MEETINGS, Etc.

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 August 1925, Page 7

MEETINGS, Etc.

PLUNKET SOCIETY. : A meeting bf the Greymoutfi branch, of the Plunket Society was held yesterday afternoon. Present: kiesdames Carr (president), J. McLean, H. A. Barrett, O. H. Brailsford, T. E. Y. Sed'don, J> O’Brien, T, N, Cuttie, M. Anderson, Matron Shine/ and Mrs F. H. Denton (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Mesdaines Dehnehy and Smythe. A vote of thanks Wa& accorded Mr J. B. Kent for his donation of two signs for the Plunket Rooms, also to the Grey Harbour Board and Borough Council for . their donations. A circular was received from the Central Council, Dunodin, asking that delegates be appointed to attend, the annual conference at Dunedin, —The President (Mrs Carr) and _ Secretary (Mrs Denton) were appointed delegates. It was decided to publish a balancesheet, up to March 31, 1925, showing the public how contributions had been disbursed. It wag also decided to hold an “afternoon” on August 26. Mrs Gus. Schaef was appo<inted to the Committee. Nurse Spring reported, for the month of July, as follows: —Visits to houses; new cases 23, old' cases 87; visits to office, adults 75, babies 66; Hokitika, visits to houses, new cases 6, old cases 13; seen at office, adults 12, babies 11. The annual report of the Royal New 'Zealand Society for .the health of women and children (incorporated) for the year ended March 31, 1925, was ciruulated among the members present. The report dealt with the activities of the Society, and detailed the .extension of the Plunket system through New Zealand, and showed that a total of 94 nursps were at work in the various centres. Some idea of the amount of work done for the year by the nurses, can be gathered from the statistical figures, which show that 37,808 babies were under Plunket Nurses’ care, 147,151 visits were paid to homes, and 330,343 visits were

made, to the various Plunket rooms throughout the Dominion. An ipter'est(ing chart was furnished showing the infant mortality in New Zealand for a period of forty years; it shows a decline from 10 per cent, in 1874 to 33-4 per cent; in 1924. In 1907, when the Society • was founded, the infantile mortality was 7g per cent., so that as ' a result of .the activities of the Society the death rate has been reduued by 50 per cent. At the present rate of progress it is estimated that by 1930 the infant mortality will be further re-

duced to 3 per cent. HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL (Our Own. Correspondent). f The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening. Present: The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Oxs H. M. Coulson, D. J. Evans, H. T. Parry, G. Heinz, Jas. King, A. R. Elcock, 11, A. Blank, S. F. Oit. ■ v The Kanieri-Hokitika Sawmill Coy. wrote asking permission to cut a dram for water to assist in mill. Granted, W. J. Hassler, wrote complaining of water drain from Bealey Street, which flooded his section. —-Cr. Blank .said he had enquired into the matter and found that an old water course had been filled up.—Cr. Heinz said the drain service should be completed. — (jr. King said that the water was not as bad ’there as it used to be.—lt was resolved thst the Public Works Com‘mittee report bn the matter. C. E. Sparkes wrote asking for consideration for extra work done. — Resolved that F. Newman’s deposit of £W be forfeited for failure to- complete contract and that £lO be paid to C. Sparkes.

The Secretary, Canterbury Automobile Association, wrote asking that more supervision be made of motor traffic.—Cr. Coulson said that the Council should take steps to have vehicular traffic properly regulated. He gave some instances of narrow escapes from accident, —Resolved that the matter be referred to the Inspector, P. Jones wrote asking to have aught of reserve transferred to Mr. A. Krakowsky;—Accepted. The Marine Department wrote drawing the Council’s attention to the fact that the Council had no authority over the seaj-foreshore below high water mark, and had no right to remove sand, shingle, shell, etc., without a permit, which cost 2/-, and that 2/per cubic yard should be- paid for

gravel, etc., taken. —Resolved that the Minister be asked to exempt the local body from payment of royalty for gravel. The Treasurer reported receipts amounting to £147/2/1, payments £607 16/3, debit £7BO/6/2; loan credit £793 13/10. Accounts amounting to £295/11/Avere passed for payment. The Public Works Committee reported that it had .no recommendation to make respecting a light and sewer for Beach Street. The street was well lit. It was resolved to have formation work done in Jollie Street estimated to cost £3O; and that tenders be called for constructing drain in David Street. The scour on Cemetery Hill was explained by Cr. Orr, who said that the water was coming from the Mental Hospital grounds through excavation for a football field.—lt was resolved that the Mayor co’nfer with Dlf. Whitton (Superintendent) on the matter. The Mayor reported having interviewed Mr T. Staines re his taking over the contract for offal from the Abattoirs. He was not willing to take it at his tender price as he has sold portion of his plant, but would be prepared to take it at his previous con-

tract price (£54 per annum). This was approved by the Council. The Overseer reported on work carried out during the month. Cr Blank referred to a portion of Sewell Street which had been cleaned out, but was now as bad as ever owing to horses being allowed to wander.—Cr. Heinz said the laaid was private property and the Council could not do anything. The question of repairs to the Town Clock was referred to by Cr Evans and the Public Works Committee was authorised to report fully on all necessary repairs. The manager of the Abattoirs (Mr J. Jarman) reported carcases examined for the month : 33 cows, 22 heifers, 72 bullocks, 271 sheep, 19 lambs, 8 pigs, 3 calves; condemned: 2 calves, 1 bullock, 1 sheep. Fees received £76/6/(August last year £76/2/-). On the suggestion of Cr. Evans, it was resolved that the Chairmen of the various committees meet the

land County in conference respecting a Westland Court at the Dunedin Exhibition, the Greymouth public bodies having withdrawn from supporting it. Ci* Blank referred to the question of noxious weeds. He said it was high time the Council took action. They were spending many pounds every year in clearing gorse from streets. They should insist that property owners should keen the gorse down in front of their houses.—lt was resolved that the Public Works Committee report on tho question at next meeting. Or Blank reported having visited ('trey mini th again in. connection witli the ’tar-sealing appliances.’ He spoke highly of the courtesy extended to him by the officers of the Grey Bor-

ough Council.—lt was resolved that a letter of thanks be sent to the Grey Borough Council. It was pointed out by Cr. Heinz, that the Library building still leaked. Lie recommended tarring tho parapet. Cr. Coulson (chairman of the Library Committee) also said there was a leaking which he though was caused by seepage through the concrete. —After some discussion the Overseer was empowered to have the concrete painted thoroughly.