HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 11 January 1928, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, January 10. Mr and Mrs Brosnahen (Wellington), accompanied by Mrs Dolph, are visiting Hokitika. Mr P. Kirwin, of Melbourne, a native of Hokitika, is here on a visit to his uncle, Mr Peter Kirwin, and is renewing old acquaintances. The death took place this morning of Mrs Dixon, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Clarke, Upper Sewoli Street. Her husband, Mr David Dixon, predeceased her many years ago. The deceased lady was a native of Pool?, Dorset, England, and was 81 years of age. She leaves three sons and two daughters. The interment will be private.

There was a large gathering at the funeral of the late Mrs Howard, of South Hokitika, which took place yesterday afternoon at Hokitika Cemetery. The Revs Perkins and Knowles conducted the services at All Saints’ Church and also at the graveside. Many beautiful floral tributes were received.

The death took place at the Westland Hospital this morning of Miss Marcella Agnes, the eighteen year old daughter of Mr and Mrs Janies McDonald, of Fitzherbert Street, after a short illness. The deceased was a native of the town, and was very pop ilar. Her untimely death will be regretted by a wide circle of friends, and all will extend their sympathy to tiie bereaved parents, brothers, and sisters. On Thursday evening next the Municipal Band will render a programme of music on Cass Square, commencing at 7.45. Dancing on the green may be indulged in, as suitable items will be provided by the Band. Lake Kanieri was well patronised by holidaymakers during the week-end, and was probably visited by several hundred people, numerous cars being parked in various parts. Lake Mahinapua was also much in favour. The water route was used by sonic parties, and a very enjoyable time was spent. If a regular boat service were established no doubt the acquatic resort would be patronised as of yore. Motoring generally is now in great favour .and many parties speed to different parts of lhe district. Kokatahi and Koiterangi arc being well patronised, but the south road most of all. The main traffic passed on to Franz Josef, but many make the side excursion to Okarito, the road to which is being placed in improved order. There has been a great increase in motor traffic up and down the district of late, including numerous outside cars. It is said the railage of cars through Arthur’s Pass tunnel is easily a record.

The death took place at Westland Hospital this morning of Mrs Sarah Taylor, a former well known resident of Stafford. She was a native of Scotland, and 88 years of age. Her husband died some 13 years ago. She had been 63 years in New Zealand, most of which period had been spent on the West Coast. She leaves two sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral takes place to Stafford Cemetery to-morrow afternoon. Tenterfield’s performance when he won the hurdle race at Reefton on Saturday was made more creditable, says a sporting writer, by the fact that his rider, being disappointed at missing a berth inside the leaders a hundred yards off the post, bad to pull the gel ling to the’outside, and his chance then seemed hopeless, but he got there in the last stride. This was Tenterfield’s last race, as his owner-trainer. R. Adamson, intends to allow him to live a retired life at Hokitika. His place will be taken by the aged Gasolene gelding, Cashbox, which ran a fair third in the High-Weight Handicap at Reefton or. Saturday. The culling operations in the Haast district carried out by the Westland Acclimatisation Society, have resulted in about 500 deer being killed last month. The herds are reported to be numerous, and several good heads were observed; Culling operations are being continued this month. The deer shooting season opens in two months’ time.

Westland Southern Sub-Union.—Ow* nig to the railway excursion clashing with the fixtures for the first round, an amended drawing has been decided on as follows: —January 15: Hokitika v. Rimu at Hokitika, Ross v. Kanieri at Ross, Ruatapu a bye. January 22. Ruatapu v. Kanieri at Ruatapu, Hokitika v. Ross at Hokitika, Rimu a bye. January 29: Rimu v. Ruatapu at Rimu, Hokitika v. Kanieri at Kanieri, Ross a bye. February 5: Ross v. Rimu at Ross, Hokitika v. Ruatapu at Ruatapu, Kanicri a bye. WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. The following report was submitted by the Overseer (Mr Millner) at today’s meeting of the Westland County Council: — Station Road.—The contractors for Uiis work have made excellent progress, having completed the clearing and formation, and are now engaged on the metalling . The completed work lias been finished in a creditable manner.

Duck Creek Bridge and approaches. —This work was completed early in the month under the direction of Bridge Foreman 11. Reynolds. The new structure, constructed with hardwood piles, silver pine caps and corbels, inner heart of rimu stringers, decking, and railing, is a neater and more serviceable design than the old bridge, and suitable for ton to twelve ton loads.

Lake Kanieri Road Widening — This work was continued by day labour and the clearing formation and a portion of the metalling completed; very heavy bouiders were encountered over a distance of six chains, explosives being required for their removal.

Sunny Bight Road was cleared ol scrub, fallen timber, etc, for twenty chains in length and eighteen inch diameter pipes culvert constructed al a soft open crossing that prevented wheel traffic, from using the road beyond Ronton’s boat shed. A turn-oui was metalled, and a parking place provided for motor cars eighteen chains beyond the pipe culvert. Dorothy Falls road was cleared of encroaching fern, scrub, etc, and the narrow portion of roadway at the Lake edge repaired with fine gravel and a turnout and turning place constructed for motor cars near Dr Toiehelmann’s cottage. Lake Kanieri Road was repaired with gravel between Slip Hill and the Lake. Roadman Oldcrog attending to clearing watertables and general repairs between Ward Road and Crayfish Creek Bridge. Urgent repairs w r ere effected, but not completed throughout to Lower Kokatahi, McArthur, Cropp’s and Hokitika Roads. Repairs limited to an expenditure of £5 were effected to bad holes on the old Christchurch: Road and a defective box culvert on Spencer Road removed and replaced with 12-inch diameter concrete pipes. Docherty Road.—The contractors have signed for this work and have completed several chains of formation and metalling in a satisfactory manner.

Petersen Road Extension. —The contractors have completed fifteen chains of clearing and surface formation, also the removal of debris and timber from the bed and banks of Wall Creek. Roadman Whitiskie attended to repairs to La Fontaine and Petersen RoadSj and to the construction of a small pipe culvert and approach to H. Kidd’s residence at Harihari. Repairs were effected by casual labour to Detour and. Wataroa Flat Road.