HOKITIKA NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 April 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[OUR OWX CORRESPONDENT.]

HOKITIKA, April 20. The Mayor, Mr. A. R. Elcock led a deputation to wait on Mr. Semple yesterday afternoon. . New aerodrome: —It was pointed out the” present site was no longer suitable nor would it be lor post-war requirements. Mi. Semple could give no indication how far up the list of priority works this aerodrome stood’. Regarding the non-granting ot tourist or taxi air licenses, it was pointed out to him that the instructions at present were that m the event of a case of accident or sick ness in South Westland a plane would be given a special license after permission from Wellington which might be too long coming.—He promised to put this before the Minister of Transport. The condition of the railway approaches was pointed out and the Minister promised to have his engineers look into the matter. The Mayor pointed out that the Railway Department had been trying to buy houses in Hokitika. It already owned residential sections and he thought that in view of the shortage of houses already the Department should assist by building its own houses. The Minister agreed that buying houses was not helping the housing problem , and promised to have the matter gone into. A large crowd awaited the arrival of the men returning from overseas last evening at the Soldiers’ Hall,

Hokitika. Owing to the late arrival many had a long wait but were entertained by the Hokitika Municipal Band. On arrival the men were briefly addressed by the Mayor Mr. A. R. Elcock and the President of the Hoki- • tika Westland R.S.A., Mr. W. M? Fraser. The singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows” concluded the' brief ceremony and the men were al- ' lowed to join their friends. The Boys’ i Brigade under Rev. K. Hadfield acted I as a guard of honour and members : of the Transport Section of the W.W.S.A. transported the men to their homes. WESTLAND HOSPITAL BOARD. The Board met last evening to conclude business adjourned from Monday’s meeting. Present: Messrs E. W. 1 Heenan (Chairman), G. R. Northcroft, i R. Wells, W. J. Richards, T. W. Duff | and .Mrs. Z. Harrison. Apologies were i received from Messrs A. H. Lawn and D. Keenan. I

Accounts amounting to £4387 15/11 were notified and passed for payment.

The Engineers, Works Committees, farm and grounds repoits were read and approved.

. Matron’s Report: Number of operation 64, X-rays 184, massages and theraphy treatments 139. Highest number of occupied beds 86, lowest 67, average for the month 76.

Medical Superintendent’s report: Remaining in hospital 28/2/45 68; admitted during March, 1945 105; total treated during March, 1945 173; remaining in hospital 31/3/45 73.