HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 August 1934, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA Tugust 20. The survey is in progress for the establishment of landing grounds in South Westland. Captain J. C. Mercer, piloting a Canterbury Aero Club Fox Moth reached here on Saturday afternoon with Messrs Reed and A. O. Wilkinson (Christchurch) as a passenger. He flew to Waiho with Mr Wilkinson, returning early yesterday morning. Again a" 8.20 a.m., yesterday: he left here for Okuru and the Tlaast, with Mr E. S. Reed, land purchase officer, and Messrs T. Smith (district engineer) anti Smart (surveyor). The trip was to complete agreements with the land owners for the use of grounds in lh<* various localities The agreements are ready and are now awa.it ing signature. Mr Smart is stopping at Okuru ami will carry out survey work at Iho Upper Okuru, Mussel Bench and the Haast landing sites. Messrs Smith and Reed were to accompany Captain Mercer back to Mahitahi.

By 2924 points to 288 points, West Christchurch District High School beat Hokitika District High Schoo] in the annual debate held in the Teachers’ Training College Hall, Christchurch on Friday. The subject was-. “That ’« the interests of nation all well-being. Dictatorship is preferable to Democracy.’’ Th e affirmative was taken by West Christchurch, its team comprising A. Mahoney, D Curtis and W. Strachan. The Hokitika team was A. Coles, J. .Hanrahan and T Childs. Several hundred attended. The judge Mr H McD. Vincent, editor of “The Sun.’’ said that the information and arguments put’ forward by the debaters on such a difficult subject was a tribute to the grounding they receive! nt the schools. The best debater was A. Coles, 'Hokitika leader, a very per suasive syeaker, although over-inclined to ornateness of speech. W. Strachan, of West Christchurch, was possibly the most promising for he not only had an excellent voice and a confident personality, but he spoke very clearly and forcefully. Their forwards in the closing stages of thp second spell enabled West Christchurch District High School to beat Hokitika. District High School by 14 points to 13 at South Ilagley Park on Friday last The game was played in bitterly cold weather with rain pelting down must of the time. In the first spell Hokitika, did most attacking, hut West ('hristrhnrch was the first to score. L. Were kicked through ami followed up fast with F. O'Brien, who snapped the ball up near the 25 line, and broke clean away to scor e under t'he posts. A Mahoney converted. A loose rush by the Hoki-

tika forwards enabled M. Morgan to cut through from a scrum near the line and score beside the posts. G. Stapleton converted. The opening of the second spell saw the Hokitika forwards

staging rush after rush into West Christchurch’s 25. The backs were handling better, and two good movements saw Morgan score two more tries. The first was converted, and Hokitika led by 13 points to 5. West Christchurch staged a fine recovery, however, and their forwards swept into Hokitika’s territory. R. Mahoney made two dashes right through th P defence from near half-way, and scored twice. Both kicks missed. Once again Mahoney snapped the ball 'lip and shot a wav on another fine run, which ended in the corner.

Okarito harbour works will soon be in progress. A quantity of piles are on the ground, and a party of workmen, under a foreman is engaged in shoeing the piles a nd other preparatory work. Sawmilling in the southern district is now very active. Several large lorries are operating over the arterial ami district roads, and there is talk of a lurther mill being established at Wait angi.

During the weekend Messrs Murdoch (Acting County Chairman in the absence of Mr (’hesterman), Jeffries, McKay and Donovan, with the County Engineer (Mr W F. Ashley) paid visit to South Westland, -travelling P.s far as Okarito. Various works and private matters were inspected and investigated, and a report to members will be submitted in d'Uig course. ’The Foxton sailed yesterday afternoon for Wellington, timber laden, and the Te Aroha is due here to-morrow. Last week’s rainfall was 5.14 inches and there was 17 : ] hours of sunshine. Motoring in this district is not showing any signs of declining. Up to the present, compared with the same time last year, there has been an increase, of over eighty drivers’ licences issued from: the. local* office. The m.v. Gael arrived in port this afternoon from Greymouth and Wellington. The funeral took place this morning of the late Mr Daniel Greaney. There was a large attendance, including many bandsmen and returned soldiers. The Municipal Band headed the cortege. playing “'rhe Funeral March.” Requiem Mass was celegrated at St. Marv’s Clmreh by Rev. Father () ’Gorman, and the service at the graveside was conducted by Rev. Father ,Healy. The Band, augmented by several Greymouth players, and conducted by Mr W Garth, of Greymouth, played the hymn “Lead Kindly Light.” Bugler Ross then sounded “The Last’Dost. ’’ Complaints have been made about difficulty on the part of some in finding the approach to the new suspension, foot bridge at the -Hokitika Gorge. A guide post on th e Whitcomb Track is necessary for those seeking the crossing. The bridge is well placed and affords -a very fine view' of the beautiful Hokitika River Gorge. It is understood that a shorter and more i direct route to the bridge, is to be provided later. The bridge affords useful access to the south side of the river, and is useful for prospectors working on the beaches above the bridge, wher e small parcels of gold are won from time to time. The country is well worth exploring and a suggestion has now been made to improve the track access for t'he benefit of prospectors.

A. bogey match was played by the Golf Club on Saturday, and was won by T. Stuart one up. The other best, cards were follows: —Brown 2 down.

Childs 2 down, Adamson 2 down, Chesney 3 down, Warren 3 down, Tomlinson 5 down, Steel 5 down, Pain 6 down, Mcdntyre 8 down and Nightingale 8 down. The August ladies’ bogey match was won by Mrs B. Andrewes, 2 down. The following gain points:— Mrs B. Andrewes 2 down, Miss -BiHie Yarral 6 down and Miss King 6 down. Tn the unearned handicap division, the August bogey was won by Miss E. Knight. The following cards were returned: —Miss E. Knight 4 up. Miss E. Cooper 1 up, Miss N. Wormington, all square, Mjss L. Knight 2 down. Miss N. Yairell 2 down, Mrs Jordan 3 down and Mrs A. Thompson *3 down.

South West land rugby representa lives to pay Hokitika at Haiihari are: Backs, R. McMillan, J. Nolan, T. Henhain. Jim Nolan, J. McMillan, J. No’■:in iutml (Vii;nc.ent. Forwards:— : E. Berry, Broadhurst, C. Thiele, Walsh. W. 'Thiele, L. Robertson, G. Berry, Cox (Captain). Emergency backs: Ay,res. T Eord; forwards, Mcßride and Scott Hay is not :vvailable. C. Thiele, who was emergency in the zone game, and tried at lock, fullback and three-quar-ters, was finally included in the front row. Mcßride who looked a certainty, is emergency, Minehan, Brough- and Scott could not have been far short of inclusion. Jim Nolan is tried on the wing, but has been playing inside back all t'he season, and may strike form on the new position. South West la nd game:—The re turn North v South was played at Waiho on Saturday. The North won by 9 points .to 5. The south was weakened by, the absence of H'ay, Walsh and others. For the challengers, Cox was the star forward, with Scott, Hallahan, Rusell and Heveldt playing well. Richardson at half, ;sent the ball out with snap, J Nolan, A. Nolan and Ayres being it he other backs to catch the eye. For the North, the pick of an even pack were Mcßride, Berry brothers, and Minehan, while Thiele was conspicuous in line out play. The backs combined well. Ford, at fullback was weak and llonham, although making some good attacking moves, was repeatedly out of position. Heveldt. cracked his collar bone and was treated by Dr Jenkins. Mr -H. Butland gave the players a short talk on tactics of the game, which was followed by an interesting crowd of players and supporters. The speaker was accorded a hearty vot P of thanks.