HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 13 June 1935, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

HOKITIKA, June 12.

The death occurred this morning- at St. Columbkille’s Convent of Mercy, Hokitika, of Sister Mary Bernard. She was a daughter of the late Sergt.Major McDonald, who was in. charge of the Hokitika police district over 25 years ago, since when she had been a member of the Convent, and was in her forty-eighth year. She had had a lengthy illness, which was borne with great fortitude. She leaves five brothers, one of whom is the Rev. Father A. McDonald, S.M., Parish Priest of St. Mary’s, Christchurch; and one married sister, residing in the North Island. The funeral takes place on Friday morning.

There was a light fall of snow here yesterday evening, between 9 and 10 o’clock, following a sprinkling a few hours earlier. To-day the weather has been sunny, after a very frosty dawn, the mountains and lower ranges being revealed with a magnificent coat of snow. The bush of the foothills was well sprinkled; but lower down it was only in a few places, sheltered from the sun, that there could be seen any frozen remnant of the snow.

Basketball matches to be decided on Saturday at All Saints’ courts are:— Section A—2.30: Old Girls A v. St. Mary’s A; 2.45; Old Girls B v. School A. Section 8—1.45: School C v. St. Mary’s B; 2.0: Kokatahi v. Ross; 3.15: School B v. Ross. At 2.30 p.m. a practice match will be played between Kokatahi and St’ Mary’s A. This will be followed by a Possibles and Probables match.

Kokatahi Women’s Institute elected Miss R. Wieblitz as secretary, receiving with regret the resignation, of Miss Meharry. Several new members joined, and 27 partook of afternoon tea, the hostesses being Mesdames Sherriff, Woolhouse and Kelly. Tray making was demonstrated by Mesdames Appleton, Collett and Stevenson. The monthly meeting of the Progress League was held last evening: Present; Dr. E. Teichelmann (chairman), T. W. Duff, E. Park, W. Jeffries, W. E Richards, J. J. Mclntosh, F. McGregor, D. J. Evans, 11. G. F. Coles (secretary). The question of the tourist publicity campaign arose, and the chairman referred to the visit recently of Messrs Clibborn, Stewart and Brittenden. It was resolved to find Hokitika’s quota of £4O. Mr Mclntosh raised the ques tior. of a camping ground for .tourists at Waiho. He said they camped at any place along the road, leaving behind refuse, and destroying the scrub. There was a reserve at the south of the Waiho bridge. lie moved that the Lands Department be asked to set

apart five acres for a camping ground at South Waiho. Seconded by Mr Jeffries and carried. Mr Jeffries referred to the muddy state of the approach to Sea View railway station. It was resolved to ask the Railway Department to have the matter attended to. The District Engineer of Railways advised he was not prepared to plank the Hokitika railway bridge at the cost of the Department, but would be prepar ed to carry .out the work if the Highways Board paid for it. It was decided to refer the reply to the Public Works engineer. It was decided to refer to Railway engineer the matter of providing signals for trains crossing the bridge. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £5 13s. One small

account was passed for payment. At the County Council meeting yesterday satisfaction was expressed that £5O had been granted by the Public Works Department for improving Bruce Bay landing road. Mr J. O’Brien M.P., wrote regarding Fox River bridge and Main South Road, advising there would be no further discussion until the return of Hon. J. G. Coates from England. He suggested a deputation be sent to Wellington to further the proposals on Mr Coates’ return. Cr. Dale stressed the necessity for erecting the bridges, mentioning the big attraction this improved route access would have for tourists. The Tourist Department wrote favourably on the same matter. C. L. Renton was given permission to run a transmission lino

across the road at Wataroa. F. W. Selby and others wrote asking Council’s consideration with respect to increase in salary. After consideratioi it was decided not to make any alteration. Hura Creek Prospecting Syndicate, Greyinouth, asked assistance in making a road to property. —Referred to the Mining Executive with a recommendation. Mr J. O’Brien, ALP. wrote reporting on his recent visit to Okuru and stating small grants were required for road improvements: Haast-Okuru £lOO, Jackson Bay-Okuru £5O, Turn' bull River track £5O, and these mat ters were being submitted to the Min ister of Public Works. The chairman thought the Council could support Mi O’Brien’s requests. Toaroha Springs Improvement Committee suggested the temporary wire bridge at Malfroy’s, Arahura, when main bridge is restored, be made available to the Committee for a necessary crossing over Kokatahi River en route to Toaroha Springs.— The chairman said he thought the re quest would be favourably considered. The general rate was fixed at four shillings in the pound. It was reported the cost of the County elections was £l2l 5s 9d. The Commissioner of Unemployment advised the Board was awaiting a report from the Public Works Department re repairs to Callery track, and if approved special rates would be paid, married men 37s Cd and singles men 22s 6d per week. Members criticised the wage, saying it was small. The Commissioner asked the amount of labour involved in the proposed extension of La Fontaine road to mill works at mouth of Big Wanganui River. It was stated the Engineer’s estimates was £lB4l. At t-he monthly meeting of the Westland County Council, Councillors B. Ward (Chairman), A. Dale, J. Donovan, J. J. AlcKay., T. Chesterman., N. H. Brown, W. A. Jamieson, J. A. Alurdoeh and W. Jeffries attended. A letter was read that had been sent out to the manager of a sawmill comapny. operating at Kokatahi. concerning dangerous stacking of timber, etc. The Chairman reported that he had visited the site and was surprised to find the position as it was, and a reply had not been received from the company. Crs. Jamieson and Chestennan also referred to the nuisance. The Chairman said the sawdust was the chief nuisance. The Chairman stated a complaint had been made to him concerning the Waimea Creek near Stafford, and he had informed the complainant that the matter was one for the Highways Board. At the request of Cr. Murdoch it was resolved to repair the Chesterfield track., and at the request of Cr. Chesterman, the Enginere was re quested to report on Bruce Road, Kanieri Forks. Cr. N. Brown asked for a better turnout from R’chardson Road, to the Main Road. —Cr. McKay said the turnout was notoriously bad..

—lt was resolved that the corner re ferred to be improved. At the request' of Cr. Brown, it was also decided to remove a small rise in the road in tho township of Wataroa. The Chairman reported that Air Latta, representing the Native Unemployment Department, had visited Aralhura and with him had inspected the Valley, and discussed the situation. Mr Latta said he hoped to obtain £3OO for protection work approved by the Engineer. He promised to write to the Farmers’ Union and confirm the offer. No letter has yet been received, ft was resolved that if no reply is received from Air Latta a request be made to the Minister know what is being done in the matter