HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 31 March 1932, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, March 30. The Westland Racing Club’s Autumn meeting took place to-day at the Hokitika racecourse in ideal weather, there being* a fair attendance. The tote showed a decrease of about £2300 compared with last year, reflecting the hard times prevailing. The Greymouth patronage was much less than usual. The Fulton silver medal for 1931 has been won by Mr A. G. Park, son of the late Mr J. Park of Hokitika. It is awarded annually for the best paper of tho year by a student member of the N.Z. Society of Civil Engineer's. The merit of the papers is judged by the trustees of the Fulton Bequest—a bequest made several years ago by the late Mr J. E. Fulton to tho N.Z. Society of Civil Engineers Mr Fulton who was a leading member of the society was at one time Chief Engineer of the Wellington-Manawatu Railway Company and later had a consulting practice in Wellington. Mr Park is at present on a visit to his t rothers. Rev. G. Knowles Smith who has been »» vice-President of the Westland Competitions Society since their revival six years ago. is to be entertained on Monday afternoon at Preston’s Tea Rooms by the Society's Executive. Second Lieutenant J. B. Renton, son of Mr and Mrs P. Renton, has been ♦ransferred 'from the Nelson, Mat’’, borough and West Coast Regiment to No. 4 (Army Co-operation) Squadron, New Zealand Air Force. H« has been promoted to pilot officer. To increase the facilities for tourist travel a landing ground for aeroplanes »« now being prepared at tho Franz. •Josef Glacier. This is believed ro he the first, case in Now Zealand, where such special provision has been made in a tourist resort. The keenest interest ha* been taken in Mr O. McGregor’s recent flights over tho Franz Josef Glacier, and the Southern Alps. ITis successful mail service flights from Wellington to tho West Coast, linking i'p with Sockburn, have shown the possibilities of aeroplane travel in this region. The recreation ground at th? Glacier has been declared a very sui”ablp area, and the local authorities are now busy preparing the site as a landing-ground. Good progress has been made "ami it is expected that in rhe. near future visits will be made by air to this weTr known tourist centre. Mr ,T. R. Butland, Government representative on the New Zealand Honey Control Board leaves for England by lhe Niagara on April 5, on business connected with the marketing of Now Zealand honey in Britain and on the Continent. Mr Rutland who expect to be absent for six or eight months is a son of Mr and Mrs H. Butland of Gibson’s Quay. Over the week-end a party from Fox

Glacier Hostel, consisting of Captain Crawford and Miss Crawford of Lyttelton, and Miss Ethel Cameron of Umaru, led by Chief Guide Frank Ala k, paid a visit 10 some of the nearby high country. On Sunday they left for Alpine Garden Hut, set in a natural garden profuse with mountain, flowers. They had an enjoyable experience, tn be eclipsed the following day in their further travels in the high country. Tho route taken was a traverse of Craig’s and Sam’s Peaks, and then down Craig’s Creek on to the Pox Glacier, and thence 1o the Wehoka hostel. The trip was accomplished in 13 hours. Guide Alack found it a more interesting trip than tho experience of climbing Mt. Cook. The scenic, view from Craig’s Peak on a lino day is, he considers, unrivalled. Tho weather on Easier Monday was perfectly clear, and a great expanse was to be seen. The guide said be had never seen anything like the view in Canada or elsewhere. Most of the high mountain peaks were visible from tho vantage point of the climbers, be tween Eli de Beaumont and Sefton, with Cook and Tasman in the foreground, and yet apparently quite close. .Miles of forest clad the coast, dotted with lakes like jewels, were also to be seen. Tho head of the Franz Josef, Fox, Balfour and La Perouse glaciers were in the picture, also Cook River gorge. While at Garden ITut, the party at night burned signal flares to the hostel people below. Captain Craw

: ford considered the trip the most remarkable experience of his life, ano the sights and scenery from the hilltops,” tTie finest in his knowledge. Tho Ross Sports took place yesterday, a large crowd attending, T'ne chief event was the underhand chop, II inch log. Out of 40 nominations 31 started in two heata. The competitors included many of Ihe old champions and the finishes reflected great credit on the handicapper, Mr J. Flaherty, the starling being in the cap able hands of Mr J. Davern. The ball in the evening was also a hugh success the takings exceeding those of last year by £6- The Ross Orchestra supplied the music on tho sports ground and also for the dance, their playing as usual being highly appreciated. The following are the results of the sports. —lOO yds. Maiden Footrace. —W. J. McNabb 1, F. Tloveldt 2, J. Heveldt 3. Maiden Chop. 12in log.—.T.Green and J. Nissen dead heat 1, T 7. Wright 3. Fifteen started. Boys’ race.—A. ATincenl 1. R. Donaldson 2. 120 yds Sheffol(L—lst heat.—G. Monk 1, T. Kelly 2. 2nd heat. —A. Barrett 1, R. Richards 2. Final.—G. Monk 1. A. Bar’ett 2. T. Kelly 3. Upright Chop.— •st Glass 1. J. Gugieh 2. A Wilson 3. 2nd heat —D. Bannister 1, T. Cron 2. J. 1.. Stewart 3. Final.—D. Bannister 1. T. Cron 2, A. Wilson 3. Nineteen started. Stopping Competition.—F. Churchill 1, G. A. Cooper 2. Local handicap chop.—A. Hedwig 1, M. Nolan 2, IT. Arnold 3. Twelve competed. 100 yds. Handicap footrace —<’G. Monk 1, A. Barrett 2. Twelve eomneted. Underhand Chop, 14in loir Jst heat.—T. Cron 1, D. Groary 2, J Bannister 3, J. Gugieh 4. Also start ed; C. Noamo, W. Blackman, T. AdamI son. IT. Williams, W. Ryan, J. Dow, 1 J McLean, R. Gugieh, J. H. Jackson, G. A. Cooper, J'. Fahey, W. WrighG 2nd heat —-C. Glass 1, D. Bannister 2, P. Hewer 3, J. Nissen Also started: L. J. Williams/W. Johnson, J. L. Stew]art, A. Wilson, W. Bannister, J. Glass,

R McMillan, J. Walsh, E. Jones, E. Hedwig, Eric Mitchell. Final. —J. Gug ich ’l, T. Cron 2, Jas. Bannister 3 I Married Ladies race.—Mrs I*. Murphy 1, Mrs Eatwe.ll 2. Single ladies rae •. -Miss N. Oates 1, Miss F. Donalds-. 1 2. Bowling at wicket.—J. Jones. Quoits. —J. Bannister 1, J. Scott 2 Guessing height of pclc.--G. Heveli.t i, J. Pethig 2. Height of pole vvns 30ft 4in. Winner guessed 30ft 3in.