HOKITIKA POST OFFICE

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 August 1946, Page 3

HOKITIKA POST OFFICE

“A POSITIVE DISGRACE” IN LEAGUE’S OPINION IMMEDIATE RENEWAL URGED Criticism of the failure of the Government to renew the 70r year-old Hokitika Post Office, especially in view of the promise of first priority made by the -Minister of Labour, Mr. O’Brien, early this year and the fact that a new £40,000 post-office had been constructed recently in the much smaller town of Kaikohe, was voiced by members of the Westland District Progress League at a meeting last evening. Hokitika members expressed concern at the unsafe state of the building, and it was decided to communicate with the Postmas-ter-General, Mr. Webb.

The Transport and Communications committee recommended that the view of the Hokitika Progress League be obtained on the promised post office which had been given first priority by the member for the district on February 12. It was pointed out that the new £40,000 post-office at Kaikohe, 189 miles north of Auckland, served a township with a population of only 760 people, “There is a place down there as bad as our police station,” commented the chairman, Mr. W. D. Taylor. .“It is a positive disgrace. There is'now a piece of motor-car tube attached to the front door to close it,” stated Mr, E. W. Heenan, of Hokitika. “I don’t know how the staff puts up with it.”

“A material shortage is claimed, but. apparently, a different position existed at Kaikohe,” Mr. Heenan said. “Elderly people have to crawl up an old flight of rickety stairs to conclude rationing business, and this is the sort of thing the long-suffering public of Hokitika has to put up with.”

“The Government appears io be encouraging the trend towards the North Island even though it denies this,” said the chairman. Mr. W. D. Taylor presided and also present were Messrs IL W. Heenan; D. Friedlander, A. Hill (Hokitika). .1. M .Bunt, G. R. Harker, T. Blackie, G. Stiles, A. Mosley, G. Gillespie. W. F. Harley, R. J. Truman, and J. Saunders (secretary). Improved Air Service Regarding improved air transport from Avest Coast to the North Island and Canterbury, the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, advised that the League’s representations had been forwarded to the New Zealand National Airways Corporation. He assured the league that the corporation’s endeavour would be to provide the best and most efficient air service when suitable aircraft and the necessary ground organisation were available. . The Transport and Communications committee pointed out that last year an assurance had been given the League by Mr. W. L. Newnham, Public Works Department head, that a copy of the departmental report on the Greymouth aerodrome extension would be made available, but so far it had not been received. The committee recommended that an application be made immediately for the report in view of the letter from the Minister of Defence. It was also recommended that the report of Squadron Leader Hewitt, who had made an inspection some years ago, should also be obtained. Both recommendations were adoptCd Advice that the West Coast Guide Book would be published about September 10, was received from the South Islands Travel Association. The Hokitika Savings Bank advised that the executive committee of the Associated Savings Bank had agreed to approach the Government to provide for the acceptance o. leasehold properties as security lor loans. It also advised that a member of the Treasury Staff considered that there would be little difficulty m granting necessary amendment to the Act. ... The Acting Minister of Finance, Mr. Sullivan, advised that he would delei consideration until the views of the Associated Savings Bank had been obtained. . It was decided to ascertain Liom the Associated Savings Bank whethei further action should be taken.

Hostel for Youths “The time is opportune for the establishment of a youth hostel in Greymouth for the accommodation of those young people whose work necessitates their living away from home,” stated a report from the Housing and Rehabilitation committee. It was decided to take up the matter of a hostel with the Y.M.C.A. Wellington. The following recommendations oy the committee were adopted, except that in the first recommendation the question of netting was held oyei.-— (1) That information be secured as to the suitability of burnt lime for building purposes and that the Department of Agriculture be asked to release netting wire for the purpose of overcoming the difficulty oi linings for houses, viz., to enable the linings to be plastered. (2.) That the Housing Department be asked.io consider using showers and tin baths'as a temporary measure and as an alternative in view of the difficulty of providing porcelain baths in State houses. The following recommendations by the Transport and Communications committee regarding local scenic reserves, were adopted*—TLjat lhe Loiough Council be thanked for its decision to refer to the engineer the erection of direction plates signifying the location of King Park, Dixon Park and Arorangi Reserve: that the Council advise Mr. Peters that it accepts his offer to assist in clearing tne growth from the existing tracks m King Park and suggests that the Borough Engineer confer with Mr. Peters! that representations be made to the Grey County Council asking that the condition of the road through Arorangi Reserve be improved and that motor-car turn-outs be constructed. It was resolved that the . Public Utilities and Amenities committee be requested to inspect the Borough Council’s town planning scheme, and report on any alterations considered appropriate.