HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1922, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) The municipal swimming baths arc now being renovated in anticipation ot a successful season. A. strong working bee has plastered the inside of the bath, which now looks white and clean. Carpenters are busy erecting stands and diving boards, and when the whole place is painted throughout, the Hoki tika public will have something to be proud of. It seems a pity that the water sup ply is insufficient to give the necessary attention the bath deserves, but we understand the swimming club arc hopeful that ways and means may be dis covered -whereby an electric motor can be used to pump an ample supply ol fresh water daily. There are over 300 children in Itoki tika who cannot swim, and it is pleas ing to note that Mr Massey, as the result of representations made to him by Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., has promised to include swimming amongst the •educational works. This should ensure a small grant, which wo hope will iii-d its way to Hokitika. Miss Alice Wood, of Wellington, is at present spending a holiday with her people in town. Mr W. Perry left by Tuesday mo firing’s express, to spend a holiday at the South Sea Islands. Mrs J. Morgan and Mrs 11. Butland, who have been on an extended holiday ut the North Island, return'' 1 home h? lust Saturday evening's express. Mr P. Johnston is at present spending a month’s holiday in Christchurch. Th# many friends of Mr P. Cook, the well-known, boxer, who recently spent a holiday in Hokitika, will regret to hear that he has been compelled to enter the Christchurch Hospital in order to undergo an operation. We hope to be able to report his return to good health in the near future. Owing to high seas and the flooded state of the river, the “little marine mysteries” have again become scarce. Most of the whitebait trenches on the local river banks, which were knocked down during the recent Hoods, have again been erected. So far the season has been a fairly successful one, and should the weather conditions be favourable, the. catchers arc confident of a good harvest. West Coast whitebait are selling in Christchurch at 3/per pound. Judging by the amount of interest taken locally over last {Saturday’s humorous bout between a Rugby official and the spectator, 1 should suggest that these two be matched in a real scrap, as a benefit for the local Beau tifyin ,r Society. Both contestants have a very large following, and I am sure the event would eclipse all previous contests held here! In order to give the Southern settlers better facilities in the way of telephonic communication, the Telegraph Department have decided to establish a metallic circuit between Hun Hari and Hoss. It is understood that a good number of extra poles will be required to strengthen the line and an extra wire will be run between Ross, and Hari Hari. The Southern settlers will, no doubt, appreciate the proposed improvements. During the last day or two. as a re- • suit of bad weather off shore, there has been a very heavy westerly sea running along the Coast. Yesterday, however, despite the rain, the sea was not as rough as it might have been in the circumstances.