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Hokitika Guardian, 29 March 1927, Page 2

Sections of the southern people of Westland are turning their attention again to the matter of the extension of the railway into South Westland. The desire for the extension of the railway beyond Boss was so far satislied that in the Public Works Statement of 1911, the claims of the line were fully recognised. As a matter of fact the extension to Mikonni was authorised by act of Parliament—and that authorisation still stands. In addition a vote was passed by Parliament. Unfortunately just at that time a. change of Government came about and the succeeding .Minister of Public Works in 1912. announced that the work was to be dropped ! When the Government of the day took up that decisive attitude, private enterprise undertook the work of providing a moans for the output of the timber, which was to be such a means of revenue for the line. But before beginning the work they took precautions of having a personal interview with the Minister to ascertain exactly wluit was proposed. As the public position was entirely negative, private action became positive, and so was begun a line which has been gradually extended south. The line would have penetrated much further ere this, and probably have been of greater public utility, but for the Forest Service blocking a connection at a necessary point except upon what are considered unfair conditions by the holders of the tramway rights. Here we might digress to comment on the action of n department which is part of a government responsible for bringing people into New Zealand, but stifles private enterprise and capital expenditure when it sots about a utility service, which would be of some value in assisting to absorb the people another department of the same govern- ' nieiit is bringing into the Dominion— 1 but that is another story for subsequent reference. The case for the railway south of Boss is practically as strong ( as ever it was when Parliament authorised the commencement of the work. . The district has become more' settler l in the past fifteen years, and the need for tapping the vast timber forests in ‘ the. south before being destroyed for settlement purposes, becomes apparent. The exports from the district in the way of stock and produce are a growing quantity. Due to the opening of ' the through Midland railway service, ' tlie South Westland railway increases * in importance as a permanent feeder ,1 of the main line, and justifies recon- ( sideration of the merits of the case. With the advent of different Ministers ' of the Crown to the south district in the immediate future, here is the opportunity to re-open the ease with the Government by a personal appeal, and € the southern public should not miss the “ opportunity to do so when Ministers proceed south this week and subsequently. It is an opportunity which r should not be missed. 2

The County authorities arc issuing a further hatch of summonses after 31st. inst. in respect to unpaid County and Harbor rates.

Tii© total cost of tlic expenses In. connection with the Royal "Visit to Hokitika was £ll7 11s sd. The Government contribute a subsidy of £SO towards this sum. The bulk of the expenditure was in relation to the transport and entertainment of the children.

The free cooking demonstrations will be continued at the .Soldiers’ Hall on Thursday afternoon of this week, nniinencing<nt 2.30 o’clock. The menu for this week will be, moat pie. Norwegian trifle, scones, fairy cakes and sponge. Mrs Heinz will conduct the demonstration as heretofore. A cordial invitation is given to all interested to attend. -Advt.

Alossis \Y. Weddell and Co. advise, dated Condon 25th. March: “Danish butter 178 s to 180 s (last week 178sl: X.Z. unsalted butter 160 s to 102 s (152 s to 1565), salted 150 s to 151 s (Ills lo 115 s). Market quiet. Choose, white and coloured. 78s to 80s (74s to 765). Market quiet. Canadian cheese, w<> and coloured 01s to 06s (92s lo 965).”

The programme for the eluentiiiPary recital at the Town Hall next Friday night is a very diversified one and will he worthy of the fullest support. Apart from the artistic value of the programme, the fact that the occasion is a benefit for the local branch of ihe Plunket Society will commend the entertainment to many, and a large attendance may be looked tor. 'I he price of admission is within reach of all. front seats 2s. hack scats Is. with half price for children.

The Ilor. G. J. Anderson yesterday visited Kunanga, meeting the .Miners’ Cuion on the matter of the recent deduction of an hour’s pay when the men

were not working, owing to a temporary stoppage of the mine fan. After hearing the men’s representations, the Minister said tli.it he could not »ee his way clear to agree to payment for the time lost. II was not the actual amount involved in the present install e, but the principle that cotinl-

Cbrislchurch was plunged into dnr ness about half an hour before mi night on Saturday. The current »; cut off without a Dicker of warning f about, twenty minutes. Tt did not i conveuienie many people, however, In dancing in the cabarets and niusi balls was suspended for a while. Tl trouble was caused through a rat tin ing its way into one of the main <- hides at the City Council’s power st tinn. Armagh Sltieel. K'leetrieia were engaged far over a quarter of : hour in repairing the trouble.

At the present time there are many hundreds of people—men, women ami children engaged in the hop harvest, says the Nelson “Evening Mail.” Never in the history ef this industry have so many men been known to be employed a.s .pickers as this tear. The fact is generally attributed to the dearth of employment generally ruling throughout the entire Dominion at present. A great number of ti"w arrivals of both sexes from the Old l-and are at present in (be .Moteueka and Riwaka districts. The bop crop this year is considered a particularly heavy one wherever hops are grown. It is tin? best tint lias been known for quite a number of years, Hop-nicking has been in progress for two or three weeks, and will last another fortnight -and in some of the larger gardens for the best part of three weeks.

A meeting of the Kokalabi-Koite-rangi 'Winter Slum- Committee will lie belli at Kokatalii on Saturday evening. April 2nd. It is the intention of the executive to k-ivc nothing undone to make the Sixth Annual Show ail improvement on rlie past -successful events. Many alterations have been made to the schedule of classes which will be issued shortly. A very fine addition to the prize list this year will be a twenty guinea cup very generously donated by Mr Newman of Newmans Motors. Full details in connection with this trophy will he arranged at the next meeting, and should be the means of adding much interest to the show. Residents throughout the district are showing unusual keen interest in this year’s competitions. This together with one of the host, seasons for produce should pave the wav for a record show for the Coast.

Statistics relating to places of worship in the Dominion have hecn compiled by the Government Statistician from information furnished by a responsible official in each congregation, and are included in the Census returns of last year. The data on religious professions from the population schedui'es have not yet been compiled, hut tire estimate quoted, being a prorata allocation of the 1921 experience, is taken to he close to the actual mark, as the statistics in this respect lluetuaate little. The following is a comparison between the number ot

churches and the number of adherents:—Church of England, adherents (approximate), 587,600, churches 755; Presbyterian 839,300. churches 586; Roman Catholic 181,100, churches 362; Methodist 124.100. churches 441 ; Baptist 21.900, churches 50; "Salvation Armv 12,800. churches 71 ; Brethren 12.200; churches 37; Church of Christ 9500. churches 45; Congregational 8700. churches . 25. The aggregate of averages representing the numbers usually present at the largest attended service of the day is some 251.000, equivalent to some 19 per cent, of the population. Figures for some of the larger denominations are: —Church of England 59,000, Presbyterian 05,000, koman Catholic 55,000, Methodist 34.000, The premier position in Sunday schools appears to he held by the Presbyterian Church, with 4800 teachers and 40.100 scholar*. The Church of England returns sliow--3400 teachers and 40.100 scholars. Methodist Sunday schools had a roll' of 28.700. with a staff of 2900, and Homan Catholic institutions some 11.000 scholars and 500 teachers. More than double value for your money. Extraordinary clearance of summer goods at the popular price of Is lid each and 2s for 4s lid. This wonderful bargain 4s lid sale begins at 9 o’clock Saturday, March 26th. The bargains are mighty and many and wii'l eclipse for value any 4s lid sale of the' past. Come prepared for astounding bargains. Mc-Gruer’s, Hokitika and Oreymouth.—Advt.

Now landing. large consignments of choice dessert, and cooking apples. Nelson tomatoes etc-. Paterson. Michel and Co. (’phone No. 2). —Advt. Use Sharland’s Table Vinegar, for flavour, purity and strength. In bulk and bottle. Free from mineral acids. All the best grocers. Advt. When buying sheetings, pillow cottons and damasks it is essential that von buy goods that will wash and wear well. The qualities we sell have proved their genuineness. We guarantee every yard distributed, and will replace free, any - cloth hearing the ‘A'banco” brand not giving absolute wash and wear satisfaction, 54in. from Is 9d. 80in. from 2s 3d, pillow cotton from Is 2d.—Schroder and Co.—Advt. Special line of Silk Hose in all wanted shades. This week’s price 3s lid. —Addisons. —Advt. Rainy clays, rubber coats I—Ladies’ rubber coats, black, brown, saxe, 21s, 255, 29s 6d at McKay’s.—Advt.

The Municipal Band will hold its wactioe at 8 o’clock this evening at he usual place.

In connection with the Westport races, civilians IN Tutors .Ltd. will run n special car. leaving on Friday, if sufficient inducement offers.

A Press wire from Mastcrton lasi night stated:—lt was reported at a late hour to-night that the condition of the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, is very critical.

The following telegram was received l.v the Public Works Department at Cluristch iireli on Saturday morning from the Boa ley : —‘Ml iver mifordahle. Slips in road from Cass to Arthur’s Pass. Rough Crock washed out. Weather unsettled. Henley to Arthur’s Pass impassable lor traffic.

The weekly euchre tournament will he held in St. Mary’s Club Rooms this evening. The prizes to he awarded will he: -First, an eiderdown quilt; second, one dozen pillow slips and pillow shams; third, a rug; fourth, half dozen men’s socks. Supper provided. Admission 2s. Play commences at 8 o’clock sharp.—Advt.

Subsequent to the usual round of shooting at the Soldiers’ Hall last evening, t'lie members of the .Miniature Rifle Club assembled in the annexe where tke lady members of the Club bad provided a tasteful spread. A social hour or two was passed very pleasantly under the happy presidency of Revd. d. W. Hayward, who directed affairs with a master hand. During the evening occasion was taken to present Master C. Collyer with a wallet, as * mark of appreciation from the members of the Club for Ids distinctive Dominion will in appropriating the Cadet Championship of New Zealand at the recent meeting at Trenthnni. A very appropriate speech was made by Mr Hayward in making the presentation. Congratulatory remarks were extended also by .Messrs feharman, Johnstone, Drummond, Kvans. Melijtosli. and McCallum. all ol whom tendered congratulations and gnvd wishes for the future to Cadet Collyer. Both Cadet Colly.;* and his father replied to tho complimentary speeches made. The Secretary reported the Club (now in its second year) was out of debt, all the initial expense' having been met. lie gave nart ieulars of shooting competitions to lie aIT.-iug al as well as matches far trophies presented by Messrs Evans. Partridge and Melntosh. Ail appeal for mere lndy lnembers was made. The lively interest taken, in the Club* by the management. and those actively engaged in the shouting gives promise of some good .results. The Club is now affiliated will) the Dominion Association, ami members may participate in champion-

ship and team mutches on their own ranges. There is likely to be a very v busy shooting season this year, ini! eluding visits and return visits to anil t. from tin- neighbouring (flub at Greymonth.

Stock-taking Specials—s4in. tweeds, suitable for hard wear, usual price lfls Cd. now all one price, 3s fid; 50in. tweeds for hoys’ wear, usual price 17s Ifd. now 5s 1 Id—Schroder and Co.—Ladies’ umbrellas, 7s Od to 21s, newest handles at McKay's.— Advt. Yarrall’s for latest records:—“That Certain Feeling,” “Two Sad Eyes,” “Rose of St. Mary's” “The Governor’s Pardon.” “Have You Forgotten Yvonne,’’ the musical comedy “Sunny,” “Spring is Here,” “Perfume of the Past,” “Song of the Yolga Boatmen,” “Buy Bananas,” “AYlio’d Be Blue,” “Could TP—T Certainly Could,” “flirt'd to get Gertie,” “Here Comes Alalinila.”—Advt