HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 12 December 1927, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, December 11. The continuous telephone service in Hokitika was inaugurated on Saturday night. The coal seam being opened up near Lake Kanieri is widening gradually, and is expected to prove of such a width as to render its working feasible ’ and profitable. On Friday night., St Paul’s Dramatic Club gave a performance at Ross, rendering three playlets in good style. The company is to visit other country places. Messrs Newmans, Tooheys and Harcourts, the local motor proprietors, have generously donated return trips to the Glacier for the first throe prizes at tho combined euchre tournament on Tuesday, in aid of the Hospital Appeal Fund organised by the St Mary’s and Soldiers’ Clubs. The other morning the lunar eclipse was observed here about 3 o’clock, the sky being clear for the phenomenon. Tenders for Petersen Road -work at. inter-Wanganui close at the County Office at noon to-morrow. To-day local Churches took up collections in aid of the Hospital appeal. There was a street collection yesterday. The Elsie sails to-morrow for Okarito and Bruce Bay, and for Bruce Bay and Okuru on Monday, 19th inst. On Friday evening the girls of the secondary classes of the local State School went into camp at Lake Kanieri for a week’s holiday. At Princess Theatre yesterday the booth rights for the Westland Racing Club and Westland Trotting Club midsummer meetings were sold, the Westland Racing Club rights by Messrs W. Jeffries and Co, as follows: No. 1 publican’s booth, Mr R. Henderson, £75; No. 2 publican’s booth, Mr M. Keenan, £65; rights to sweets and ice. cream stall. Mrs Fowler, £l2 10s. Westland Trotting Club rights were sold by Messrs M. Houston and Co. as follows: No. 1 publican’s booth, Mr A. Dowell, £5O; No. 2 publican’s booth, Mr A. Dowell, £4O; right to sweets and ice cream booth, Mrs Fowler, £5 10s; right to cards. Guardian and Tinies Coy, £lO. On Friday evening a delegation from the Greymouth Diamond Jubilee Committee, including Messrs J. W. Greenslade, M. Keating, W. H. Parfitt, C. H. Rose and E. I. Lord met a number of local public men at the Town Hall, to arrange for local co-operation in connection with the Jubilee. The Mayors of Hokitika (Mr Geo. 11. Perry), Greymouth (Mr J. W. Greensla.de), Hon H. L. Michel, Mr J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), Mr W. J. Jeffries, M.C.C., and others spoke strongly in support of the enterprise. It was decided that those present, with power to add, be a Committee, the Executive consisting of Mr G. Perry (Chairman), Messrs Evans and Cole (Secretaries), Mr W. Jeffries, Dr Teiehelmann, Mr Murdoch and 11. L. Michel were appointed to deal with any matter of urgency that may arise. It was suggested that local school children could have an excursion to visit the warships at Grey mouth.

The Borough Council at its meeting on Friday passed a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Mr John Coyle, at the instance of the Mayor and Cr Jas. King.

Councillors present at the Council meeting were: Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), T. W. Duff, E. W. Heenan, .1. King, A. R. Elcock, D. J. Evans, G. Heinz, W. Jeffries, A. C. Armstrong, and D. Teiehelmann. It was decided to support Buller Progress League in urging reduced telephone rentals. State Collieries’ Combined Picnic Committee was granted the use of Cass Square on February 4th for their annual picnic. Messrs P. Feron and Son, Ltd, Christchurch, wrote asking the Council to restrict the activities of the Borough Inspector in connection with inspection of fish arriving in tho town. The Inspector’s comment and letter from Reid and Gage upholding the Inspector’s action were also received. Mr Heinz moved tho action of the Inspector be endorsed, and Mr Heenan seconded, the motion being carried. Hokitika School Committee asked the Council to carry out tar-sealing during the Christmas’vacation, the request being referred to the Public Works Committee. Kanieri Electric Coy asked for increased approach accommodation to their premises, Weld Street, and offered to provide pole and wire for light on Cass Squarr for £4, and would provide the light free. The offer was accepted with thanks, the location of light to be arranged by Reserves Committee, and the first was” referred to the Works Committee. On Mr Heenan’s motion, it was decided that the Public Works Committee be authorised to give road access in Livingstone Street to Mr Appleton. On Mr Evans’s suggestion, it was resolved to make a new crossing to the approach to St Mary’s Church. Accounts amounting to £469 15s were passed for payment. The Treasurer re- ' ported receipts £6l 2s 6d, payments £469 15s, bank credit balance £1033 5s sd, loan account credit £69 16s. The Finance Committee reported that medical opinion received stated it was inadvisable for Mr Andrews to take up the duties of Town Clerk again, and it had been resolved that leave be extended to 29th February, the total salary during extension to be £2O. This was agreed to. On Dr Teiehelmann’s suggestion, it was resolved to have the inside of the morgue painted. Newmans Motors were given permission to concrete in front of their petrol tank at their own expense. The Mayor moved that the dog tax fees for 1928 be fixed at 10s, with 2s 6d for cattle dogs. Seconded by Mr Heenan and carried. The Manager of Abattoirs reported that for November there were examined: 18 cows. 24 heifers, 56 bullocks, 213 sheep, 18 lambs, 21 pigs, 17 calves. Fees for period £6O (same month last year £65 4s). It was reported that the Waterworks Committee were obtaining from the Hume Pipe Coy a further alternative estimate, so as to obtain a discharge of not less than 300 gallons a minute, and by use of break pressure tanks to reduce the cost. The entertainment given by Miss Evelyn James, of Greymouth, and her local pupils as a benafit to the Hokitika Mental Hospital Wireless fund, proved a great success, and attracted a full house at the Princess Theatre. A costume play very cleverly acted form ed the first part, the performers being Misses Noeleen Wormington, Joy Ward, Dorothy Hughes, Violet Ross, Mary MeGavin, Lilian Linklater and Sheila Keller, and Masters Pat Mc.Gavin and Alan Coles. The second part, which again reflected every credit on Miss James as a tutor, was as follows: Musical Monologue, “Touching Things,’’ Miss GWynne Appleton; humorous recitation, “Taking Willie to Lunch,” Miss Mary MeGavin; violin solo, “Salut d’Armour” (Elgar), Miss Mildred Coburn; humorous recitation “A morning at School,” Master Pat MeGavin; character sketchy “Little Lord Fauntelroy. ” Miss Violet Ross;

song in character, “Hush! Here Conies the Dream Man, ’ ’ Miss Cora Lynn; musical monologue “An Old Romance” Miss Sheila Keller; Shakespearian recitation, “King Henry’s Address to his soldiers,” Master Alan Coles; humorous sketch, “The Aspiring Dishwasher,” Miss Dorothy Hughes; vocal duet (selected), Miss Borton and E. Knight; humorous recitation, “How He Helped Himself,” Miss Mary Preston; Shakespearian character sketch, “Prince Arthur,” Miss Joy Ward; musical monologue, “The Chimney Seat,” Miss Noeleen Wormington; violin solo, “Souvenir,” (Drdla), Miss Mildred Coburn; character sketch, “Pandora” (Longfellow), Miss Bella Beale; solo (selected) Miss Borton. A very pleasing portion of the entertainment was the violin solos contributed by Miss M. Coburn, of Greymouth.

Mr D. J. Evans said there would be a surplus, and thanked Miss James and her assistants, and also Miss Giese for excellent accompaniments.

In his report to the Fire Board, Superintendent Braddon stated: — Since your last meeting your Brigade received and turned out to three fire calls. The total fire loss since your June meeting is £5,684. The Fire Police proved their usefulness in a very unmistakoablc manner during the serious fire in Revell Street. At an elocutionary competition held in the Princess Theatre there was a grave over-crowding, and as a warning to the public that it was an offence to sit or stand in a fire escape passage in any place of amusement during a performance, an action was taken against a young man lor standing in one of the passages. The tell-tale clock report was received as satisfactory. The acting-Treasurer reported receipts £2BB/5/2, payments £l6B/12/7, credit balance £125/6/9. It was resolved to grant Mr A. A. Andrewes (Secretary) sick leave from Ist December to 31st March at half salary, Mr W. Gaylor to continue as act’ng secretary.