HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1934, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, May 3. The friends of Mr and M*'s John' Bernhard, Kanieri, .will regret Io • earn of the death of their infant daughteri al the Hospital t'o-day. The Poultry Club will hold Ils Show on July 2(1 and 21 The principal prizes at yesterday s chrysiint hemum show here were won by the following: Most points in flowers, 11, Fitzgerald; Lerch Cup (cooking) .won outright. Mrs E. Howitt; Society’s Cup (vegetables) won outright. A. -Groufsky; Giud'eii Cup (outside grown Howers) Mrs A. Groufsky; Jackson (’up (Japanese chrysanthemums) J Lincoln; Coni .'■'••Il ('up (single chrya nt hemums i Mrs M. McGavin: special trophy, best six blooms, P. Dav (Nelson). Disapproval at the fee of £2 2s charged by the department for lea\ ing certificates, mas expressed bv Mr R. Pedder at the School Committee meeting last evening. The Rector (Mr J. 1.. Menzies) said this certificate gave those in a secondary school for three years something io show for their work. Previously, matriculation had been the only qualification. It was resolved to request the delegate to the West Coast School Commit tees ’ Association i* protest. The Canterbury Education Board advised that a refresher .-ours in physical culture for teachers would be held in the Hokitika School on June 7, 8. and 9, and sanctioned (losing the schools on those dates. The Board regretted no payment can be made for thp transport of teach ers to the centre. The Reciter Deported a poor attendance during the month, du.e to sickness. Xursr Robertson reported 177 operations al the clinic during April. Children from the Hokitika, Kailiinu and Convent Schools had been treated during tin month. Owing to the c.onl nurd breaking of windows, it was decided to ask the Board to cover all of them with wire netting. The Competit'on Societv has in hand preparations for its festival. Opening on Thursday next at Al' Saints’ Hall, it extends over four days. At the Harbour Board meeting last evening, the Signalman reported the (haniU'i was good running in a north west, direction, with a depth of II • < 12 feet, with a good tdiannei. Ac counts totalling £522 19s 6*l w-n passed. The Chairman, Mr E. W • lb'enan, reported on wharf arrange meats made and on repairs to be completed as soon as the decking was received from the mill. The wharf in front of the shed required earlv attention In connection with a failure 4 to remove benzne shipments promptly from the wharf, th** (‘hairman and Seciretarv reported ar lion was taken, which wsis apptoved. Hokitika Town (Jerk wrote in reference to accident to an unemployed man injured on wharf aa<| ask tig fopart icualrs of earnings. It was de cided to obtain 300 sound red pine The retirement on superannuation of Mr F. MarUni. from his position as attendant at Seaview Mental Hospital was made the occasion for ? ideasing gathering at that institution on Tuesdav even’ng. A large number of the staff am| their friends wore present, the hall being tastefully decorated fo*ri tin* occasion. D" Childs (Medical Superintendent') presided and paid a li'gli tribute to Mr Afartini and his faithful work during his 16 year s as an attendant All regretted that the lime had arrived for h's retirement, and as a tokei of thp good wishes o- - tin* staff In asked Mr Martini to accept from them a we'd filled .wallet. Air Dale head attendant, supplemented th* doctor's remaiks. Mi Martini thank ed the staff for the kind sentiment expressed and present. A 'adies romiuii-.tee supplied .-upfvr, aft**: which dancing was indulged in unH' midnight. At the Harbour Board meeting. A' E. W Heenan reported .hi lhewoiT of th< Board’s deputation in the i" forest of port improvement re.-euih ::1 Wellington, when Mr '1 . X. War ten and himself, together ■with th .Member for AVestiland. Air J. O’Brien waited on Hon. J Biti-hener, tl:« Unemployment Board, and Hon. J. G. Cobbe. Mr O'Brien had givethem all the assistance that was pos sible, and Mr Bitc.h-ener gave them a. good hearing. They told him th Board required a grant of £lOOO. also the Use of pile driving gear. The Minster stated that, after the on gineer in chief had been consulted, the amitiuif of monetary assistance could be arranged. With regard to the use of pile driving gear, the De part merit would lend th s to th Board at a peppercorn rental. Th next interview was with the Lnem ployment Board. There were presen tit the meeting Mr Jessep (Deput Chairman), Messrs Bromley, Me Kenzie and the Commissioner, AL Godfrey The Board was well equipped w‘th particulars of the schemt ar.d plans of the work were pace* before them. A Request was mud* for a subsidy of £3 for £1 on alabour required, including the Inborn in getting the piles. After a ver.x exhaustive d»‘h:ite on the whole mat ter, the Board finally agreed to find ■>() pe r cent, of labour costs on th* pile dr'ving .work. provided uneni played men with three or more chi*dren were employed full time a' standard rates of pay. The Bonn 1 also agreed to subsidise the contract , for securing the piles, provid ng un employed men obtained the con tracts Af.r O’Brien endeavoured to arrange a meeting with the Ministe' or F nance, but this could not be managed, owing to pressure of Cab hint business. With Air Cobbe they had a very free discussion. ITe replied that he was anxious to assist, but h : s Department had not mudmoney. However, if could approach the Minister of Finance for special assistance, but it would be necessary to modify the plans somewhat No, ] scheme provided for u piled

wa.ll from the head of Butland’s Island to Houston’s farm, the wall to consist: of three, rows of piles, estimated to cost £lB,OOO Xo. 2 scheme provided t'o-r a. piled wall from tin head of Butland’s Is-'Tuid and continuing straight across the middle channel to Mclntosh’s Island, ami rvnning parallel. to the railwa.v bridge, the wall to be effective only to half liiFc iev/el. 'Estimated, cost. £.1G,000. This scheme was I lie out) recommended b\- the 1'.W.1) expert (Mr Woods). As both schemes were beyond the linam-es of tin- Board and the Government, it- was finally decid ed to recommend a scheme costing £4,000. and |.i have I Io- Public Works Department submit plans ami csli mates of cost. If this could be .ir ranged, and the f'dlowing gianlleade, an earlv start could be made: Harbour Board £lOOO. I’.W.D. sub : idy £lOOO, Mairine Department XlOtk. and Unemployment Board £lOOO. Th* matter is now readv for presentation I*9 the various departments, and on behalf of the Board, Air Heenan de sired to extend to Mr J. O'Brien their very best thanks for his help and assistance at all times. It was an arduous task but the bulk oi the work fell to Mr O'Brien and lu handled the situation with credit I* the Board and district. The Engii* eer in Chief. Wellington, wrote a> folloiws:—Regarding your Boa rd's proposal to provide for the construction of 5 chains *of training wa! from the head of Borland’s Island, i have to advise that this depart men estimates the cost as follows; Training wall 5 chains long. 3 roiws oi piles—material, freight, etc. £ c '2( | , labour £1915. total £2735; (iabi*». mattress at. head of wall, 10<> cubic yards—material. freight, etc, £4 9. liabour £(io, total £3 00; Gabion work associated with the first chain of Ihe wall—material, freight, etc £.)4, laiour £Bl. total £135; Gabion work immediately be’.'ow* the wall on the south side of Butland’s Island—material, freight, ; e*tc. £54, labours!, total £135; contingencies .1(1 pc cent. —material, freight. etc. £9«, labour £214, total £311; grand total: —materials, fre'ght, etc;. £l<>Gs. lab our £2351, total £3-lUi. A general (I i-scussi’on took piac* 4 . th* 1 Chairman stating that the Engineer in Chief am] Air Wood, river expert of th Public. Works Department, had vis ited Hokitika at. the week-end and had made an inspect ion ,of ’b* l T* os i’ tion. As a. result the\ had decided to submit amended plans, and these should come to hand in a week •' ten davs. If. 'was resolved that ae tion be *l<‘fcrred till the new reporl carno to hand, and that in tin 4 meantime an inquiry be made for the sup plv of piles for the proposed work. A vote of thanks was passed 1" tnmembers of the deputation lor theii good work, on the motion of Messrs Stuart, and Houston, After further discussion on (he subject, the meeting adjourned, the Chairman intimating he would call a speical meetimwhen the report came (o hand At the monthly meeting of the Franz Josef Women's Institute Mrs 1.. Gibb presided. A competition for six best plain scones was won by Airs J. Pope Each member was asked to bring some hand work, and this was most interesting. The entertainment for tlr.> evening was in the capable hands of Sister Mem-e. Alissas Himmsell and D. Graham. Sister Meuro recited, and the remainder -of the hnlf hour was spent in charades. Supper was served bvi Mrs J. Graham and Mis s K. Graham, who were hostesses for tin 4 evening.