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Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1929, Page 4

Fito.M all accounts the efforts made locally have merited a great deal of success. This is pleasing to learn. It is not any less pleasing to know that the Association had an excellent Conference, and the Demonstration concluding to-day promises to ho equally suecessfu’. This is the jubilee year of the- Association, and it was graced with a record attendance and a splendid array of competitors. Incidentally praise should bo meted out to the members individually. They are a fine body ofmch, ready to respond to discipline, and in all tlieir work showing a keen desire for duty and a wish to excel. Such a visit as the present was not by any means all holiday for the visitors. Tlie competing teams have been practising steadily, and in the Demonstration have had to perform strenuous duties with celerity. The officers have not been omitted from tlieir share of the work, and the judges and other officials have had tlieir part cut out. .n an organisation of this kind, with the units scattered over the Dominion, a great deal of detail and responsibility must fall on the Executive. It would appear with the smoothness under which matters pun-ceded that the detail work is in. very capable hands, and nothing is being neglected. Another aspect of the administration is the cheerful manner in which tlie officers go about tlieir duties, and the cordial feeling subsisting on all sides. This is evidence that the machine is running sweetly, and indicates that the officials are performing tlieir duties admirably. This is a matter of no small importance, and incidentally it justifies what the country is doing both directly and indirectly to further the work of the New Zealand Fire Brigades. The Government lends its aid. The insurance companies and ratepayers contribute substantial quotas. It is well to know that tlie finance is being well handled and usefully applied The Brigades are indicating their proficiency in test worl but the public of each homo town can best appreciate the Brigades’ operations under service conditions when facing the fearful odds of a conflagration Yet. the training and smartness developed in these competitions must be an all-round contribution to the capability of the Brigades participating Knowledge and experience' are gained under critical eyes, or information and methods are gleaned from the work of other competitors. Tn other words, one Brigade by its showing assists to help another. So we must conclude the Association, and its work is all for the host of the institutions served. They profit greatly and the advantage in the end is turned over to the public whom the Brigades in action serve so readily and unse'fish!v. 'l'lie country and the people can well nflord to encourage and support Lite Association and its members to continue to emulate in the task of fire lighting for the greater safety and security of New Zealand.

The entries for the fat stock sales at Aralnira on Monday appear in thi3 issue.

A notice in the estate of Fredericka (’. H. Thomas of Ross, widow the l’ublic Trustee apopars in this issue.

The first Mass in St. Mary’s Parish on Sunday, March 3rd. will be 8 a.m. aim not at 7 a.m. as erroneously stated yesterday.

The Dorothy will run on Sunday next March 3rd. .it 10.3.), .12.30 and 2.30 p.m. at Lake Kanieri. Fares 2s turn.—Advt.

Tlie Ross Flower Show will he held in the Totara Hall, Ross, on Saturday, 9th March, programme on fipplicatiou from the secretaries.

The National Mortgage win sell at Aralnira on Monday breeding ewes, lambs and wethers, and at Totara Hat on Wednesday, cattle and wethers.

Newmans Motors Ltd notify a special one day trip to Waiho Glacier, leaving to-morrow (Sunday) at 0 o’clock and returning at night.

Just received—A consignment of 100 ases of pearmain and delicious apples; also tomatoes, greengages; plums etc., with instructions to sell at lowest marget prices.—Paterson ‘Michel and Ltd. (Phone No. 2). —Advt.

In view of the arrival of the naviu party from the H.M.S. , Dunedin next week Mr Furness’s boxing class of boys will be ill full practice every evening and members nre requested to attend regularly.—Advt.

About fifty of the. visiting firemen and several of the ladies left by the morning express en route for their homes. All expressed, very hearty appreciation of the kindnesses extended them during their visit.

Advice has been received that the Haast Pass track has been opened again after the recent storm damage, and the deer stalking parties are now going in. There will he about thirtyrifles in the Upper Haast region tliis year.

The Hokitika Beautifying Society will hold its annual gala on Monday, March 18th. which will be' a public holiday to mark the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day. On ljotli the afternoon and evening there will be functions to raise funds for the further improvement of Cass Square, and other objectives, details of which, with the programme, will be published ndxt week.

The sun will enter the zodiacal sign Aries on March 21st, when the equinox .occurs; the distance of the earth .from the sun >vill then he about miles. The planet Mercury rises «!P

March Ist at 3.51. a.m., and on March loth at 3.46 a.m.; Venus sets on these dates at 8.31 p.m. and 7.17 pjn. respectively. Mars sets on. Marcn Ist at 0.13 a.m., and on March loth at 10.47 p.m.; Jupiter sets on these dates at 9.24 p.m. and 8.6 p.m respectively, and Saturn rises at 0.20 a.m. and 10.58 p.in. respectively.

The functions in connection witli the visiting Freinen are ending to-day, and the hulk of the visitors will depart by special train on Monday. Some of the number have been visiting the Glneilfc? in South Westland, and greatly enjoyed the trip. The Competitions will conclude r.n Cass Square this! afternoon, and will draw a. large attendance for the finals. To-night at 7.46, the prizes will he presented on Cass Square, w..ere valedictory speeches will be given. At 9 o’clock, a. free dance for all Firemen in uniform and ladiess will begin at the Soldiors’ Hal!, to conclude at 11.30 with a musical farewell as a happy wind-up to the proceedings. The attendance will be large, and a jolly time should be he’d to mark the closing scene of the-1929 Jubilee Demonstration. The death took place this, morning at Westland Hospital of .wlf-diM and.' higliy respected resident. of the district in the person of Thomas Sherrill Herd. Deceased was a native, of land. Devonshire,, was 86 years m age, r and leaves a family of two .daughters (Mrs IV. (Saylor of Hokitika,.and Mrs Mulligan, of CrushingtonT, and five grand-children.; His wife predeceased him 12 years ago. Deceased was for many years a water race manager and of later years followed the occupation of a miner. He was well known in the Riinu and Woodstock district. He was for three years a member of tho London Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Many friends will hear with regret of the passing of one of those hardy pioneers, and extend to the licreavei family the deepest sympathy in sad loss. The funeral takes place Monday afternoon.