The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1931. LONG SERVICE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1931. LONG SERVICE.

The recent annual- meeting of the Hokitika Uas Company Ltd. would serve to i bring home to local readers something of the Jong service of thjs utility institution. The report presented lo the annual meeting cover'd the fifty-seventh year, and the Company is now well on towards its diamond jubilee year. Tim continuviou of the Company over nearly six decades means very lengthy, and of course useful service. The consumers of gas are not disposed to burn it lor amusement sake, s o that it can be inferred vei-y certainly that the period of use represents very practical service jni deed to the community. At present in this period of depression, the Company took time by the forelock and made a reduction in price which is no doubt welcomed by gas users, a, s it is noted tile consumption has increased. But this is not the first occasion on which depression lias been encountered. Upwards of fifty years ago the town, owing to the then declining mining days, passed through a difficult period. We believe it is on record that in those days the sale of gas was less than a quarter of the annual total jt is now, so that it may be assumed the Company will emerge from the present period in quite good ordpr, In those other days, salaries and wages were very low, and it is satisfactory to find that at present jt has not been found necessary to make any special ‘cut” in wages, Economics are being practised, wo understand, in other directions, with the result, that the Company proceeds on the even, tenor of its way without the suggestion of any. business dislocation. This is an assurance that the useful service the Company supplies will continue to be available ns heretofore, to the mutual advantage of the shareholders and the consumers. One very interesting fact in connection with the Company was brought out at the annual meeting. That was in respect to the directors, all of whom have ,served over many years. Tho retiring director. Mr Williams, who was unanimously re-elected, has served for a period of no les s than 28 years. Mr Williams has seen the Company pass through many phases, and he finds it to-day in a very healthy condition. The experience of the directors who have been in close touch with tho operations of the Company for many years, must he ft. material factor in assisting towards the continued prosperity of the organisation and the efficient service it i s giving the community. On Wednesday also another eaise of long: service to the community was mentioned in respect to the County Clerk who had presided for the past 41 years at the annual meeting of the Westland County Coucil. Mr Evans presided on the first occasion in 1891. when the late John McAVhirter was elected Chairman for the second time in succession. That was the only occasion on which a Chairman, of the Council had been elected twice in succession, the invariable rule being that the office should be a rolling one. The proceedings of the Council this week revealed the Council in a pleasing position for the benefit of the ratepayers. For the four decades of Mr Evans’ office no doubt there have been many less favourable times, but the Council has come through the ordeal without mischance, and conrir ues it« useful duties for the leu-fit of the community. The County Council deals with the a'ffairjs of the country districts but centred in the town, it is no less something of a local institution. Jt- has been very gratifying always to find the local bodies oi the district working amicably togethei for the good of the coinimmiu.y an a whole. Time and again reference has been made to the fact that the public are being well served hv the public bodies, the record of which lias stood high always.' A body of painstaking representatives occupy tnn cents, and all anpear to work hard for the benefit of th P place. In connection with a local body such as the County Council there are responsible duties to discharge, and large sums to handle for the benefit of the district. This work is done very capablv as results have proved, and it will be pleasing to see that fine record

maintained into the future by the local body and its responsible officers.