The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1929. WORK WANTED. It is not 100 comfortng to find at the very outset of the new year, and at a seasonal period when employment should be more, general, a general demand for work all over New Zealand. In other words, unemployment is very rife, and no district escapes from the unwelcome visitation. I he plight in the centres of population seems to be rather serious, despite the attention the Government is giving the matter. The efforts in regard to reliej measures, it would appear, will have to be redoubled. In our own district there arc 1 ’men also looking tor work unsuccessfully, and the case for the idle appears to warrant more than passing at tentiou. As has been indicated previously, while we have no railway works avail;|bl* to absorb surplus labour. then l are important road works which could be put in hand, and pushed on, and this matter should occupy the attention of those it concerns. The last Parliament provided a vote for the extension of the great South Road ho-

yond Wcheka, and there should be room there for a large number of men as tho work is laid oil. Surveyors have been south now for a few weeks past, and it should not he dillicult to place a score or two of men on ihe work, and so relieve the more pressing cases. The work referred to is of a class which lends itself to big methods, and there will he room alien'd always lor more workmen. No doubt semipermanent camps could be fixed on the south side of Cook’s Itiver , and throughout the year the work could fie carried on •Ifoctively from that. >;iia. or. Jt would be well if the first section of the connection from tin's end could he carried on now with so much (ahour offering. The work was projected in the last Public Works Statement, and with money already vole-i and the surveys advanced, there should now he no obstacle in pushing the work on. The conditions for a favourable start could not he more promising and would enable not only legitimate relief for the unemployed, but also the prosecution of a work which will be of immense value to the future of Westland. Another direction in which labour could be employed usefully at this juncture is in the widening of the main highway through South Westland. We referred to this matter the other day as being justified because of the increasing volume of traffic and tho need to give a belter outlet for proluce being transported to the railhead. Since then we notice some of the touring motorists complain of the narrowness of the highway and the difficulty of cars to pass successfully in places. As proof of this it is said several cars were pushed off the road! We did not know the situation was as bad as that —for good drivers—Tut accepting the statement at its face value, there is certainly occasion to carry out extensive widening operations. The Highways Hoard is reputed to have ample funds, and a road if it is a highway should be a highway in fact rather than in name only. Here, then, there is room for profitable employment for workmen, and gangs ol men might he placed where most required. II this urgent work were brought to the notice of the authorities, something could he done to relieve local unemployment, and the roadway at the same time would he made safer for touring motorists. On the principle of safely first, it is as necessary to attend to any had places 011 roads, as it is to dangcious crossings on railway routes, and as accidents have been fairly numerous ol late on the South Road, the principle might well he applied at once in that locality. Altogether it will he possible for the authorities to relieve unemployment here if the works referred to are put in hand.

It is apparent on all sides that feed is very plentiful this year. It is perhaps one of the best seasons tin 1 district has experienced in the matter of growth. Up and down Westland feed is In plenty. It is a general complaint that the growth is greater than can he consumed, and as a consequence feed is becoming rank. It is perhaps all the better that nature is erring in this way, rather than with a drought, but as the growth is so great it woidd be a good thing for the district il more use could he made of the excess ol le f, d by storing it. This would he possible were the farmers to go in for making ensilage. Unfortunately, very little is done in that way, yet it is a branch of practical farming which is of great value both directly and indirectly. At the present with the growth so sustained, there would he a double advantage in reaping the succulent Iced rather than permitting it to grow rank and lose a good deal ol its value. The fresh, young feed which would come in its place would he of special use in the interim, while the feed saved as ensilage would come in for use later. Some farmers have rotational grazing over their paddocks, and in such eases the making of ensilage presents no difficulty. Hoot crops are not always a success here, and quantities are imported, hut there would be less nceii for that expense if time were taken by the forelock and a- stock of ensilage laid in for the winter feed. 'Hie uncertainty about local root crops seems to he a special reason why the making of ensilage, as opportunity oilers, should now he part ol the year’s work on the farm. Ensilage can he kept over a period, and it is iiselul iced at any season of the year. II available it supplies variety to the diet, and m that respect lias special value. Enfti'age is ail excellent fodder and lias good qualities for milk production. The matter is one which should engage more attention among the farmers. Where individuals arc averse to taking up the matter, perhaps two or there might combine, and by working together, secure a value store of good feed for the winter. The matter is one which should commend it self to the dairying districts—where it is so important to winter the stock well and bring them in early in 'lull profit. 'Phis is certainly one ol the matters which should he taken up in a very keen spirit by the dairy farmer.

Messrs’ M. Houston ami Co. notify a stock sale at Kokatahi Yards on Wednesday, January 30th.

There will he a beulit entertainment for the lire Brigade ilcmon.sira Lion funds on the 1-ltli prox. at the Him cess Theatre, when St. Paul’s Dramatic Club will reproduce several pleasing playettcs. Rehearsals are now well forward.

The Westland Acclimatisation Society in tiie effort to suppress illicit shooting and the taking ol game, el-., illegally, now lias a permanent ranger who is -employed to cover the district as a whole in case of breaches of the law.

In connection with the visit of the Corsair Club next Saturday to Hokitika, arrangements are in hand lor a cricket match on Cass .Square that afternoon, between a team ot the vis.tors ami the local Club. Play will start j,n the Square as soon as Hie visitors have lunched at tiie Red Cion Hotel.

Now arriving 200 half eases apricots, peaches, plums, and tomatoes. Ihe instructions from the are to sell at lowest market prices.—Paterson Michel and Co. Ltd., Hokitika. ’.Phone 2.—Advt.

Mr Louis Pain, died suddenly at. Westport on Saturday morning. Born in Grey mouth in 18(58, he had lived practically all bis life in Westport, where ho established a cordial manufacturing business. He was a keen supporter of trotting and boxing, and took a close interest in acclimatisation affairs. He leaves four daughters—Mrs C. Hall (Blaketown), Mrs W. Stirton (Wellington), Misses A. and M. Pain (Westport), and two sons Messrs A. and 11. Pain, of Westport.

Tbe many friends ol Mrs J. Ward, formerly ol Fit/.horbert Street, Hokitika, will regret, to hear of her death which took place at Her daughter’s residence, Wailii, early on Satin day morning. She leaves three daughtcis and three sons to mourn Her loss (Mrs J. Kaye, Westport, Mrs I). Wilson, Wailii, Mrs J. Morgan, Port Chalmers, William, Pacroa, Hubert,, Tauranga. and Thomas, Hokitika). Her husband, the late T. S. Ward, was drowned in Smith Westland <l7 years ago, while her eldest son, Charlie, predeceased her a few years ago. Her age was 84 years.

Tiie detectives investigating the recent burglary at Mr J. U, Hcbden’s premises in Otahuhu, had little difficulty in sheeting home the crime to parties concerned (says the Auckland “Sun”). Included in the haul were some suits, which the thieves donned before taking their departure, discarding their old wearing apparel under the building. Unfortunately for them however, they omitted to remove from their clothing some correspondence hearing their iftilf address. The rest was easy for the police and the thieves were arrested.

He sat on the rocks at Narrow Neck Beach—a tiny kiddy, in a big bathing suit, and a still bigger sun-hat. From the long stick, which he Held, a piece of string dangled in the water. An elderly gentleman, with complete pip-or-ftsliing (outfit including gentles, stopped to ask, “Any luck?” “Not yet replied the hoy. “V hat kind of hooks arc you using?” the man inquired. “Only a pin,” lie as told, and, anxious to see if the comic artist were justified in vaunting tiie superiority oi crude methods, stopped to watch. Suddenly, the hoy exclaimed, “Bite,” and whipped His line into the fir. There was no fish on it. but when tiie onlooker stopped to examine the pin “book” lie found a t,i»y brass safety pin, and that closed J It would need an enterprising pincr to book himself on such a lure—Auckland “Star.”

Tiie flood waters of the Wataroa river last week were very high, and early on Friday morning the river again cut deeply into tiie hank south of Parker Creek, with the result that a temporary road deviation which has been in use for some months was jeopardised. The river was in very High flood . for a time, and the damage threatened to he more extensive than it proved finally to lie. Traffic . was kept open for cars, lorries being delayed for a time. A now deviation intended to form a permanent route further into tiie hill is now being finished, and will lie available for traffic from now on. The steady erosion of the Wataroa river at tiie point named, for several floods past ,however, gives concern, oven for tiie new road, with the recurrence of successive floods. At tiie point of attack tiie hank is very High and the raiding of the river causes the erosion of many tons of earth at every flood.

A parly of l>i{X shooters from Christchurch last week came across wlial they arc satisfied is conclusive evidence as to the depredations made upon trout by shags. They were camped at the mouth of what is known as Narrow Gorge, 'at the headwaters of the Selwyn river, and had seen many shags travelling up the gorge carrying fish. Pigs being scarce the party decided to follow the shags, and alter much hard climbing they came upon the rookery, well up the gorge. Two of the youngei members of the party climbed up and found many nests, some containing Otrtrfc \\ nd others birds in all stages of growth. By the nests they found trout of all sizes, some picked clean to the bone, others partly eaten and several fresh fish just brought in. In places the bones were a foot deep, and the investigators have no doubt that they were all trout bones. The party destroyed all the eggs and young ones and shot all the old birds which made their appearance.

Our Summer Sale commenced on Tuesday, January 15th, genuine reductions in all departments.—Schroder and Co.—Advt.

Saturday was a perfect day, blit during the night the weather changed and light rain fell yesterday alter midday. At night the ram became heavier and this morning was also wet.

“ Shine on Harvest Moon,” “ Got Out and Get Under the Moon,” “Alter Laughter Comes Tears,” and “The Mississippi,” arc among tiie special selections to he given at the Harihnri ball on Wednesday next in aid of the Country Queen, Miss Josie O’Neil.

The Ok si ri to Channel was cut out last week, some eight men with horses being engaged on the work for a couple of days. Tiie heavy sea which prevailed immediately after detracted from tiie effect of tiie succeeding scow, but it is lioped with a falling sea the entrance to the port will improve.

Work at tiie Groves Swamp flaxmilling area, adjacent to the Hokitika river, is likely to begin shortly, the settlement of the business part of the transfer of the property being completed. This proposition is a considerable one. and will employ a good few hands when operations are finally in progress.

Ili connection with the Carnival Queen Competition, grand balls will be ■ held at Arahura Valley Hall on Friday next, January 18th, and at Kanieri Public Hall on Wednesday, January 23rd, in aid of the Country Queen, Miss Josie O’Neil. Music by the Southern Cross Jazz Band, with all the latest iazz bits.

A million and a half superficial feet of timber was unloaded on Tuesday from the Golden Harvest, which arrived at Wellington from San Francisco on Sunday. The timber is mostly Canadian, which was consigned under local contract. Such importations of timber through Wellington are made, it is stated, at the rate of about two a' month, and is being imported on this large scale because of its cheapness.

Mr 11. T. Stewart, of the Five Mile Gold Dredging Company, arrived on Saturday and proceeded yesterday to the Saltwater Boaph below the Little Wanganui river, where a party of workmen will recover some machinery and plant available there. Mr Stewart proceeds afterwards to Okarito, where arrangements in connection with golddredging operations will be put in hand;