THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES

Hokitika Guardian, 27 May 1927, Page 2

THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES

Tin; R.ui.wavs. The railway accounts for the financial year reflect the relative depression of the times and the growing competition of the road. Receipts fell, and the net revenue, including the subsidy on branch lines, decreased by £-18.010. While livestock and goods traffic seems, on the whole, to have increased. there was a substantial decline in passenger traffic. The difference between the net revenue less the branch lines subsidy, and the interest hill, is £554.000 or about double what it was the previous year. Tn that year the subsidy from the Consolidate'’ Fund on branch lines was £359,000; last year it- was £445.000. This means that branch lines are even more unprofitable than they were, and the question whether tiie Department is ui.se in maintaining all of them becomes more insistent. The accounts can hardly he considered satisfactory, and the losses they disclose are a fresh proof of the need for foresight and courage in policy and business methods in administration. —Auckland Star.

Divine Service will be conducted at the Woodstock Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 29th. at 2.30 by Rev. J. 4Y. Hayward.

Messrs W. Jeffries and Co. notify the postponement until further notice of the Bold Head stock sale, announced for to-morrow.

A notice hv the District Public Trustee. in the estate of the late Henry A. Thompson, of Hokitika, appears in this issue. Messrs Mark Sprot and Co. will scdl at their rooms Mackny Street. Greymouth to-morrow (Saturday) May 28th. on account of holder of bill of lading, whisky, schnapps, crockery. lAmsehold furniture and effects.

The funeral of the late Mr Quong Chong On, the well-known fruiterer took place yesterday afternoon and was largely attended. There was much interest shown in the quaint Chinese ceremony, it being the first of that nature to take place for a number of years. The residence of Mr J. Alexander, at Camerons, was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday morning. The house, a two-storied structure. was bought by Mr Alexander last December. and since then lie had carried out many improvements. Nothing was saved from the contents of ihc building.

The funeral of the late H. W. Handle took place at Stafford yesterday afternoon and was very numerously attended. All the residents of the district attended as well as many visitors including the Member tor Westland, the County Chairman and other members of the Westland County Council. Many floral wreaths were sent expressive of the widespread sympathy felt. The Anglican Church was Idled for the opening of the burial service which was conducted by Revd. Canon Hamilton who spoke of the life service for the good of the community by the deceased. The hymn ••'Abide With Me.” was sung by the congregation at the close of the church service. A lengthy cortege was then funned, and the procession moved to the Stafford Cemtery where the burial service was concluded in the presence of a large gathering of mourners. Friends had assembled from all parts of the districts, including many from Kuinara. Hokitika. Greymoutli and elsewhere. (In ail sides were to be heard expressions of regret at the demise of Mr Handle who had been for so many years such a central figure in the lift 1 of the Stafford and Goldsborough communities. Woods’ Great Peppermint cure For Coughs and Colds, iier tils.