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Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1927, Page 2

Tiie condition of any town or centre is a reflex of the people themselves. This has heen asserted over and over again, and Hokitika has been praised from time to time for its progressive spirit and what has been brought in the train of that demonstrated spirit. The success of the Exhibition, the amenities which the town enjoys in tjic mat-

ter of streets, lighting and water supply, are all to be credited to the foresight of the people who seized opportunities as they presented themselves to secure important conveniences for the benefit of the town as a whole. When the telephone came as a result of a little spirited enterprise, it. too. was welcomed as a very useliil adjunct to the eve re day life. Hokitika got on without it- for a long time, but when it came, like all modern timesaving conveniences, it has come to lie indispeiisible. It is useful for one anil all as a means to annihilate space and save time in the transaction of daily affairs. Just at present there is a movement to extend the use of the telephone, bv making the service continuous. Such a result would gi'e a hundred per cent benefit whereas at present it may be set down as only seventy-five per cent. The increase of twenty-five per cent, benefit may be bad for a trifling addition to the annual cost, while the all-round benefit would be enhanced very greatly. Ibe provision of continuous service would be something to add to the prestige of the town, seeing that so many other centres in llie Dominion (many of them of lesser population) already have the continuous service. In that respect, then, the matter is something which touches the prestige of the town —keeping pace with other centres, in respect to which Hokitika will not consider itself of lessor importance. As a matter for citizenship, for pride in our own town, maintainig its standing and at tin* some time securing a most useful public service for the several benefits, there might welj be a readiness on all sides to sign the petition now in circulation to the authorities, asking that the Hokitka Telephone Exchange be made continuous. The all round value of such an embracing service is undeniable, and in the common as well as public interests, the townsfolk should unite on this matter, as well as oil all others, alike for the common and public good, and so keep l lie town prominently to the front in those concerns which count for the general good of the community.