HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1927, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, June 21. On Thursday at noon a piano-player of marathon prowess commences a sixty-hour effort here in the premises opposite AfcGruor’s, continuing, as lie hopes, till midnight on Saturday. Messrs D. Bright and S. F. Dae re, of Christchurch, have been appointed judges at the Hokitika poultry, pigeon and canary show, to be hold hero on August 3. Bright sunshine recorded last week was 38 hours 34 minutes, the rainfall •was 20 points. The weather has been very fine ana clear, with sharp frosts. This morning was one of the coldest [experienced, many cold water 'pipes were frozen. Twenty-three degrees of frost were registered. During the week-end Mr IT. Wat-kin-son, District Engineer, visited Hokitika and conferred with the County authorities relative to the allocation of the quota, for Westland in regard to public works grants for 1927-28. The amount available was about £8,700 and a suggested allocation scheme was drawn up to absorb the full amount, preference of course being given to the works considered most urgent throughout the district.

The golf club’s draw for to-morrow for a nominated foursome for Miss Moore’s trophy:—Mrs Baker and Mrs Burne 26 play Airs Neville and Airs Irwin 28. Airs Afacfarlanc and Airs Diedrichs 29 play Airs Baird and Airs Staveley 23. Airs Williams and Airs Morris 29 play Airs Butler and Aliss Potts 36. Airs Cooke and Airs Pilkington 34 play scorer and Airs Chesn oy. To-morrow at 3 p.m. on Cass Square, the Hokitika Ladies’ Hockey Club play the Greymouth Star Club. The Hokitika team will be picked from the following: A. Stapleton, R. Morgan, J. Walker, D. Butland, Al. Daly 2 E. Hughes, Al. Sumner, N. Olsen, O. Stapleton, P. Thompson, P. Gillooly, V Bansgrove, Af. Wild, P. Dowell. A collection will bo taken up on the ground to help the local foam send any players picked in the West Coast team to Nelson in July.

The ketch Elsie arrived this afternoon fro'm Okuru and Bruce Bay, bringing up a load of sheep and a quantity of fish. In his report to the Fire Board, the Fire Brigade Superintendent stated: — During the year now ended, your Brigade received and turned out to nine fire calls. The loss ‘resulting from these outbreaks amounted to £2194, of which sum the Commercial Hotel fire was responsible for £1904. The fire in this hotel had such a hold when discovered that the main effort of the Brigade had to be directed to the somewhat difficult task of preventing the outbreak spreading to the adjoining buildings. In this I am glad to say we were successful. Since your last meeting death lias visited the Brigade, and I deeply regret having to report the loss of Deputy-Superintend-ent Henry Arnold Thompson, who has been an honoured member of this Brigade for thirty-four and a-half years. Brigade members continue to take great interest in our work, all musters being well attended. Some members have not missed a single practice and you may note that Inspector Hugo in his report makes very favourable comment on their efficiency, also on the attendance at fires. All gear is in good working order, with the exception of No. 2 hose reelj which requires some slight overhaul. With regard to uniforms, I would recommend that three working tunics and helmets he procured, also 22 undress tunics, 30 caps for which were presented to the Brigade by Air William Newman, of the firm of Newmans Alotors, a kindly and generous gift. The Fire Police are in attendance at all fires and are proving to be of considerable value to us. They have all signified their willingness to serve during the coming year. T would like to advise them that it is of the greatest importance for members of this body to wear their armlets at fires, so that their authority may not be questioned. I have inspected the means of escape in the Princess Theatre, and find that the escape stair way from the dress circle has become unsafe and, requires immediate attention; the stairway will have to be rent* wed entirely, and I recommend that when renewed it must lead into Sewell Street, instead of as at present into the Post Office Hotel yard*, wliicih, owing to a permanent building that has been erected there, is now unsuitable and highly dangerous. The Westland Rugby 'Sub-Union’s meeting this week was attended by Alessrs F. McGregor (Chairman), Stafford, Aloore, McDonald, Dowell, and Heenan. A deputation from Kokatani Club waited on the meeting asking for a neutral referee in their coming match with Ross at Ross.—Received. From School Football Committee asking for an eight-stone competition to be inaugurated.—Received and agreed to, sole charge to be vested in the Schools Football Cdmmittee., and ,a suitable trophy to be provided. Report of Referee Williamson on Kanieri-Magpie match was received. From T. A. Fletcher, Wellington, submitting full report on off-side rule. —Received; to be printed. From A. Sutherland, Ross, referee’s report on Saturday’s match. Ross v. Excelsior; aslo letter from Excelsior Club and deputation.—Re eeived. The referee had declared the game finished owing to darkness four minutes before time with the leading team the winners. It was resolved to refer the power of the referee to do so to the W.C.R.U. for a ruling. From Excelsior Club asking permission to arrange a match, Excelsior Thirds v. United Fourths. —Received and request granted. It was resolved that the writer of a letter complaining against the non-action of the Union in connection with the appointment of a referee be asked to attend next Union meeting. Accounts as presented were passed for payment. A request by Kanieri juniors to be allowed to disband was agreed to, but all players must make application for permission before playing Cor any other Club. The death occurred at the Hospital last night after a D ig i . ?ss of Mr. Thomas Robinson, L,t the. age of\7s years. Deceased, who was a native of Leicester, England, landed in Canterbury 60 years ago, and soon after came to the. Coast, residing many years in the Brunner district before coming to Hokitika. In the firstmentioned place he worked at coal mining and later conducted the business of cordial manufacturer. Coming to Hokitika he. took over a stationery 1 business and also conducted a cordial factory. He was a member of the Brunner Borough Council, and here he was also a Borough Councillor and member of the Hospital Board. He was twice married and by the first marriage *ie leaves four sons, William, Oliver, Thomas, of Hokitika and Alfred, of Hamilton, and one daughter, Mrs H. Sweeney of Hokitika; a stepdaughter, Airs Barra, clough, of Hawcra, and a step-son, Mr.

P. Petting, of Onehunga, besides two brothers, Dan of Kawhia, and Harry of New Plymouth and two sisters, Mrs Varley of Texas and Mrs Forte of Wellington. The interment takes place at Stillwater at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow, the funeral leaving his late residence here in the morning. At the quarterly meeting of the local Fire Board last night there were present: Hon. 11. L. Michel, (chairman), Messrs J. J. Breeze, A. R. Elcock, H. <5. Wiley, R. O. Green (Christchurch). The estimates for the year (£510) were adopted, and accounts amounting to £lOl/15/8 were passed for payment. The Acting Treasurer reported receipts to £lO3/11/11, payments £3O, credit balance £92/0/9. The Secretary of the Hokitika Fire Brigade (G. Lakin) wrote stating that Mr. J. J. Mclntosh had been appointed Deputy Superinten dent of the Brigade. The appointment was approved, as was also that of Mr. W. Braddon, who was again elected to the position of Superintendent. The Secretary of .the Fire Boards’ Association wrote asking for the appointment of a delegate for the conference. The Hon. H. L. Michel was appointed to represent the Hokitika Board. Inspector Hugo congratulated the Brigade on its efficiency and appearance. Hon. 11. L. Michel, M.L.C., loft today for Wellington to attend the session of Parliament. At the Fire Board meeting last evening, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr J. J. Breeze, a vote of sympathy to the widow and family of the late Deputy-Superintendent H. Thompson, was passed, the Board stading. Dr C. Mandi left to-day on a visit to Wellington. Mr W. Keller was a passenger by to-day’s express for Wellington, where he attends the Incensed Victuallers’ Conference.