club anticipated a shortage bv reducing its stakes fi r the occasion, and this proved a wise step to take, for i.t. enabled the Club to emerge without serious loss, file Trotting Club was more fortunate in r.eatlier and fields and did belter, having, a fairly successful meeting. The ncighltouring Clubs are completing their fix turns this week. With good weather they promise l<> come out fairly well, and Iliac under the circumstances must lie considered a satisfactory achievement. The New Year was a quiet period here because the town was without local attractions. The absence of fireworks on New Year’s Eve was again commented upon. It might lie wise to consider the revival of that popular form of celebration with the object of enlivening the occasion locally. Athletic sports for lack of patronage by competitors and public, are also at a discount, and the usual gathering of the character referred to, was much missed this year.