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Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1931, Page 4

There were some items in last evening’s news, which sugge.4 that after all there may be a silver lining if we only had the right perspective to view

it. Mr G. C. Creagli of the Auckland Stock Exchange gave the world the news that “there were signs that the depression was lifting,” while in another c-olumn there was the pleasing news that champagne was now eighteen pence a bottle in Paris! Who gays the cost of living is not coming down, when the same bottle hitherto costone pound here ! Even Sydney, despite the serious import of the- elections on Saturday, contributed 14,000 people to the tin hare racing, there to lift the downhearted bookmakers out of the depression! No wonder New South Wales voted for the Lang Plan—tin hare racing is part of it I But all ttie good things are not happening abroad. Last night for instance, Hokitika and his wife and family, to say nothing of Mr and Mi's Westland, and all tne little Westlanders. rolled up at :the circus' and Wirth’s great combination had a Lumper house. Truly we are not taking the depression sadly. And after all “after we tighten out belts.” as the Aucklander above advises, it is just as well ‘‘to face the facts in a happy mood,”

Patersons will' be open all day Wednesday. Shop early and avoid the Xmas Eve.rush.

Patrons are notified that cream may now be purchased as usual in any quantity at the Westland Dairy Factory.—Advt.

Furnishings at reduced prices for Xmas. Tapestery runner 4/9 and 6/6. door slips 1/11 to 7/6; Axminister rugs 17/6; tapestry rugs 6/11; kapoe mattresses, single bed "25/- ; double bed 39/6; pillows 2/9 each.—At Frank fade’s.

The current issue of the New Zealand “Gazette” contains notice of the posting of Jack Bertram Benton, as Pilot-Officer, to No 4 (Army Co-opera-tion) Squadron of the New Zealand Air Force.

The offices of solicitors will be closed for the Christmas vacation from the evening of Wednesday the 23rd December until the morning of ’Monday the 11th day of' January.—-Advt.

The death took place at Westland Hospital last night of Emily Louisa, the eight year old daughter of Mr arid Mrs \V. McKenzie or Kumara. The child had been ailing for some time. The funeral takes place to-morrow morning to Kumarn cemetery.

The annual ball of the Kanieri Tennis Club will be held in the Kanieri Hall cm Monday evening, Decembei 28th. The music will be supplied by the Gaiety Dance Band. Good supper provided. The price of admission will be men 3/*, and ladies 2/-.

Laid by a fawn duck on Mr A. P. Hathaway's farm at Te Kapua, Mangqweka, last week, an egg interested tbe authorities of the Dominion Museum when it was shown to them. The shell of the egg Ms a deep blackish brown in colour. Dr J. R. Olliver, director of the museum has a specimen which is marked with deep green bands.

For the convenience of their customers the. drapers of Hokitika have decided to keep their premises open'' all day to-morrow and will observe the 30th December, Wednesday, as a whole holiday. An advertisement in this issue advises the lull list of holidays that will be observed by the drapers over the festive season. i

As a result of a fall of earth, Mr John Yates, a married man, of Richmond Street-, Cobden, sustained a broken leg, whilst working on the deviation of the school creek at Cobdin yesterday morning. After receiving attention from Dr H. S, Ray, the sufferer was admitted to the Grey Hospital.

Alliough the custom of letting off fireworks on Christmas and New Year's Eves is waning, principally through the enforcement of stringent regulations governing the sale of fireworks, the danger accruing from in-discriminately-thrown crackers still remains. The public are therefore warned against this practice, and defaulters will receive the attention of the police,

During the last- few days shopkeepers in Hokitika have been experiencing a comparatively busy time, as a result of the time honoured custom or giving presents at this season of the y t ar. With few exceptions, shopkeepers have extended themselves in the decoration of their windows, and on the display of .goods and it is to be expected the “rush shopping” which has now set in will continue right up till Christmas, the peak being reached on Thursday.

The necessity for care when using sodium chlorate lor destroying weeds is emphasised by the painful experience which befel a vuung man, Mr Bert Gasson, at Oropi, near Tauranga, last week. He was engaged during the day in spraying weeks on his father's Girin with sodium chlorate, and at milking time was attending to a fire for hearing water when his clothes suddenly caught fire as a result oi the spraying material upon them. He threw himself under a water tap and escaped with a badly-burned leg.

An advertisement appears in this issue informing dance enthusiasts of the forthcoming tour of Fred Smith’s popular dance orchestra who are commencing the 6th annual West Coast tour on Boxing Night. They are holding a grand gala dance in the Soldiers’ Hall on that evening. Continuous music from 8.30. On Monday a long night is being held from 8.30 p.m. to 2 a.m. All the latest hits are being played including “Walkin’ my Baby Back Home.” “Faithfully Yours”, “Roll on Mississippi, Roll On,” “Blue is the Night,” “Then You’ll Remember Vienna.” Tn all there are about 50 new numbers to be played. Popular prices are being charged and arrangements have been made for ice creams and soft drinks to be supplied. The amount of business transacted through the Hokitika Post Office invariably reaches record dimensions at this time of the year, and the employees are experiencing no exception this year. The amount of mails, telegrams and parcels that- are being sent through the office this year is as great as on former occasions and the attendants receive little respite during the day. The Post Office, yesterday afternoon and this afternoon especially presented an animated appearance people standing several deep in front of the counter. The time occupied in waiting has been reduced to a minimum for the staff are coping with the increased business in an. expeditious manner.