HOKITIKA STATE TENANTS WANT ELECTRICITY IN PLACE OF GAS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 2

HOKITIKA STATE TENANTS WANT ELECTRICITY IN PLACE OF GAS

HOKITIKA, This Day (O.C.).—A reply has been received to a petition from 24 of the .tenants from a State housing block in Hokitika to the Minister of Housing (Mr R. Semple) asking that the houses be converted from gas to electric water heating and cooking, on the grounds that the gas supply is too weak in pressure and too expensive. The Minister stated that he had investigated the position and had found the charges to be in line with other localities, and he had been assured by the gas company that, with the arrival and installation of a new main to the area concerned, the pressure would be much improved. In view of this, and the high cost of conversion, he could not agree to the request. Flood Protection

The Hokitika Borough Council at its monthly meeting again discussed the question of the protection work on the river and it was decided (1) to approve the work involving the £950 and find council’s share; (2) to request the discontinuance of further work on the flood gates; (3) to request that the main scheme be deferred until a full plan is available; (4) to inform the flood protection committee of the council’s action. A petition was received from a number of residents and tradesmen requesting the completion of Jollie street, between Weld street and Gibson quay and it was decided to refer the matter to the engineer for a report and an estimate of the cost of the work. The Beautifying Association was granted authority to plant shrubs along Gibson quay, in the vicinity of the dumping ground. The Medical Officer of Health, Christchurch, acknowledging receipt of the council’s request for the appointment of a full-time inspector and stating that it may rest assured that a full-time appointment will be made as soon as possible and that the facts regarding the shortage of inspectors and the question of possible reduction of the council’s contribution has been referred to the DirectorGeneral of Health. Air Ambulance Trip

As the result of a request from the Westland Hospital Board, a specially chartered plane from the Nelson Aero Club arrived in Hokitika yesterday morning and left soon after for Dunedin, transporting a patient from tire Westland Hospital for special treatment at the Dunedin Hospital.