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Hokitika Guardian, 26 September 1929, Page 4

A clergyman at Hamilton, Rev. H. G. Gilbert, is receiving a good deal of cheap publicity for his references in a sermon on Sunday last to the West Coast. Mr Gilbert has been on an evangelistic mission to the Coast. in connection with the Presbyterian Church and had visited Blackball, Denniston, and other coal mining centres. From what he' had seen and heard, he formed opinions which ho vented nt his recent service, Although he began by remarking that his statements were speciiic to some localities only, he appears to have wound up with a general or sweeping statement referring to the Coast as a whole. His figures of speech naturally carried him well on the way to gross exaggeration, and it is not surprising he has been taken up sharply in several quarters. Messrs Holland and O’Brien, Parliamentary representatives, promptly jumped into the breach to defend the name of the Coast as a whole. So also did sections of the press, and likewise some of the clergy who are familiar with general Coast conditions. The statements made by Mr Gilbert are certainly unfair to the people of the Coast, for even where there maybe some suggestion for comment, the reverend gentleman spoils the effect bv what is nothing short of gross exaggeration. Communism does exist on the Coast as elsewhere in New Zealand and those who believe in it assert themselves according to their tenets, but the Communist is not a factor in the general life of any Coast community, and if Mr Gilbert has anything to say against such folk it would be better, pursuing his mission in life, were he to stay among them and endeavour to convert them to a better way of thinking. To shun his duty and then revile them from afar off is not consistent with the service Mr Gilbert should be engaged on. Apart from what there may he said about communistic ideals and their profession' publicly or otherwise, Mr Gilbert is drawing a very lurid picture, and certainly deserves the verbal castigation lie is receiving. The alleged defiance of the law and the impotency of the police are quite wide of the /mark. Ihe police do attend to their duty and check excesses along right lines. As to Sunday entertainments, those prevail everywhere, including Hamilton. ICvery centre now has its method of Sunday entertainment. In the coal mining districts there is a disposition [ towards pictures, perhaps because j there is not the vocal and instrumental • I talent which provides the Sundayl entertainments in larger centres, but the object and purpose is the same in 1 greater and lesser places. So with i sport, golf or tennis is not possible in 1 all places, and more robust games are t played—but they are games just the t same and are played as a pleasurable 1 pastime. It seems to be the moto and i the beam over again with Mr Gilbert, c The reverend gentleman is going to re- f ceive considerable notoriety from liis s utterances and doubtless on the whole j v more condemnation than praise for his, 'I action. 1°

l The usual Plunket visit will take r place to-morrow (Friday). Messages i requiring attention should be left with -Mrs G. Perry, Hall Street. Word was received to-day that Miss Mary Bald secured a first place in the • Scotch song, own selection, at the Dunedin Competitions, the points gained being 89. ' I l Notice to students for examinations under the University of New Zealand appears in this issue. Applications must be received not later than October Ist. by the Registrar, E. T. Norris, Wellington. All those interested are reminded of the public meeting at the County Chambers at 2 o’clock to-monow afternoon to discuss matters regarding a Westland Bay at the next Canterbury Winter Show. The meeting has been called in the day-time for the convenience of country representatives. It is notified in this issue that fishing licenses for the season opening | next Tuesday, are now obtainable un--1 der the authority of the Westland Acclimatisation Society, and may be procured, price £1 at Mr Armstrong’s store, Re veil Street, or at the CountyOffice, Fitzherbert Street. The license fee covers membership of the Society for the year. Arrangements are now in hand for holding the Competitions Social at the Soldiers’ Hall next Thursday, the 3rd [ October. This will be tfie wind-up to j the late festival, and the proceedings 1 will include the presentation of prizes and trophies. All the competitors will be entertained by the • Competition Society, . It is expected that in due course Hokitika will be brought into line,with other centres and the talkies introduc-. 1 ed as a permanent means of entertainj ment. It is expected that the talkies ' will be operating in Greymouth about j the middle of next month. Later they j are to be introduced at Hokitika, . Everybody’s establishing the necessary i plant in 'Princess Theatre. I The local theatre-goers will have the final opportunity to-night of seeing: the three-act comic opera, “ Rip Van, Winkle,” by the local amateurs. The production has proved a genuine success from every point of view and a.ll are to be praised for the distinctive credit gained. Every detail has had special attention, and chorus, orchestra, principals, and all workers seen and unseen, are to be congratulated. To-night’s entertainment will be a special benefit 'for , the Fire Brigade, and a bumper house should result. Wanted—Regular weekly customers for “Auckland Weekly,” “Sporting and Dramatic,” “Free Lance,” N.Z. J “Truth,” “N.Z. Referee.” Daily customers ,fo.r Christchurch “Sun.”—J. Toohey, Bookseller and Stationer, Rej veil St. —Advt. | A conference of West Coast-Nelson l County , Clerks is , being arranged for. It will be held at Murchison on the 19th October. The principal business | will cover consideration of the draft of 1 a bill for Parliament covering proposI ed legislation in connection with the I New Zealand Institute of County Clerks lately formed. The legislation is intended to give the Institute corporate standing in the Dominion. Most of the officers within the area have signified their intention of attending the conference, the first of its kind yet held. The fire which yesterday morning destroyed the Rapahoe Hotel has occasioned a serious loss both to the owner of the building, Mr R. Poschich, and the licensee, Mr J. T. Doyle. The hotel comprised sixteen rooms and the insurance on the building was £IBOO. To replace the hotel with a .structure of the same dimensions, will entail an. outlay of m bout £2-CO3. It is the intention of Mr Poschich to rebuild. On the stock Mr Doyle had an insurance of £4OO, a-n'd he will also be a considerable loser. ; ... While the new goods train service east and west is proving a great success for transport purposes, the change as at present operating has disorganised the mail services rather badly. The Westland Chamber of Commerce has asked the Postmaster to look into the matter with a view to bringing, back the daily service if possihle N 'lt is thought if the East Coast ip? t il were ' despatched by an earlier goods train ! than at present, on certain days the necessary connecripn, could be made at j

Greymouth which would enable the mnil to come through to Hokitika each evening as heretofore. The marriage was solemnised yesterday afternoon at the residence of Captain Ross, Cowper Street, of Mr Albert William Kitchingham, of Christchurch (formerly of Greymouth), eldest son of Mr and Mrs T. G. Kitchingham (Boddytown), and Miss Gladys Sloane, youngest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr J. R. (Sloane, of Auckland. The Rev. T. N.’ Cuttle officiated. The bride was attired in a frock of pink georgette, trimmed with gold, with hat to tone,, and gold shoes and stockings. The bridesmaid, Miss Florence Williams, of Westport, wore a mauve satin frock trimmed with silver, with silver gray felt hat, silver shoes, and stockings to match. Both carried beautiful bouquets. Prior to her marriage, Miss Sloane Was met by member's of the staff of 0. Smith Ltd., with whom she was associated for some considerable time, and was presented with a dainty afternoon tea service and crystal bowl.