HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 April 1933, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, April 14. Increasing concern is felt as to the effect of the silting of the Hokitika river alongside the wharf, and this less in regard to shipping than to the blockage of drains from Brittan and Sale Streets. The Borough Foreman, Mr F. Chesterman. reported to the Borough (’ouneil at this week’s meeting that piles of gravel had been loft at the river outlets of the drains from those streets, and to some extent at the drains of other streets, while other drains still had an adequate fall into the stream, at low tide. Extra debris was being left along the town waterfront by each tlood. A lot of expense would be needed to divert water from the middle channel into the wharf channel, a substantial wingdam being required to be started ut the top of Mclntosh’s Island, by mean.s, of piles and fascine bundles loaded with stone to divert the water to the top of Butland’s Island. The latter Island would be itself eroded unless it were protected. There was from 18 to 20 feet of water in the middle channel at the railway bridge, whereas on the wharf channel at the corresponding point there was only a couple of feet. Continued shoaling in the latter would cause serious difficulty with the drains. The Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry considered the altering of the river too big an undertaking for the Council itself to finance, and at present he did not think it worth while doing anything. The middle channel was now coming gradually over to the north channel, although most people did not realise to what extent, and. in view of the great expense involved, and the likelihood of inadequate results from any outlay within their scope, he could see no justification for any immediate action. Cr. Elcock said the Harbour Board and County Council could be asked to co-operate. Cr. Heenan said the Sale Street drain would be blocked. An engineer had reported £l2OO would be needed to divert the river. The Railway Department would not depart from its Engineer’s recoinmen- ; dation regarding the bridge. The I local bodies could be called together to consider what action might be taken. The Council decided to take no action at present.

Ths entries for the local Competitions will not close till April 22. The Borough Council, in view of the police objection, declined to allow an extension till IL p.m. of the time during which billiard saloons may remain open. The Council granted the Rugby Sub-TTnion’s application to be allowed to charge on sixteen days during the season for admission to matches at Cass Square. Cr. ,T. King was appointed the Council’s representative on the High School Board, and Mr W. Braddon was re-appointed to the Fire Board. The Treasurer reported that receipts for the period amounted to £233 13s 4d, and expenditure to £447 3s sd. The district fund account a debt of £685 19s. Accounts amounting to £666 2s 4d were passed

for payment. At the High School annual sports the outstanding performer was 11. O. Bradley, whose five firsts : n the 220. 440 and 880 yards. P n I I hr mile and long jump, will not doubt stand as a record for some time. G. Johnston showed promise in jumping, and with experience will register some good feats. C. Cox also performed well. The senior championship was won by Bradley (26 points) with Cox runner-

up (13 points). The junior championship was won by Norman Rowe, who secured 19 points. R. Donaldson was runner-up with 16 points, ami A. Gillman third with 13. The senior girl champion was Tess Ale Mullan (10 points), with Betty Cooke runner-up (seven points). The junior girls’ championship was won by Betty McCarthy with 13 points, May Wallace being runner-up with eight points. Work done by the Borough Council staff last month was as follows: Tancred Street drain was taken to the five chain peg, over one hundred 18in. concrete pipes being laid. The men recovered 50ft of six inch earthenware pipes and a number of nine inch pipes, and dug out seven 18in. pipes from the corner of Hampden and J ollie Streets, the drain being filled in. Repairs were made to a leak in the pipes crossing the Left Hand Creek bridge, and one on Slip Hill, and one at Stewart’s Crossing near Stribbling Creek. A bad leak occurred in Revell Street, this being repaired. New pipes were put in the water main in Tancred Street, and a blocked drain cleaned in the Quay. A burst pipe was repaired in Stafford Street, and a water service was renewed in Sewell Street. A slip occurred on the Lake road, carrying the pipes apart, requiring three pipes to be replaced. A number of leaks were repaired about town. The depth of water in the reservoir for the month was 6ft lOin. The unemployed were engaged on various works in and about the borough.

Prospecting subsidy applications granted by the County Council Executive this week were: Brown Bros., Kanieri, timber for shaft; IT. Meihana, transfer of subsidy from Wataroa to Arahura River; T. Rasmussen, Goldsborough, granted eight weeks’ subsidy from Ist May; Wilmot, extension eight weeks from 24th April, conditional on returning to claim immediately; Griffiths and Robertson. 3 picks and handles; W. Shields, eight weeks from 24th April; Baker and Timms, Karangarua, extension of eight weeks from Ist May; A. Stevens, extension eight weeks from April 24; 11. Neilsen, Waiho, £1 for timber; W. White, use of rope; R. Fleming, renewal of subsidy; D. Ryan, Rimu, eight weeks from April 24; A. Clark, Stafford, eight ■weeks’ subsidy for work with E. McMurtrie’s party; W. C. Johnstone, eight weeks’ further grant from April 10; F. Parker, eight weeks’ further grant from April 10; F. A. Ledgard, Hokitika, eight weeks from April 15 at Wataroa River with Clark and Stevens; D. Feeney, Blue Spur, eight weeks from April 24 to prospect deep ground of Blue Spur gutter; J. Mcßae and J. I.atham, eight weeks from April 24 at Mt. Camelback; R. P. Hanrahan, Goldsborough, eight weeks from April 24 to drive a tunnel; A. A. Barron, Goldsborough, eight weeks’ further grant from April 24; W. and L. White, eight weeks from April 24 to prospect at head of Wataroa river, also two tent flys; C. G. Farron and A. Mitchell, Harihari, eight weeks from April 24 to prospect lower reaches of "Wataroa River; T. J. Knowles, Rimu, eight ■weeks from April 24, to' drive tunnel; D. Clifton, eight weeks from April 24; J. F. Cooper, grant to prospect north side of Wataroa River; E. Heenan, eight weeks, if eligible; Holley, eight weeks, subject to permission of overseer of ground; D. Thorpe, subsidy fixed; Thorpe, Simpson and Moore, tools. Other applications not decided were: W. Gooch, account for cartage of stores ami gear; C. E. Cron, Kokatahi, account for packing supplies on account of Bushor and Homan; Neilsen, Waiho Gorge,

cubsidv renewal; G. Drummond. Pukckur:i, 'subsidy (to register ami send particulars); It. S. M Lean, k uniat a, subside for prospering; R- H. Dur ham. assistance to prospect up Vat.i roa ’Biver, to register; .T. D. Freitas Woodstock, subsidy; Anderson and Partv, tools; B. .1. Stewart. Hokitika, re Humphreys Gully water race. It was decided to advise the Unemployment Commissioner that the Executive desired tn have insurance cover effected as soon as possible, and regarding payment of subsidies, that the County Council would pay all men possible on the ordinary No. 5 Wages Sheet. It was decided to order two dozen 12x10 tents and Uys from the Public. Works Department. Mr J. ACooper forwarded his report, on work done at. Wataroa district; also Taipo district, and various reports. The Secretary. Miners’ Association. Kumara, enquired if the Executive could procure use of a boring machine; failing that, enquiring if ail neeessarv equipment could be supplied. It was agreed that any reasonable request for gear by eligible men would receive consideration.