HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1931, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, November 17. The sad news was received this evening of the death at Wellington of Mrs Williams, wife of Mr Henry Williams, formerly Assistant Master of the Hokitika School, and Headmaster of oither schools. It is about twelve years since Mrs Williams moved with the members of her family to Wellington, ami she had been ailing for some time past. She was 60 years of age and a native of Gillespie’s Beach, Boult-h Westland. Very many West Coast friends will be sorry to learn of her death, as her kindly disposition had endeared her to all. Two daughters and five sons, some of whom are very well-known in tennis circles, are left to mourn rer loss, as also two sisfters, Mesdames F. Williams (Weheka) and M\ M.cGavin (Hokitika), and three brothers, Michael and John (proprietors of Fox Glacier Hostel) and Laurence (Australia).

At the Hospital Board meeting a lejtter was received from Dr E. Teichelmann acknowledging a letter from the Board notifying a 10 per cent, reduction on fees for services at Ithe Hospital and stating he was not prepared to accept less than £1 Is for anaesthetic fees all round. Mr Jeffries moved: That ithe Board regrets that it cannot alter the resolution carried at the previous meeting in reference to a cut of 10 per cent on all salary payments. This was seconded by Mr Keenan. Mr Duff though|t they should accept the terms of Dr. Teiehelmann recognising the great amount of work he had done for the Hospital in the past. The

Chairman moved that the '.terms of Dr Tc'chelmann be accepted by the Board. No man had done more for Westland Hospital than Dr Teiehelmann. This was seconded by Mr Duff. Mr Jeffries said he had no doubt about the valuable services rendered by Dr. Teichelmann, but he had been well paid. The resolution at last meeting was agreed to unanimously and now it seemed that some mmebers were acting like skuttlecocks. He objected to the proposed amendment. The Board was losing its dignity. By his own figures, Dr. Teichelmann was getting £2OO a year. The Board was not showing consistency in passing a resolution one meeting and withdrawing it at the next. The Chairman’s amendment was put and carried on the casting vote of the Chairman. Ayes: Messrs Elcock, Duff, Evenden and Chairman. Noes: Messrs Heenan, Jeffries, Meharry and Keenan. An alarm was sounded by the firebells,. last night just before midnight awing to a scrub fire out towards Blue Spur. There was a bright glare, which made the fire appear to be near the town boundary. The services of the Brigade which turned out smartly, were not required.

We continue to have dry hot weather particularly in .the forenoon. There arrives a breeze in the afternoon which cools the air, even though it rises clouds of dust A hot summer is evident.

At the annual meeting of the Hokitika Presbyterian Congregation, a mot on was carried by 25 to 19 that th-e Management Committee be authorised to proceed with the erection o f the new church, on (the same site as that of the o’d church, subject to the contract be ing amended to provide for a written certificate by the clerk of works being inserted, and that the congregational meeting approve of the Management Committee borrowing, if Accessary, up to £5OO beyond the cash in hand for the above purpose. Mr J. A. Murdoch in moveing the resolution, said the Scots’ Memorial Committee had approximately £2400 in hand, while two small amounts were still to be received. Apart from the actual cost of the building itself, there would be some expenditure in incidentals. Even if the total expenditure amounted to £2900, it would only mean £5OO above the amount in hand. The old church would bring £lOO. Labour was now cheap and tenders would be mow lower than in two years’ time. The lowest tender wa s that of £2635 by } h< “J.J. Constructing Co.” Mr \\ o> ds seconded the motion and Mr Wilson approved of it. Mr S. Preston pposed the motion. They had a little over £2400 in hand, and there had to bo deducted the architect’s fee, and I.ry of clerk of works. They would be nearer £7OO than £5OO in debt. He would like to seo a local man get the contract. Mr Park said |the debt would I e £6OO, but he was against delay. Mr Parkhill agreed. Mr J. King said they would have to raise £3OOO, and they could not go on now. The tender was broken, and fresh ones were needed. Mr D. Stevenson stated that, lasjt year, he had said the church was good for another six or seven years. It was silly to spend £llO in repairs and then to consider building a new church. It was in good repair, and their capital was earning good interest. Mr Preston said half the congregation did not understand the proposal fully. Rev. G. Naylor considei-ed 25 to 19 was not a sufficient majority, and it was decided to refer the matfter back to the Scots’ Memorial Committee fop reconsideration, and for a further recommendation.

I The Hokitika Cycling Club met last evening, when there were present: Messrs J. Davern (Chairman), R. Colkit, E. Best, P. Newey, E. Olsen, J. Honey, J. Smythe, J. McDougall, A. j Martin, E. Cook and the Secretary. It was decided that, in the ev«nt of a i competitor nominating a nd not being I able to compote through sickness, his i entry be refunded. The sweep for last I races were allotted: Senior, first 16s; ; second Bs, third 3s 6d; junior, first 7 S 6d, second ss. The next Gillman ' Cup race will be held on Saturday 21st, > to Woodstock and back, and a junior race to Kanieri a nd back. lit was decided to draw up a programme for the New Year’s Day sports for Cass Square at the next meeting. Mr R. Collett offered a medal for the most points for cycle races on New Year’s Day. Hi s offer was received with |thanks. . Application for lease of an area of reserve in Park Street for courts was made to the School Committee by the 1 Hokitika Lawn Tennis Club last even- ) in g*> probably at a rental of £1 year--1 ly- The Club asked that the Board • be asked to grant it. Ijt was pointed out that neither the Committee nor the

Board had a title to the area, which the Government hid set aside for State purposes. Mr Richards said that they had therefore been under a delusion all along ,and had been collecting fees for (the Department Mr Shannon moved that the request be not entertained, as the ground might be of more value to the school later, and they should not lose control of it. The Chairman suggested they send the request to the Board asking that, if they lease it, it be from year to year, a lt a rental of £5. The Reetor (Mr Menzies) said he would like to see something definitely done whereby the school might acquire the land, mainly as a sports area. The ground at present was wholly inadequate for its purpose. On the motion of Mr Shannon, it was decided (that they interview the Mayor (Mr G. Perry) who was Chairman of the old Education Board at the time it was abolished, and was cognisant of the conditions surrounding the ground in question.

A|t the R.S.A. Executive meeting last evening, Messrs D. J Evans (President), R Paterson (Hon. Secretary), T. Stuart, Bad®, Brown, Appleton and Hart attended. A profit of £l5 12s from the recent ball was reported. An allowance of £2O from (the Canteen Fund was announced. It was decided to extend the relief also to returned men on No. 5 scheme in the country districts. It was stated the War Pensions Board would be visiting Greymouth in the new year. The Secretary reported a credit balance of £llO, with liabilities (and contingent liabilities to 31st December) of £lO6. The Executive discussed enlarging the annexe at the rear of the hall, but consideration was deferred for a year. It was resolved to improve the existing annexe. It was decided to hold a party for children of returned soldiers at Christmas, and a Leap Year Ball on February 29th.

At the School Committee meeting last night, Mr Armstrong (Chairman) moved that £lO be granted to the Swimming Club. Messrs Conning (Secretary), Breeze, Shannon and Menzies ((Rector) -were against a grant. If was stated the Club was £4O behind, and hoped to reduce this deficit by a concert, and that the Committee were being asked for assistance, not a grant. Mr Armstrong then proposed a £5 grant, but it was decided that the Chairman and the Reetor should convene with he Club’s officials and report to (the next meeting. At the School Committee meeting Messrs Armstrong (chair), Sweney, McDougall, Chesterman, Richards, Conning, Shannon and Breeze and the Rector (Mr Menzies) were present. I The Secretary, Kanieri School Commit- I .tee forwarded £3 towards the dental i clinic The dental nurse reported 604 operations, for 166 attendances. Children were treated from Hokitika, Convent, Humphreys, Kanieri and Woodstock. The Board wrote regreltting that no assistance can be given the infant department by way of an extra, assistant. The Rector reported roll' number of secondary department 97, primary department 37. Miss Reid has been obliged to take a month’s leave of absence for health reasons, her (place being held temporarily by Miss Penlington. It has been decided owing to of work a,t this time the school fair be held over till early in the New Year. Wire protections have been erected round the windows, of the new class room and those of the dental clinic. The volley board and court have been completed and will be available in a day or two. The Reetor re ported that Ithe bell rope had been broken for several days. It was resolved to notify the Board’s overseer. Messrs Chesterman and Richards were appointed visitors for the ensuing month. It wap reported that the Ground Account showed a credit of £32, and the General Account a credit of £65

The Hospital Board met last evening.: Present: Messrs J. J. Breeze (Chairman), E. W. Heenan, R. Meharry, W. Jeffries, W. Evenden, M. Keenan, T. W. Duff, A. R. Elcock. The SurgeonSuperintendent reported that on October Ist (there were in hospital 14 males, and 17 females; admitted during October 12 males, 9 females; total treated 26 males, 26 females; discharged cured 13 males, 15 females; relieved 1 male, 1 female; died 1 female; total discharged 14 males, 17 females; in hospital 31st October 12 males, 9 females; in hospital for two months 2 males, 5 females. The Treasurer reported receipts £1096 14s Id, payments £B3O 5s 9d, and credit balance £309 3s 9d. Accounts amounting to £336 4s 2d were passed. It wag resolved to procure 12 tons of lime for the hospital farm. Next meeting was fixed for December 14. lit was resolved to call tenders for supplying fish at the hospital. and the matter of procuring coal was left with Mr Davidson and the man in charge of the boiler. The Grey Hospital Board wrote stating that the Sawmill Workers’ Union still owe a the Westland Hospital £143 3s 7d. The members said it would be very nice to receive this at Christmas. ®t. Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Public Works) wrote in reference to the maintenance in hospital of men injured and suggesting that men on public works contribute 4s 6d per month. It was resolved Ito confer with the engineers in charge of works in' the South Island, the proposal to be for treatment in hospital only and not for transport. The Inspector General of Health wrote drawing attention to the fact tha,t the Matron has only two trained sisters on the staff, and suggesting the addition of another for night work. Mr Duft said in spite of their efforts to economise they now found the Department desiring additional expense. Hero they had another Inspector coming along and dictating to them on the necessity of adding another trained nurse, in spite of the advice of their Doctor and Matron, a s to there being no necessity for a special nurse for night work. He moved that the Board ask the Doctor to report, and protest again to ithe Department endeavouring to force additional staff on the BoardThis was seconded by the Chairman, who pointed out the Board was doing its utmost to curtail expenses in every possible way. Mr Jeffries suggested the Chairman and Secretary interview the Doctor and Matron to find out who was responsible for Ithe proposal. This was added to th® motion which was agreed to.