HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1931, Page 6

HOKITIKA NOTES

1 (From Our Own Correspondent). | The recent, remarks in the Argus of Mr “O ’Brien, M.P., regarding the- short comings of the unemployment scheme are fully endorsed in this district, and an •improvement would be welcomed. Miss Lily Stajines is to be- congratulated upon her outstanding success! in the AVest Coast Swimming Championships at Runanga, where she was the most successful lady competitor. 1 Mr T. J. McGuiga<n, the well-known Arahura Vapley siettler., who has been for nine weeks past, a patient a-t the AA'estland Hospital, has recovered, and is paying a. vMt to Greymouth. The “earthquake fund has now exceeded £9OO, latest donations arc:— Mr l and Mrs J. F AV. Schrode r £2/2; Hokitika Savings Bank £5O; J. Richards 10/-; J Stafford £l/1/-; T, Me-! bride £2; R and E- Ritchie £1; F. and A Rochford 10/-.

. It is hoped to raise 26,400 pennies in the copper trail in aid of the earth quake sufferers, that being the number required to encircle ouri Square, as proposed. The case at the Supreme Court as to prospecting in which decision, was reserved, was that, of an application by Lachlan McLachlan for a prospecting license, to which there was an objection. by John Corbett thereto. Mr Elcock for applicant, Mr Murdoch for objector. The facts briefly were- that McLachlan,., the applicant was tho holder of a license for a prospecting license granted on 23rd January .1930. The license would therefore lapse at midnight on 22nd January 1931. McLachlan did not; await the expiry of the license but repegged the claim on the 22nd.' January 1931 and lodged the application in Court at 12.20 p.m., on 22nd January. The question was whether, the ground having been held on an ordinary prospecting license, ?f the holder of the, prospecting license before the expiry’of the license, can repeg and apply for a new license. At the Borough Council’s monthly meeting Messrs. Holley', J Cameron, C. Macfarlanc, W. Robinson, S. C. Toohey, J. Schroder, G. Raine and H. Shannon attended as a. deputation 1° complain of the riecent flooding in upper Revell Street.. Mr Robinson pointed out flip damage done to property by the continued flooding during recent floods. Prior to the Council lotting in the drain, the speaker had 1 )ersona.lly waited on the Council point.; ing out. the proposed dr’a'm would not carry the water that the old drains had ftlways successfully carried. As a result of the drain being unable to canty away the flood waters, much inconvenience and loss had been caused, and there was a danger to the health of those, living in the vicinity. The Mayor and councilliersi were well aware, of the facts. As soon as the Council’s finance allowed steps would •lie taken to endeavour to rectify the trouble. They were prepared to do I heir utmost to remove the. trouble. Mr Evans asked if any of the deputation had. any suggestions to remove tho trouble. Tt was necessary that something bp done. .Mr. E C. Toohey said the new drain wa s am absolute failure. It was a foolish, expenditure- to put in a r IS in drain tc ’epla/ce a- 3ft Gin by 3ft Gin. drajn. He had never before had. to use gum boors to get to his home. M r J. 'Cameron pointed out the trouble that the small drain had caused by flooding his property. Mr Holley suggested that a 2ft drain be put i n on tho opposite side of the street. The Mayor said the Council had endeavoured t.o remedy the matter but found the bottom of the drain was almost spring tide- level. The deputation then withdrew. The Mayor moved that Mr J. C. Macfarlanc be instructed to take the necessary Levels with a view to finding a scheme to relieve the position. Seconded by Mr Evans and carried. The Council received a claim from Mr AV. Robinson, Dec’s Grocery, oi £l/15/- for damage to 5 bags of salt through premises being flooded. It wa s referlred back for further information. The Tennis Club asked firms for leasing section 32-36 in Whit combe Square and the Reserve Committee is to reply. Work done by the Borough staff dur hug the past month was as follows: —The remaining section in North Revell Street, was finished with kerbing, Stafford Street, footpath between Fitzherbert Street, and Bealcy Street on the north side was kerlbed also the front of Cass Square, north side was kerbed the total distance being about seventeen chains; we removed about five chains of six inch earthenware J p pes from the Ca.ss Square kerbing by cliang-mg the drainage into Hall | Street drain, the spoil from the grad-; ing was used in filling up the low parts of Stafford Street, at the top end of the Square. Crossings were put in at AVarrcn’s Taylorand Orr’s in Stafford Street and tw 0 in Revell St., one leading to the beach, and one at Fane’s. On the- Hau ITau road a drain was cut about five chains into a

swamp to dra : .n tiho water from the water main which needed, repairing. Weld Street drain betwieen Bealcy and Hall Street, was cleaned out o n the south side, the culvert, on the- north bclV was renewtod with planks, and cross beams, and the eulvet in Tudofi Street, replan,ked. Growth was cut in Brittan Stireet, Stafford Street, Rolleston Strdot, Salo Street, between Ilampde,, and Stafford Sts., Davie Stl, between Hampden and Stafford Streets, Bealcy Street Park Street and Sale and Bealcy Streets. Various leaks were repaired about the tiown and water connection repaired at the Dominion Hotel. The water supply caused a good deal of attention this month, the reservoir falling considerably. An examination of the pipe line did not disclose any serious breaks except. two of the hume pipes about a mile from the lake, were found to be cracked and a good deal of water was getting away, but the pressure gauge registered the maximum continually, 1051 b. at the Kanieri Forks. The average depth for the month was 6ft 6in. At the abattoirs during January there were slaughtered 21 cows, 19 heifers, 58 bullocks, 245 sheep, 107 lambs, 10 pigs, and 7 calves. Fees for month £69 10s (same period last year £73 14s). h