The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1930. ABOUT THE JOY GERM.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1930. ABOUT THE JOY GERM.

Speaking at Wellington the other day, Air \\ ill Appleton, a well-known figure in the Dominion business world,...spoke apropos a bus.ness man’s endeavour tu ‘'stem the tide of pessimism by starting a Lood Morning Club,” in order ‘To be thankful for New Zealand’s freedom from the severe distresses of other countries.” That was quite a right note to strike, for there are still pessimists about who refuse to look upon the bright side. Ihe crest of this new club is “The Joy Germ;” and its motto is: “Let’s go through life smiling.” Tuesday was a dour, heavy day, our readers will recall, and the dull atmosphere seemed to pervade the County Council meeting where members grappled earnesly if somberly with the problems before them. The cheerful optimism of the, Chairman failed to pierce thq dark clouds hanging before some of the members, who refused to see any silver lining in a credit balance, but who could only picture a possible catastrophe whereby the revenue of the Council might be ■ cut in twain, or some dire financial calamity overtake the local body. By* way of contrast there was one clear moment when the Council agreed to procure a light truck for distant road repair works. This step is to be commended, and is in keeping with the policy throughout the Dominion dealing with public works, to maintain a sufficient mechanical plant to carry out 1 works promptly and efficiently. Road maintenance, nowadays, calls fo'r almost constant attention The wear and tear are such that roads must not be allowed to deteriorate, or the cost mounts up. Certain kinds of material only are suitable for repair work, and in most instances it has to be hauled sonic distance, and in such cases the horse and uray is not economical. The class of traffic now established calls for a certain standard of road, and the liberal use of road machinery is the best method of; coping with the problem. When the members of the Highway Board were here lately, they tendered that advice to the Borough Council deputation, and that good advice must needs be acted up to if any local body is to do its best for tile users of the roads. Tn the course of a later discussion regarding salaries ite had the worst example yet. bf pessimism in our midst. One of the, speakers was very definite in. his statements about the district being stagnant, and in that category he included South Westland. It seems hard to believe the gentleman even though he has special means at nis disposed for gauging the business pulse. We are certainly disposed to differ from him, for knowing Wes stun r* in general and the southern district in particular, over many decades, we are persuaded that the district as a whole is progressing materially. The good things of this life are being stored up by the settlers. The other day, figures were quoted of the Savings Bank business. In every instance the past year showed an increase of savings. We have it on reliable authority that the public banks hold large sums of money on fixed deposit, and that* for its size as a centre, Hokitika stands high in the Dominion banking returns. The speaker stated that the farms changing hands of late were those which were counting only for land aggregation. Precisely, the resident settlers had done well, and were ready and willing to buy out their neighbours to make their own holdings more substantial, or what is better, provide for their growing families. No territory in New Zealand for its size has the same wealth as South Westland in its forest values and scenic . glories. Immense wealth is bound up in those two factors, and as the land is cleared and brought into profit, pastoral pursuits are destined to give back great results. Its climate is akin to that of ( Taranaki, and for less capital cost in treatment, it can produce a greater return to the settler. Taking the average value at £2O, as against £IOO in Taranaki, we see how much better off the settler in South Westland will be. It is only recently the motor has brought the means of readier communication to the south, were it served with a railway, what an industrial district it would he, with milling, and how much better the settlers would he off in having direct connection with the markets of the East Coast I That day of transformation is to come. To speculate upon the possibilities and to hope to realise the benefit of it all, should bring the joy germ to the minds of all concerned, and in particular to the members of the Westland County Council fo? - so much of the asset value of the future affecting their general revenue is to come from South 'Westland developments.