HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 4 May 1935, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, May 3. At the Children’s Court to-day, Magistrate Morgan admonished a nine-year-old Arahura Maori boy, who recently . died the Westinghouse brake on a stall'nary train nt Arahura station.

A line of 10s and costs was imposed on W. O’Brien for driving an unlighted lorry and leaving it in a public place. A fine of £2 with costs was imposed in a case which Newman's Motors Ltd., were charged with permit ting a, tarpaulin, belonging to the Rail ways Department, to remain in their possession. After evidence by the Stationmaster (Mr Henderson), Sergeant King said defendants were of the opinion it was the property of a mining company, whose gear they had transported to South Westland, and which had been left in their lorry, and that it hud previously been condemn ed by the Department. The licensee of the Dunedin Hotel, W. Hall was lined £2 and costs for selling liquor after hours, and Frederick Hall was similarly fined for supplying, being other than the licensee. who was absent from Hokitika at the time. Eric Broadbent was orderered to pay H. AL Coulson the sum of £6 11s 3d and costs, in default twenty-one days’. Four persons found on licensed premises after hours were lined 15s each with costs.

With good acceptances, Westland Racing Club expect a. large attendance to-morrow at their meeting, which starts at 12.30 p.m. Hon. S. G. Smith and party are expected to attend. All football fixtures are postponed. Pirate Football Club, at a meeting to decide whether to continue in the senior competition, resolved to do so. A severe cut in the right ankle, as the result of his axe slipping, was sustained by William Barry, while working in the bush at Wataroa. The ligaments of the ankle were cut. The bonus granted by the Unemployment Board to mark the King’s jubilee is now being distributed in this district. The amount for the Westland County totals £72. The Westland County Council has voted £4O for country schools to hold celebrations for the .King’s Jubilee. About thirty schools share in the grant. May 10th. when holidays begin is suggested as the occasion for the school celebrations, to include a suitable address, the saluting of the Flag, and the planting of a native tree in the school ground to be tendered as a memorial of the occasion.

The Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry, an nounces it has been decided to ob serve Friday. May Jllth, as the jubilee heliday and celebration, particulars of which will be given later. The annual meeting of the Hokitika D. I l.'s. Ex-Pu pi Is ’ A.sso c<i ati o n wa s held in the Town Hall last evening Air J. L. Menzies presiding over a fair attendance. A report of the year’s activities was read, and the balanceshet showed a small credit balance, which was considered to be satisfactory for the inaugural year. The following officers were elected:—Patron, T'he Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry (re-elect-ed); President. Air J. L. Alenzies freelected): Vice-Presidents, Messrs J. 11. I - .. Schrolrh'r and W. E. Williams (reelected); and Mr A. R. Elcock; Secretary, Aliss E. Robinson (re-elected); I reasurer, Air IL M. Coulson (reelected); Auditor, Mi- M. 11. Houston (re-elected); Committee, Air G. Dellridge (re-elected); Miss Linklater, and Messrs A. J. Keller an'd E. E. Richards. 'l’he Association decided that, if necessary, if would find the badges for the prefects each year at the school. Mr J. H. E. Schroder outlined his notice of motion, which was to be brought up at the next meeting, and spoke strongly to the effect that all expupils from the primary departments as well as the secondary department should be eligible for membership in the Association, i]t was decided to write congratulating Air Northcroft, an old boy of (he school, on his being appointed to a Judgeship.

As the result of an axe slipping, whilst she was cutting wood on Wednesday, Mrs L. Hunt, of the Beach iRd. Kumara, practically severed one her big toes. She was removed to the Westhind Hospital. Whilst skating at Kumara. a young man, Philip Ilenham, fell and broke his right wrist. He was taken to the Grey mouth Hospital. The Hon. S. G. Smith, Minister for Education and Employment, accompanied by Air Bromley, Deputy-C’ha'i rnian uf the Unemployment Board, arrived yesterday. Air Bromley, with Alessrs W. Shandly and Mcßride, of the Board’s staff also arrived from Greymouth. The visitors were welcom-

ed by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., and Air J. A. Murdoch on behalf of the Mining Executive and local bodies. It is the Alini.ster’s first visit to the district, and he expressed pleasure at being here, and he hoped during his stay Air O’Brien would see that he (the Minister) wtvs duly initiated as a full Hedged West Coaster. The party is staying at Keller’s Hotel and last evening, members of local bodies, educational authorities, and officials of the Aero Club met the Minister. The Aero Club members, supported by Messrs O’Brien and Murdoch, waited on Hon. S. G. Smith, regarding the hurrying up of the works on the local aerodrome. As Alinister of Employment. Air Smith was asked to place a camp here, so that men could be sent from other parts, and work proceed at full time. 'There was a, scarcity of local labour under the present arrangements, and the work was making very slow progress. Messrs IL T. Parry, Renton. Lawn ami Mercer supported the request. 'The Minister, while fully sympathetic, said the Board could not provide all the fund for full-lime work, lie realised the importame of the landing ground, but with the few employable here under No. 5 Scheme there was a difficulty. Al New Plymouth

there wore about 300 men at work at. the same scale of time as hero, but the extra number made all the difference. The men up north were quite satisfied ami earned a good daily rate. At. Gisborne, the scheme was not attractive though the labour was there, but the men asked for full time. A more elastic scheme was before Cabinet. Mr Mercer detailed the most urgent work before the major scheme, and some extra men would enable the work to Im pushed on. 'The need for more work ■ n the - southern landing grounds was stressed also. 'There likewise, there was a dearth of unemployed labour. 'The Minister congratulated the district on absoi 'ing so much of the local labour in other avenues. He promised to see what he could do on returning to Wellington. The Minister to-day visited the aerodrome, and the High School, and then went to see. the. Humph rev’s Gully water race extension works. Air J. O’Brien this evening introduced a deputation to the Minister

at the County Chambers from the Min ing Executive and County Coun<-il. It is hoped the Alinister will be able to inspect Arahura settlement flood damage to-morrow morning, and visit the races in the afternoon. He then goes to Waiho. At the school Air Smith had deputations. The School Committee asked an increased capitation grant, particularly with regard to the second ary department. Mr Smith said he would give the matter thorough consideration. 'The High School Board asked if sanction could lie given to the utilisation of its funds for the benefit ef children attending the secondary department. The Minister said he could not see much .hope of this being done, but he would go into the matter fully. The Kokatahi School Committe asked if a. subsidy on the new school grounds could be given. Mr Smith said this could not. he done, but a small grant might be made.