HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 12 January 1928, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, January 11. The flight of the airmen from Sydney to New Zealand yesterday caused immense interest here, and last night there were innumerable inquiries as to their arrival. The absence of authentic news up to a late hour increased the tension, and this morning inquiries were renewed. The absence of news of tike arrival of the airmen has caused a deep feeling of depression, and fears are generally expressed for the men whose whereabouts so far are unknown. It is suggested that the West Coast should be included in the search, as the plane might have been taken in this direction after the last news of it at 5.20 p.m. yesterday. The wedding took place at St Andrew’s Church, Hokitika, of Miss Gertrude L. Hackell, youngest daught ?r of Mr Andrew Hackell, to Mr Walter W. Brassington, son. of Mr G. C. Brassington, of Christchurch, the ceremony being performed by the Rev M. Hayward. Misses M. King and E. Brassington were bridesmaids, while Mr A. C. Brassington was best man, and Mr E. Hackell groomsman. The Westland County Council, at yesterday’s meeting, approved of the following list of roads as to which application is to be made to have them declared highways:—As main highway; Kokatahi-Koiterangi road, from Kanicri township to junction with Camelback road (Koiterangi), 12 miles; and as secondary main highways (being heavy traffic roads, bearing timber aud other produce for export by rail): (1) Lake Kanieri road, from junction with Kokatahi road to Lake Kanieri, 6£ miles; (2) Arthurstown Road, from main highway (Kanieri Bridge) to Hokitika railway bridge, 2| miles; (3) Upper Kokatahi road, from Graham’s Hotel corner to junction with Meharry road, leading to Higgins’ sawmill, 4 miles; (4) Upper Kokatahi road, from Camelback road junction to Doughboy road junction, 5 miles; (5) Blue Spur road, from Blue Spur Creek bridge to Hokitika Borough boundary, 4 1-3 miles. From Rural Counties’ Association, Taumaranui, the Westland County Council yesterday received a letter with regard to timber rating and collection of timber levy.—lt was resolv fed that the Council considered the proposed charge for collection, 12| per cent., was excessive; and that 5 per cent, was a sufficient charge. Left to the Clerk to reply to. Mr I). P. Stuart, of the Kanieri Hokitika Sawmills, Ltd, has joined the Board of Directors of the Westland Wood Pulp and Paper Syndicate, Ltd. A chemical engineer is at present erecting a laboratory plant in Christchurch, to conduct further tests on behalf of the syndicate. The Hokitika Amateur Swimming Club arc to hold the first of their swimming carnivals on Tuesday night. By the number of bathers using the baths now, it should be a pronounc'd success. The important question of river ero- ! sion in general, and that of the protection of land from erosion in the vicinity of the river Waitangi, in South Westland, in particular, was yesterday discussed by the County Council, on the receipt from Mr N. Brown (Matainui), and other settlers, of an offer to provide £lOO towards the cost of providing protection, the total cost of which is estimated at £4OO. Crs Chinn and Searle stated the work involved the Council in £lOO, but they considered the Government should pay the whole amount. The damage done, in their opinion, was due solely to protective works at Waitangi bridge, erected by the Public Works Department. Cr Ward did not think the Council should rush into the scheme. He sympathised with the views of southern members, but had his doubts as to the wisdom of the proposed work. Cr Jef fries said the question was one for the Government, which should be urged to set up a Commission to inquire into the river erosion generally in the Dominion. The West Coast was vitally interested in the question. lie urged the Council to pass a motion on these lines. The Chairman endorsed the at titude of Cr Jeffries. ITe doubted if the Council had the power to grant £lOO for this work, where no public road was involved. He urged the matter to be brought before the Minister of Lands, on his proposed approaching visit to Westland. Cr Jeffries moved that the river erosion on this Coast is of such a serious nature that this Court cil urges the Government to set up a Commission to report on the question of river erosion throughout the Dominion. This was seconded by Mr Chinn, and supported by Mr Ward, who, however, said he had no hope of much good coming from it. The motion was agreed to. Mr Searle moved and Mr Chinn seconded that the Minister for Lands be requested to meet the settlers affected ou the ground, on the occasion of his approaching visit, and discuss the position. The motion was carried. A cricket match at Ross between Ross aud Ruatapu was? won by the former Club by eight runs. Ross scored 89 in the first innings (Head 13, Mason 15, T. Houlihan 24), and 41 in the second; while Ruatapu made 71 in the first (Greatbach 24, Whitehead 13, Dundas 10), and 41 in the second (Whitehead 13). Bowling for Ross, Houlihan, who had the hat trick, took 6 for 15, Head 3 for 17, and Donaldson G for 15;'while for Ruatapu, Greatbach took G for 59, and Whitehead in all got 13 wickets for 38. At yesterday’s meeting of the County , Council there were present: Crs J. A. Murdoch (Chairman), W. Jeffries, B Ward. J. Donovan, H. Searle, L. li Morel, E. Wells and W. Chinn. The

Public Works Department advised that subsidies for flood damage were not available unless extent of damage is over £5O, and regretting subsidy could not be given for Richardson road repairs. The Minister of Lands advised that a sum had been appropriated for the purpose of conducting experiments on the La Fontaine swamp in flax-grow ing; also in connection with various mixtures of grasses. Mr J. O’Kane (Wainihinihi) advised that some samples of stone from Seven Mile, Taipo had been posted, and asked for analysis of same. Mr Titos. Walsh (Weheka) wrote agreeing to undertake construction of Walsh road at estimated cost as a co-operative contract. Mr 11. Cowan advised that on January Ist he commenced duty at Okuru as ferryman. It was decided the Council could not grant £lO to clear Upper Okuru run track for Ilarvie Bros. It was decided that the Overseer report on Mr J. Cipher’s request for assistance will) road drainage affecting his section at Matainui, the Overseer stating the cost of the work was £l2. The Overseer recommended a grant of £25 for the approach to Sullivan Bros hostelry now being erected at Weheka, the completed approach to which will cost over £lOO. A grant was approved. It was decided to recommend for the Rimu Sluicing Coy, Ltd, a further grant of £lOO for prospecting. It was decided that a retaining fee of £5O be paid Jas Park (County Solicitor), to be in accordance with the conditions laid down in a letter from the Controller and Auditor-General, dated 22nd December last. It was resolved that the Overseer report as to the improvement of a sharp corner on Lake Ranieri road between one and 2 mile pegs from the Lake; also as to the time sheet of a loadman during the holidays, and that the Overseer employ the necessary labour for clearing and repairing Okari-to-Forks road, cost up to £l5. On the Chairman ’s motion, it was resolved that the Council noted with pleasure the action of Mr A. P. Harper, who accompanied the ITon Amery on his tour, in correcting the erroneous statements made in connection with the state of the main south road, and that a letter of thanks be forwarded thanking Mr Harper for his action. Cr Chinn reported that owing to a misunderstanding a proposed meeting of settlers at Waitaha factory at 9 o’clock on the next meeting day of the Council, and that the Council sit at 7.30 p.m. on that day. Leave of absence was granted for t m days to the Clerk.