E. CHOLERTON

Grey River Argus, 27 February 1928, Page 4

E. CHOLERTON

M.P.0.0., M.V.0.A., etc. OPTICAL BPEOIALTBT. Of Wellington »nd Nelson. Will next be visiting Greymouth during APRIL. Appointments can now be made with Mr Bennington, confectioner, Tainui Street, or Mr Butcher, Mawhcra Quay new country is denoted by the lifetime of its pioneers. Thtil milestone is what the Jubilee stands for here. The first half of the period commemorated was the goldfield era, and the second has been marked by the rise of more .enduring industries, such as those of coal, timber and pastoral production, which all have received a great impetus by the opening of a new means of transportation across the ranges. The men and women who came to open up the Coast were mostly identified with the quest for gold, and it was only their adaptability that enabled them to transfer their energy to the newer pursuits, which, however, have been developed mainly by their descendants. Before the end of another decade almost every survivor of the pioneering period will be a West Coaster born. Already there are those who, upon returning, hud a distinct change from the free and easy ways of that period, and note the effect of closer contact with the provinces outside, but one and all are glad to unite on this occasion in order to recall the old spirit and. as far as may be, to perpetuate it, more especially the habit of hospitality. Much as there may be to reform and remove, in order to promote the general weal, none 'would like to see the good old customs of sociability vanish, in the coming of Ih. new order. In many respects the [task of adapting the district, to lhe new needs and opportunities is more difficult than it has been in other districts with fewer natural obstacles to be overcome, bur, be the spirit of the occasion as redolent of old times as it may, the eyes of the native West Coast - ers now jubilating are directed to the future no less than to tin- past. They have the advantage of (he teaching of experience and the example of their forbeai;s Io demonstrale the great potentialities of their district, and it is with confidence in their realisation that the occasion is being commemorated. As was well said yesterday by one pioneer, the gold miners did more than any other class to lay the foundations of the Dominion, when they found on the spot the very needful capital which stood to the Government ami to traders and producers in other provinces. There remains still vast natural capital, equal to no less a service for the Dominion. Upon a progressive civic spirit and a talent for eo-opcration much depends, for public enterprise, no less than private enter prise, is necessary to achieve success, but the most important thingis tin' material to work upon, ami this there is in abundance. Much as the pioneers did to make life easier for their successors, their best legacy must remain their example of enterprise, and optimism, which seldom let them down in the long run, even if one claim after another proved a, dnffer. As the Prime Minister yesterday observed, the pioneers’ most solid work was often silently done, and, whil • it is admirable to see a communit gel together in the interest of the common welfare, the pluck and steadfastness of the individual in his own calling are things that really make for progress after all Certainly it is a jusl observation that when unity of effort is attainable in the matter of the Jubilee, it should be equally attainable in other more prosaic and less spectacular measures for the public weal. There is no other part of New Zealand which has a greate” hold on those associated for any time with it than this district, and the presence of the Prime Minister, and numerous other public men of eminence, goes to show the esteem in which the Grey is held elsewhere. One thing stands out to-day. we believe, as s it has undoubtedly done, in times past, and that, is the strong and virile democratic spirit of our community. New Zealand owes something for this to the West Coast. It is certainly not the

least of what the pioneers have bequeathed. In this respect, we are prone to think greater eon I act with the rest of the Dominion will spread our leaven. If we maintain that tradition, we shall retain something' which will render the district .distinctive for all time. The newcomers shall teach us much, but the Grey district will have little to fear if its next Jubilee finds it as faithful to its traditions as that which is now being celebrated under such promising auspices.