HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1927, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, Ap.ii s. i An inquest was held on Thu.sduy :iJ 2 p.m. on the body found in the ib.ki-; tiku River, before Mr D. J. Evans, Cor "Her, and a jury. W. A. '1 lu-mpsoi. gave evidence of having (ii.M-overet. ‘he body floating in the river inside Ihe on. ast works opposite the Piuiiee. ibdei. \V. Keller said he iev-giii.-c< the deceased, who had stayed foui plays al his hotel and then k ft. Wit Bess last saw him alive on M.uHi I'7 when he called for his overcoat. 1 W. Bruce said he recognised the bod\ as that ot Claude W. Clement son, when He had known for the past tlii.ly years. •Sergeant King said he had recovered the body from the river. It was fully | dressed, ami was floating lace down Iv. ards. It had *becn in the vxater lor some considerable time. ('oiTcspun-1-cnce found on the deceased confirmee | his identity. The verdict was deceas ed was found drowned, but there was no evidence as to how lie came to be in the river. On Thursday the local Acclimatisation .Society held its annual meeting when lengthy reports by the Executive and (“hairman were received. r l he balance sheet, showing a cash c redi. balance of £529 17/1), with additional lands in sight, was read and received, i ii _• net receipts for the year w ore £(543 9/5, ami the expenditure £24(5 1/7. Mr Aimstrong stated the hatching of ova was being resumed, and the Society had ordered 100,090 brown eyed ova from .Southland Society. The Grcv District, Society was joining up and would bear half the cost of conducting the hatchery for mutual benefit. It i was hoped to have the services of Mr Ridlaml during the vital time of hatching. Thu revenue from the opossum trade had put the Society in a good position. Mr Barry did not favour th; Society abolishing its tourist branch,

which was most necessary in helping towards the general welfare of the dit> trict, and the proposal was withdrawn. I Mr Mclntosh said it was the first time in his thirty years’ connection with the Society that he had heard so good a report. Officers were elected us fol lows: President, Mr G. A. Perry; Vice I resident, Dr Teichelmuun; ITotl Secretary, Mr D. J. Evans; Council 01 Twelve—Fourteen nominations were received, and a ballot resulted in the election of Messrs Braddon, Parry, Peck, 11. Wells, Paterson, Mclntosn, Garnet, Perry, R. Wells, R. Stuart, il. Appleton, Berendt, Nancekivell. Hatchery Committee (to work in conjunction with the representatives from Grey Society)—Messrs Peck, Braddon and Armstrong. Messrs J. King, L. J. Lloyd, W. Braddon and S. W. Ridlano .were elected life honorary iienoers Sixteen new members were elected. It >vas resolved, on Mr Armstrong’s motion, that rewards to check poaching be recommended to the Council to be offered to the rangers and police in connection with any successial prosecutions regarding breaches 01. game, fishing or opossum regulations. The Secretary read a letter to the Tourist Department enquiring if there was any reading scheme for Lake Kanivii, and stated that on receipt of the reply it would be possible to take definiLC action. It was stated oil was now to be seen on the surface of the lake, and that dead bodies of beasts were found on the shores. Dr Teichelmanu sa.’d as the lake was the source of the town's water supply, it was necessary

for health reasons to enforce certain restrictions. At a meeting of the Council letters were read from the inspector of Fisheries advising the Society to go in strongly for rainbow trout for the next two or three years; from the Department of Internal Affairs notifying shooting season as fol lows: —May 2nd to July 31st, c.ocl; pheasants, quail, mallard and grey duck, black swan; May 2nd to May

•Ist, pukeko; May 2nd to .May Mb. t .arad:su duck (Wataroa, Cooky’ an.i •varaiigarua Flats only); license fee -1, obtainable from Postmasters at uoss, Kumara, (Jkarito aim ku. Hiu usual conditions as to the number -f game to be taken were also sup- . dicu; irom luurist Depm tn.unt inti..auag a period had been granted to he lufjce for the repair- i< IdUiis! ’Jottaip and enquiring ;]p, Soieiy nuuhi take over the evttagu; from Department of Internal Allans advising die opossum season would be open tins fear, and notifying some amendments <o the regulations; from Director of Forestry, Wellington, stating he was uiscussing matters relating to the opossum season with the Department of In lernal Adairs; from Otago Society and Internal Affairs Department quo! dig for rainbow and brown trout ova; and irom others enquiring re opu3s-| sums, fishing and district resorts. On the occasion of the recent golden wedding celebration of Canon and Mrs Hamilton, when they were tendered a [uiSseiitation ‘pud social tin the bidfliers’ Hail by their many friends m the district, the Hon. 11. L. Michel, who presided, congratulated the Canon and i.is good lady on the happy’ event, ahd n called the good work don-e by Air Hamilton over forty years ago io Ross, when Vicar there. He also welcomed the pastors of other deuuminaiions prcsint, and presented the (.'anon wi.h an oil painting, of the Divide on the summit of Arthur’s Pass. Mr W [O. Mackay also extended good wishes, and, as a former parisioner at Ross, recalled interesting reminiscences of his association with the guest in the good old days. Rev J. W. Hayward said he appreciated the opportunity of extending his congratulations. He was pleased to see the Canon so youthful and vigorous to carry on the good work of the ministry. After a useful life, full of cares and responsibilities, th.ey were now enjoying the evening of. life, and he hoped their ' future would be filled with pleasure and happiness, and wished them the best in life. Rev G. Knowles-Smith .esteemed it a great honour to Ife present as part of the family; for he claimed to be one of the family, Methodism being an offshoot of the Anglican Church. After so long a lapso of years, it was pleas ing to know that the Canon still had friends remaining in the district. 11<expressed pleasure at seeing the guests so bright and cheery, and wished them long-continued health and happiness. Captain Rankin and Mr W. A. Thompson also extended heary congratulations. Canon Hamilton, who was accorded musical honours, said Westland was a place for generosity and kindness, and he had received a full measure that day. He felt greatly honoured and thoroughly appreciated their good wishes and the feelings which prompted them. He thanked them for this beautiful present, which would always recall to him the old coaching days, lie concluded by thanking the visiting pastor and all present for their great kindness. Apologies were received, for their >unavoidable absefnee (from Rev. Father Finnarty and Mr A. Keller. Canon Hamilton 13 in charge of All Saints’ Church during the absence of the Vicar, the Rev M Perkins, at present on sick leave u.. Dunedin.