Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21st., 1934. CELEBRATIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21st., 1934. CELEBRATIONS.

having carried through the more ambitious part of the Centenary celebrations, is now reflecting on the bills that have to be met. From the beginning, the programme was designed on a lavish scale, and it never seemed likely to outsiders, that the revenue would cover the expenditure. Comparatively few of such celebrations pay their way, unless the circumstances are propitious, and they were not so for Melbourne. To add to the difficulties of the promoters, sonic of the worst

weather on record came at the time

when sunshine was essential, if success were to be won, and visitors tempted to prolong their stay. As a consequence of the climatic vagaries, the tourists came, saw and soon departed, leaving behind

them less money than was expected.

Hotel-keepers were particularly disappointed, and many shop-keep-ers who had laid in abnormal stocks, or had gone to expense to brighten and improve their. premises, did not gather the harvest hoped for, and many will be hard hit, if not ruined, by the very festival from which they hoped to gain prosperity. Speculators in various directions have also been left lamenting, and from the financial viewpoint, the Centenary will not leave pleasant memories. These monetary losses do not mean that the commemoration was not worth while. Ample justification may be Found in most other avenues. Victoria has received a valuable advertisement. State patriotism has been re-invigorated by the

memories of the past, public spirit has received an uplift, overdue civic improvements are among the assets obtained, and those who wish to be optimistic may find plenty of material. The happier memories of the Centenary happenings will bo recalled and discussed long after the losses have been forgotten, and in any case, Melbourne would have had cause to be ashamed of itself if it had not celebrated the occasion on worthy linos.

A commemoration nearer homo, namely, the 70th anniversary of the founding of Hokitika, is to be joyously celebrated next week, and it is to be hoped that complete suc-

cess will be Avon. Hokitika, to-day, may not have reached the stage of development predicted in earlier

f (lays by its well-wishers, but it lias now bright prospects of recovering some of its lost glories. It can give lessons to some other towns, notably in the way its public men co-operate for the community.good. Whilst that spirit is maintained, Hokitika, need have no serious misgivings about the future. The

story of the gold-mining days is familiar, but never loses its charm, and, to-day, when another “boom” is developing, the experiences of Ihe 60’s and 70’s have especial value. Hokitika showed commendable enterprise where aviation is concerned, and has made a start to cater for the new industry. The development of South Westland timber, mining and farming areas should help Hokitika to “keep on the map,” and there will be cause for the optimism that will doubtless be a feature of next week’s speeches and predictions,