The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1934. MR ELL AND HIS WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20342, 27 June 1934, Page 6

The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 1934. MR ELL AND HIS WORK.

A LIFE WORK unique in its character and in its value to the people of Canterbury is ended to-day with the death of Mr H. G. Ell, but it would be a poor tribute to tlie resolution of this undefeatable man to suggest that his work has fallen short of his most ambitious dreams. Nearly half a century ago Mr Ell, with rare foresight and vision, lifted up his eyes to the hills, and saw in them a source of inspiration and recreation for the people of the province, if only they could he opened up for easy access from the city. He came on the scene not a moment too soon, for public rights were being alienated and threatened in the closing of roads and in other ways that made action imperative if these hills were not to remain mere inaccessible sheep runs. It was fortunate, indeed, for the people that a champion of their liberties possessing the dogged fanaticism of Mr Ell had seen the vision, for the whole of his life was devoted from that time to the opening up of the hills, first by foot tracks and then by motor roads. And finally came the development of road houses, beginning with the Sign of the Takahe, the Sign of the Kiwi, the Sign of the Bellbird at Kennedy’s Bush and the Sign of the Packhorse on the Kaituna Saddle. Some of the almost crushing difficulties with which Mr Ell had to contend were intensified by his inability to work in double harness, and it was very galling to him to find little-minded men in unsympathetic association with a work which they did not appreciate. But he slogged on through a life of difficulty and great frugality, giving the whole of his time and resources to the ideal, and he even threw away his seat in Parliament by a manoeuvre that was intended to further the interests of his beloved Summit Road scheme. In the course of his work he gathered little gear for himself, but he gained deep respect and admiration among all classes of the people in recognition of the national character of his work, and this respect amounted to very real affection, especially among the poorer people or users of “ the footpath way.” One must go back to the days of Wakefield and Sir George Grey to find men whose work is comparable to that which Mr Ell has left as a rich legacy to the province, and no tribute to his work could be overgenerous. A PROVINCIAL LEGACY. qpHE OBVIOUS MEMORIAL to Mr Ell is the completion of his iife work, and that is almost a sacred provincial trust. Happily, it now lies as a clear duty to be taken up in hearty co-operation by all men of good will. Mr Ell dreamed of a highway from Akaroa lighthouse to Godley lighthouse, and that work will be completed as a memorial to him. The personal touch, however, might well be given in a finely conceived statue at the Sign of the Takahe, and possibly an H. G. Ell room containing photographs and other mementoes in each of the road houses. CAR CONVERSION. ' I 'HE PRESIDENT of the South Island Motor Union asks, very reasonably, for help in drawing attention to the unchecked continuance of the crime of motor-car conversion, which is a legal euphemism for theft. He attributes the persistence of this crime to the inadequate penalties attached to it, and unfortunately he is right. There should be a tightening of the law against this offence, for it is the handmaiden of graver crimes. The sight of means to do ill deeds makes ill deeds done in a very real and dangerous when a potential criminal, without fear of heavy penalty, can use any car he can pick up to assist him in the commission of other crimes or the escape from detection.