HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 16 March 1932, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

lOuj O’rn Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, March 15. The local public servants have joined up in the protest movement relative to salary reductions. A meeting of members of the local branches of public servants organisations, including the N.Z. Public Service Association, N.Z. Post and Telegraph Employees’ Association, Amalgamated So ciet.y of Railway Servants, and the N.Z. Educational Institute was held in the Government Buildings on Monday, regarding the matter. The Chairman of the West Coast Section of the New Zealand Public Service Association (Mr W. E. Brown) presided over a large gathering, and there was a frank discussion of the proposed salaries and wages cut and the Economy Committee’s Report. It was remarked that, in times of depression, the first onslaughts were invariably made on the

salaries and conditions of the public service, while bitter experience had shown that in times of prosperity the service was the last section to receive any benefits. Doubt was expressed whether salary cuts would furnish a solution of the difficulty, but rather would tend to show, by a further reduction of monetary circulation, a re purring budgetary deficit. It was decided to support the petition being presented to Parliament by the Combined Service Organisations protesting against the salary reductions. It was resolved that any business men who were of the same opinion should be invited to sign. It was felt that in the event of the reductions being brought into operation, a grave injustice would be done to the service unless all the recommendations of the Economy Commission were effected in toto, and particularly that, while fixed charges of interest and rents remain unaltered, there could be no equality of sacrifice. It was resolved to recommend to the Executive Committee accordingly. As a further alternative step, it was decided to support the Executive Committee in their efforts to press for an increased wages tax whereby all members of the wageearning community would bear an equal proportionate share of the budgetary deficit. If necessary, a further meeting is to be called to discuss the position in the near future. The Hospital Board meeting last, evening was attended by Messrs J. J Breeze (chairman), G. Davidson, A. R. Elcock. E. W. Heenan, W. Jeffries, I? Meharry, T. W. Duff, W. Evonden, IT. Wells, ami Al. Keenan. The Hospital Superintendent reported that on January 31st- there were 33 patients; admitted during February, 15 males, 11 females; total treated, 27 males, 32 females; discharged cured, 12 males, 12 females; relieved, 1 male; died, 3 females; total discharged 28; in hospital on 29th February, 14 males, 17 females; in hospital for two months, 8 males, 10 females. Accounts amounting to £339 9s 2d were passed. The next meeting of the Board to fix the estimates was fixed for 11th April and the ordinary meeting for the 25th. The Grey Hospital Board wrote that no further payments of arrears had been made by the Timber Workers’ Union and no further agreement with the Union, until these payments had been made, was intended. This was approved. Miss M. Downey tendered her resignation as nurse; Mrs Rouse re signed as cook; and Miss J. Merriman resigned as wardsmaid. The Matron reported Mrs Henderson had been appointed cook and Miss G. McAllister as wardsmaid. It was resolved to request of Miss Merriman payment of a month’s salary in lieu of notice. The Minister of Public Health approved of the agreement with the Waiho Public Works Men’s Committee. The Hospital Department advised the total subsidy for the year that the Board would receive would be £2611 8s lid, and stated an advance on next year’s subsidy of £4OO had been granted. The Treasurer reported the advance had already come to hand. Wellington Hospital Board and Hospital Boards’ Association- wrote in connection with the proposed alterations to Hospitals and Hospital Boards districts. A general discussion followed in which Messrs Davidson, Duff, Keenan, the Chairman, Evenden, Elcock and Heenan took strong objection to the proposals brought forward in connection with Dr. Begg’s scheme, ami it was resolved to make a strenuous objection to the proposal being dealt with in a hurry at the present session of Parliament, before proper consideration by Hospital Boards. Mr Jeffries differed from the remarks of the other speakers, being of the opinion that Dr. Begg’s pro posals wore worthy of the very best consideration of the Board.

Mail contracts for Westland for the ensuing two years are as follows:— Hokitika, Ross, Ferguson’s Junction. Main Road, and Waitaha Settlement Road, Pukekura, Evan’s Creek, Hari hari, Tetaho, Matainui, The Forks, Ta taro, Waiho Gorge, and Weheka. 228 miles, thrice weekly, motor car, West Coast Motors, Ltd., £290. Weheka. Karangarua, Bruce Bay. and Alahitahi, 60 miles weekly; and Mahitahi, Haast, and Okuru, 106 miles fortnightly, packhorse, C. Smith, £275. Ross Railway Station and Post Office, 2 miles, as required, coach, J. P. Hansbury, £24. The Forks and Okarito, 10 miles, weekly (two trips), motor car, Harcourt’s Aard Motors, £3O. Junction Main Road and Waitaha Settlement Road and Waitaha, 7 miles, thrice weekly, motor cycle, I). J. Chinn, £45. Kuinara and Tlohonu, 2G miles, weekly, pack horse, Miss M. Nicholas, £2O. Kumara Railway Station, and Post Office, 8 miles, as required, motor bus, A. B. Spiers, £l4O. Kumara and Wainihinihi. 24 miles, twice weekly, motor car, McIntosh and May, £l5. Awatuna Railway Station, Stafford and Goldsborough, 10 miles, thrice weekly (two trips per day), bicycle, Mrs M. A. Routhan, £6O. Harihari and TTerepo (rural delivery), 23 miles, thrice weekly, motor ear, W. Searle, £9O. Hokitika and Hoho (rural delivery), 24] miles, thrice weekly, motor car, Harcourt’s Aard Motors. £125. Hokitika and Okarito, 176 miles, weekly, motor ear, Harcourt’s Aard Motors, £35. Ho kitika, Kanieri, Woodstock and Rimu, 10 miles, daily, motor bus, Mrs G. E. F. Keenan, £6O. Hokitika, Lower

Kokatahi and Koiterangi (part rural delivery), 30 miles, thrice weekly, motor ear, C. T. Woolhouse, £llO. Hokitika Railway Station, Wharf and Post Office, half a mile, as required, horse lorry, J. Cameron, £35.

Ross sheep and cattle saleyards were formally opened yesterday, with a good attendance from the township and adjacent areas. In an inaugural address at 1.30 p.m., Mr J. Murdoch (Mayor of Ross) recalled the origin of the enterprise, and asked the cooperation of outlying districts in maintaining the yards in the future. Messrs W. Jeffries and Co. offered 40 head of cattle, 3 weaner pigs, 3 horses and (i ranis, all of which were cleared at satisfactory prices, as follows: Weaner pigs to 10s, Romney rams 2gns, 3gns and 4gns; light harness mare £2O; draught gelding £I(J 10s; forward beef steers £7, £6 ss, £6; ditto heifers £6 7s 6d, £5 and £4 17s 6d; runner £fi ami £3; empty cows £3 and £2 ss; 18 month steers £2 10s; 2 year heifer £2 19s; cow and runner £5; store runners £2 ss.

'At a meeting last evening of the local Prospecting Association, Messrs A. H. Lawn (chairman), G. Sutherland, S. Hyndman, W. Boyd, J. J. Mclntosh and the Secretary (Mr J Peake) attended A letter from Reefton Association asked the attitude of the Association as to co-operating in a big ait union to raise funds, the proceeds to be equally divided among each Association. In a letter Mr N. Warren made a similar suggestion. Mr Hyndman thought an art union as good a scheme as any. The Chairman understood the next art union for the relief of unemployed. He wondered if they could put forward an art union for prospecting on the Coast solely. It was decided to support the Reefton proposal. Members were of the opinion that if the project were successful, it would have a beneficial effect on unemployment, as well as advancing prospecting on the Coast. Reefton Association wrote asking what steps should bo taken to get representation on the local Unemployment Committee. The Secretary reported that he had replied to the letter. A refutation to the statement that “tents and equipment were going to waste’’ was contained in a letter from the Minister of Public Works, who stated that it was impossible for the Department to assist, as requested by the Association, in the way of supplying tents and tools, as thefe was insufficient stocks to meet the present needs of the Department itself. The Minister of Alines replied to the Association’s inquiry concerning the hanil-borhig plant, stating that the plant in ques tion had already been hired to a min ing company, but would be released by April. The question of setting up small plants would b e considered when the 1932-33 estimates were being framed. In connection with this matter, Mr J. O 'Brien, M.P.. wrote that he considered the reply far from satisfactory, he having received a reply on the same subject from the Minister, as these plants could be made at ver-, little cost. However, he would take the matter up again. It was apparent, wrote Mr O’Brien, that there appeared no prospect of getting a subsidy from the Government. It was decided that an experienced prospector be authorised to look over the country between Rimu and ILL. line, choose his own party, and institute a survey of the district and report on areas which might be likely. The Reefton Association supported the proposal for a subsidy on a £2 to £1 basis. Donations were received from the County Council £5. Borough Council £2 2s, and Mr A. Baker £2 2s. It was reported that there was a sum of £35 in hand. Tn connection with the Association’s application for assistance for Messrs Boyd and Party, the Under-Secretary for Mines, Mr A. 11. Kimbell, replied that the party had been offered a subsidy of £l7 10s, pins 2s a foot for timbering, subject to conditions, which had been submitted to the party. It was stated that this was really a loan, but would not bo required to be refunded if gold were not found. Mr Boyd said the work had ceased in the meantime. It was decided to hold the matter over until the Association had received a report from the party. The Toaroha Track Re-opening Committee was promised every assistance by the Association. The Mines Department advised that its vote for aid to prospectors was practically exhausted, and the Department could not grant the subsidy applied for. The Association could be helpful to the Department if they would nominate suitable areas where men could be employed in fossicking and could obtain some reasonable returns for their efforts. No subsidies were being granted, unless men wore recommended, and the areas approved, and it was intended to early out this practice. Mr Sutherland said they were there to try to find payable areas. Mr Hyndman said a lot of the country was hold up by prospecting licenses. These licenses should be cancelled or the work gone on with. Mr Sutherland said there were several large areas held under freehold, upon which gold might be found. Nothing, however, could be done. Those areas should be made open for mining with a small royalty. It was stated a big stretch of country between Hokitika and Ross, some freehold, had not been thoroughly prospected. Mr Boyd thought it best to let the prospector ehoos e his own locality, and the Association lend its approval or not. Mr I Mclntosh thought, it a good idea for i the prospector to notify the district ' in which ho proposed working to the authorities. The Chairman thought the Department desired to know of some area which the Association might recommend as likely, although not able to give assurance. The matter was held over. It was stated “fossicking’’ was not “prospecting.” Mr Boyd: “It’s a hundred to one that the Minister doesn’t know the difference between the two.” Mr Sutherland suggested the Association send experienced men into the country behind Lake Mahinapua, where likely areas might be found. The Chairman did not think much could be done until assistance was to be had from 1 the Department, and the matter was deferred to the next meeting. It was decided that the Inspector of Mines he asked to inspect a locality at present being |

worked by a prospector, with a view to assistance being given.