CASUAL COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1937, Page 2

CASUAL COMMENT

AND SOME OBSERVATIONS. (By Observer). The Romans of old had a saying, which translated, signified “Whither Wending.” An ancient Greek in one of his orations, a«sked the question of the world: “Why formed at all, and wherefore, as thou art?” So life seems to have been always full of interrogations. The sum of human knowledge leaves many questions unanswered from time immemorial. And the vagaries of human nature are as perverse as ever, since the writer declared this was “a mad world.” Looking round today, it cannot be said it is a sane world, for never was it so unsettled or at such cross purposes. The rivalries of nations, races and creeds keep the pot boiling, and bring to the surface the worst in civilisation—which statement in itself is a negation of out boasted civilisation. Responsible statesmen in Britain, though speaking in guarded terms, indicate the serious condition of foreign affairs and what the rivalries portend. Diplomacy nowadays, appears to bo a patchwork game, endeavouring to repair here anu there threatened rents, or to defer to a more convenient season, some of the complex problems of to-day. Now and again over the air you hear an arresting lecture on an every day subject. Apropos the world at large, a speaker a week ago was at pains to tell his unseen audience how much we, owed to the idealists —the poets, the spinners of fairy tales, and the ancient writers who moulded our literature. . Actually it is the fairy story' that is chiefly’ installed in our literature through the ages, but it is a fairy .story with a good moral. Cinderellla, the Big Bad Wolf, and

other lighter plots were discussed to support the assertion that the good that was in us, was ingrained by the. fairy stories of our early days which remained something more than a memory throughout life. This may be so generally, but there are many who must not have been nurtured on good fairy tales judging by their actions at this time. Yet some of our European examples comes from almost the- home of fairy tales fathered by Grimm, Hans Anderson and other classic writers of the useful period in literature.

The course of events listening in to writers and lecturers suggest the difficulty in making this a better world. We have allowed our scientists and investors to move too far, and certainly too fast. We have at hand now instruments to annihilate space and time, and in this rivalling nature we have issued a challenge which may be unequal of fulfillment. What we do with electricity now, is of course marvellous, but we cannot explain just what we have done to the omnipotent power, nor can we control or guage its force in any wfiy. Yet all round the world nations are busy harnessing power, and sending it out on intended goodwill operations But is the power created now becoming so great that it may tend to destroy in the end ?' The advance of science in

other directions is upsetting the main balance of nature, and in the evolutionary process great changes have occurred and others are foreshadowed. Thus it is that the- age old question of the Romans, “whither wending” is still the unanswered problem of to-day. The “homing” instincts of exCoasters have been marked of late, several former early residents turning up and renewing old associations. A daughter of Mr Ben Osborne, who was one of the early licensees of the Empire hotel, then the leading house of the district, made a call and expressed her delight at being back in the old town after many years. Ben Osborne was a noble figure in Revell Street, like Bob Walker, W. G. Keller, H. J. Hansen and others, who played a part in laying the town’s foundations. Mr Osborne was interested in sport, and was one of the . moving spirits in establishing the rgoing club here, the first committee meetings being held in

the Empire hotel. Then Fred Etheridge made a call. His father will bo remembered by a- few as an officer of the Survey Department in Fitzherbert Street. As the right-hand man or the First Westland Rifles he was a notable figure on • parade. A genial soul, lie liked his joke and practised them, and was excellent c,omp|anv. Next Miss Pengelly, whose father was

one of our local poets, and a jolly host for surprise parties at the corner of Hampden and Fitzherhort Streets; was here also. Heigh ho, how memories are recalled.

Jn those old days' Hokitika kept more in the fashion as regards dress. It was not surprising to see many of the loading citizens in top hats. Sundays and holidays found the stove pip«j hat in very general use. Many pictures or photographs of early scenes reveal a. percentage of the citizens going about their lawful occasions wearing a bell-topper. Hokitika as it was, was some town. The cosmopolitan l>o])ulatiou drawn here in the rush days, then the great centre and point for arrival and departure of oversea mail boats (before the days of the . cable) placed Hokitika on a special pedestal, and the population lived up to their reputation. The pity was that those brave days of old petered out so soon, yet the result has shown that only the surface has been scratched, and the wealth of Westland in its scenic features and natural resources were ignored. Gold was the •magnet of the times, and when it lost its potency, the exodus began.

Our placid Prime Minister Mho has been sticking to his desk vith such persistency is on a preliminary jaunt, previous tp his more extended holiday next month. Naturally Mr Savage had a bumper reception publicly yesterday in Christchurch, and the

cordial •welcome given must have cheered him greatly'. Ministers are keeping well on the wing, and attending to their departmental business with marked thoroughness. That policy should. ensure more intimate administration of the country’s allairs. Now that Ministers are more familiar with the out of the way parts of the Dominion, the general despatch of business affecting the country should be improved, and the work of Parliament helped more. The next session is to be very important in itself, and the work to be brought forward will attract world interest. The travel experience Ministers are taking, and it is to h'e hoped enjoying, should equip them the better to discharge the important duties of office.

The northern air service about to hi* inaugurated wipes out that sense oi isolation and remoteness the Coast has laboured under for so many years. A [ visit to Nelson has been a trip of some. | difficulty by the regular means of transport, hut from Tuesday next, if ■ the air travel facilities are availed 01, the conditions will he changed entirety. 1 The Neisnn-Hokitika trip will take less than two hours, and enable travellers to go on to Wellington alter lunch, 'ad arrive in time for a Hereon tea. Those who can recall the passenger boat days will be able to anpreejate the changes which have come to pass. I Invention and progress continue to I make their wav. and there are ah'-avs I those rea'dy to help progress by inciting Ito further advancement with the new I rurpneios coming to hand. The great ' strides made in living, and 11"* I morcial success of if in New Zealand, ! nr e a tribute to the pcorfie w*'o recognise the advantages. With this •'<*- I ward to rwom'oss broil "lit to <mr doors, | the district should derive many advantages. ,