HOKITIKA NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 12 December 1928, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, December 11 The Zingaro arrived off the bar af ter a fast r itn of 42 hours, and ‘ . along ide the wharf about eight o’ clock last evening. She discharged her inward cargo last night, and commenc ed loading sawn timber early this morning. The Zingara is expected to sail for Wellington at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. The Westland Acclimatisation Society invites applications for two oi more district rangers for an extended period, to enforce the provisions of the Animals Protection and Game Act and the Fisheries Act. The duties concern the illicit taking of game, oposunis, deer, and fish, etc, and covers the whole district.

An accident happened this morning during loading operations aboard the Zingara, whereby Mr A. J. Sumner ivas injured. A sling of timber had been landed on the deck, and when the strain was loosened a portion of the timber fell outwards, across Mr Sumner, who was crushed about the legs. He was taken to the doctor, who reported no bones were broken, but several ligaments were injured, with the result that, he will be incapacitated for some time.

Me srs M. Houston report that at the Arahura stock sale yesterday the entry consisted of 44 head of fat cattle, which were submitted to a good attendance of buyers. Prices realised were on a par with those of the previous sale for good medium-weight steers and heifers, whilst heavy ox and cowbeef was slightly lower. Good ox ind heifer beef sold from 37s to 40s )er hundred, whilst cow beef realised from 32s to 365. The following sales were effected:—On account of W. A. famiesnn, on e bullock at £l5, tw 0 at £l4, two at £l4 10s. two cows at £9, two at £7 10s, one at £9. two at £B, two heifers at £lO 2s 6d one at £lO 15s, two bullocks at £l3 10s, two at £l3, two at £l3 10s; on account of C and L. It. Gibb, one steer at £9 10s; on account of P. Sullivan, two cows at £8 10s; on account of 11. Oiderog. nine -tore steers at £8 10s. HOSPITAL BOARD. The Westland Hospital Board met last evening. Present: Messrs J. ,1. Breeze (Chairman), E. A. Wells. A. B. Spiers, R. Meliarry, M. Keenan, W. Jeffries. G. Heinz, G. Davidson and T W. Duff. Mr F. Turley (Westland Timber Workers’ Union) wrote notifying J. Bu her was a member of the UnionReceived. The Board after discussion resolved that Mr Turley be informed that Mi- Busher was not on the official list supplied to the Board. Mr T. A. Condon, Tatnre wrote of fering £7 for mare and harness. lie reived, and referred to Mr Jeffries to leal with. Accounts amounting to £523 17s Id Yore passed for payment. The Tretireported that receipt* amounted to £556 6s s<l, payments £777 3s 6.1, debit balance £564 10s lid.—Reecived. The Chairman of the House Committeo and Matron were a ulh prised to arrange for the annual Christmas cheer i for the inmates of the ins*ii«tion. Mi Jeffries took occasion to exti nd to the Chairman and members, the Surgeon Superintendent, Matron, m ,’ staff of tile institution. Christina greetings. Mr Jeffries expressed ap preeiation of the work of the staff and also paid a tribute to the spleu I 1 Work done by Mr Davidson. Chair-1 '"an of the House Committee, in and out or season during the past five o>

Ml- Duff supported, endorsing the an preeiation of the work of the staff ami specially endorsed the referenceto the work of Mr Davidson. The grounds were a credit to Mr Davidson whose work speaks for itself. The re mlt* are excellent, and show a wonderful improvement as a result o 7 hiuntiring work.

Other members of the 80.-irl emlors ■ d t.ie unlinks of the previous speak its. and the motion was agreed to. The Chairman returned ’hanks oi behalf of the Hospilal P t a ff and compliment paid to himself as Chapman. Mr Davidson said ho appreciat ed very much the kindly references ol Tl members. ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY. A meeting of the Committee ol' the Acclimatisation Society was held «■ the County Chamber.. Present- DT< ichelmann (President). J. King R Stuart. W. Br,addon, A. C. A rir.*t imw G. Perry, 11. T. Parry, E. J. fjord S. Godfrey, W. Peck 11. 1'.,-, D. J. Evans. The N.Z. Acclimatisation Sm-ictics’ Association wrote tiot-fyii.g sub-crip-lion dur; inquiring as t i labels re quired for deer stag head, for the season; notifying resolution* under Fisheries Act to be paced before Mill istcr of Marine; list of remit, referred to executive with power to act; circular regarding conference of cur iJ tors in February; copy of letter tup potting statements opossums v re not harmful to bud Hit—The muter of representation at the conference of curators was left to the President. The Hatchery Committee reported l as follows (abridged):—“The ser vices of Mi' Ridland were again secured. and lie commenced his duties on the Ist June. The additions and alterations were completed by that date, and have proved satisfactory. The additional accommodation Ims been thoroughly justified, as it would have been most inconvenient to attempt the hatching of such a large quantity of ova in the main building. There now remains the settling tank and a few yards of race to be renewed, and Mr Stevenson has instruction to do thework as soon as the timber has been thoroughly seasoned. We were particularly fortunate in securing a supply of 400,000 quinnat ova from Ilakataramea. They were brought over un der the personal supervision of Mr Ayson, and arrived on the 15th June. The ova were in excellent condition and hatched out splendidly. The fry were liberated in the Styx and Kokatahi streams, and about 50,000 were put into Lake Kanieri. We would re-

commend that an application be made for a further supply for the coining season. A consignment of 200.000 brown ova was secured from the North Canterbury Society, and hatched out very well, and also 400 000 brown ova were received from the Southland Society. The 400.000 were a s*,.yad delivery, and the last consignment of

50,000 did not arrive until the 27th September. We would suggest that earlie r application be made for next reason’s requirements, so that deliver io; may be made earlier, as enters are fulfilled in the rotation of receipt. The Grey Society’s share of the brown fry were sent in three consignments. We liberated 50.000 brown in Clear ! Creek, a tributary of the Tercmakau. I on the 26th October. This is a cen- I joint expense on the two Societies. The Westland Society’s share of the brown fry was distributed in rhe Kokatahi district streams and the Arahura. ’ ’ The recommendations of the report ere adopted. It was agreed to write lhe Grey District Society regarding orders for o n lor next year, to be on the same lines as the past season. Accounts -o the amount of £173 Is were passed fcr payment. FIRE BOARD. At the meeting of the Fire Boaid there were present Hon H. L. Michci (Chairman), Messrs A. R. El cock, F. C. Haycraft and C. L. Green. Mr Green moved a vote of sympathy with the relatives of their late Secretary, Mr A. A. Andrcwes. The motion was seconded by the Chairman, and carried in silence., members stand ing. Inspector Hugo, reporting on the inspection of Hokitika Brigade, stated that the required drills were carried out in a satisfactory manner. The main and sub stations were found ir good order, and the time was oppor tunc to arrange for motor transport of men and gear; recommending ar rangi ment for electrification of the fire alarm.—Received. The Superintendent reported as fol lows:—“lmmediately after my taking over the position as Superintendent wr had quite a bad run. having 12 out breaks in about four months, some of them creating serious loss, the worst phase being the fact that' a number of them were surrounded by suspicious circumstances. The most serious loss was fustained when the two stands on th e Racecourse were totally destroyed The fire had a good hold of No. .1 stand before being discovered. There was a strong north-east wind blowing, and the fact that the nearest fire plug was fifteen chains away made it impossible for the Brigade to be of much service when they did arrive, only being able t o run out one long lead and showing not. much pressure. Several remarkably good saves have been made and 1 would like to specially mention , the good work done by the Brigade in tke case of Touhey’s motor garag' fire. This building is situated on the east side and about the middle of Revell Street, in one of the most congested parts of the town. Thanks to the continuous telephone, the alarm was given about 4 a.m. to the nightwatchman before the fire broke through the building. The Brigade were promptly on the scene, and did splendid work, being able to hold the arc within the four walls. Re Prill cess Theatre —The handrail mentioned in Past Superintendent Braddon’s la t report has {been placed in position, and the fire escapes are now in order. The Brigade maintains its effijciency and full strength, with one or two always waiting ready to join. There is to be held here about the eml o February the U.F.B.A. Conference and Demonstration. We expect the nominations to be good, the competitions keen, and the work will be a decided benefit to all Brigades. For the prac five of our local team., and also for visiting teams that will be here a

few (lays before the Demonstration, have been requested to ask your Boar, to be good enough to supply our Bri gade with two hundred feet of 2J incl hose, that means four fifties complet, with couplings, this being the regula tion size for competition work, t 0 co.-i say £2O. There is advertised by ai Auckland firm a light extension ladder 25 feet, at £4 10s. This fodder is ap proved by the Association, and used ij competition work, as well as fire work and one will be needed for our com petitions. Kindly approve. The Bor ough Council has been good enough tr extend the water supply pipes to loca lities where new residences have been erected—Stafford Street, eight chains and Gibson’s Quay, five chains. Out last three practices have been devoted to testing the fire plugs throughout the town, and they should now stand n. good order for some time. Be the Demonstration—Funds will have to be raised locally to cover prize money and entertainment. We would be glad if your Board could give a small grant towards this fund.” Superintendent Mclntosh was pre- ■ sent, and addressed the Board at length | on matters in connection with his report. 10 Hoard discussed the report hi considerable length, especially th, reference to the fires, members expressing the opinion that it would be advisable for the Board to request (which they had the right to do under -he Act) that an inquiry be held on every orca ion where a fire took place, even if there were no suspicious circumstances. It was resolved that the Board eon 'ey to the Brigade its appreciation of their excellent work in conuectioS w-.th the outbreak at Toollev’s motor garage. The report was ultimately adopted with the exception of the last elans, in refenee to the alarm system an, better means of getting to fires. Or these, consideration was deferred, the Superintendent to bring up a report at next meeting on the cost involved on the lines as suggested in his personal references to the Board. The Treasurer reported receipts £337 4s Id, payments £286 Is 9d, credit balance £ll2 3s Bd. Accounts amounting to £247 Is lid were passed for payment. Air W. E. Gaylor, who has been acting .Secretary. was appointed Seerefaary to the Board, at a salary of £4O per annum.