HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 9 July 1935, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, July 8. The weather has been fine and sunny for the past couple of days. There was practically no rain last week, while there was over 37 hours of sunshine. An area or 298 acres, being Secs. 3591-2 and 3692, B:k. VIII, Okarito S.D., Crown Land, has been exempted from the provisions of the Mining Act. Gillespie’s Beach dredge is now on better ground, last week’s return being again a good one, exceeding 73 ounces. The success which attended the first Ingleside of the recently revived West land Scottish Society in the Soldiers’ Hall on Friday augurs (well for the future welfare of '.his body. There was ;i urge and enthusiastic crowd in at tendance. The public are looking forward to to-morrow night’s appearance here of the Greymouth Piaylovers Coy., in “Good Morning, Bill,” which is be iug staged in aid of the Competitions Society. The performers are a clever combination, and the play one that must have a general appeal. The scene of the play is laid in England, first in a hotel at Margate, and the second in a manor house in Hampshire. Miss Thelma McDougall takes the principal lady part, supported by Miss D. Donovan, and the male parts are filled by the following well-known performers: Messrs W. and P. McN. Bayley, J. McDonald and Miss P. Knight. The play will be produced by Mrs Dickson, and Mr C. Garner is the stage manager. Appropriate music wvi 1 be supplied by the Victoran Band, under the leadership of Miss D. Robinson. Messrs McCabe (president) and Lindsay (secretary) of Ihe Competitions Society, have been empowered to make all necessary arrangements to ensure the performance being staged to the best advantage. The Acclimatisation Society at its meeting granted permits for opossum trapping on their own property to W H. Neame, Wainihinihi; AV. Thompson. Ross; A. AV. McNeill. Ruatapn; D. C. Finch, Awatuna; R. J. Bradley, Arahura; and F. J. Andrews. Hokitika. Opossum licenses were issued to I). Conning, Totara; C- Cron. Kokalahi; AV. Owens, Kanieri; A. Singer, Kanieri; J. Sarch. Hokitika; G. T. Tainui, Arahura; A. Gold, Arahura; A. J. Wallace, AV. Tinctti. Wainihinihi; and R. Wilson. Ross. The Tourist and Internal Affairs Departments advised they could make, the society no free grants of rainbow trout ova. Mr J. S. Main. Ku row, forwarded 100,000 quinnat eyed ova. The Department of Internal Affairs wrote relative to the allocation of the 1934 opossum season revenue. It .was decided to associate with the other .societies in a protest against the action of the Government in depriving the societies of the opossum revenue. Game, licenses were issued to A. H. Batten, Poole and R. Ford. The County Council at Saturday’s meeting received a letter from Mr Jas. O’Brien. M.P., reporting On his interview with the Minister of Public Works at Wellington regarding the Estimates, in which Mr Webb. M.P., supported the request made, but regretting the result was not satisfactory altogether, and further representations woudd be made. —Received with thanks for the efforts made on beha’f of the district. The County Council has received advice from thw Native Department that £3OO is availab’e for relief of unemployed in connection with the flood damage at- Arahura, subject to the scheme of work being approved by rhe Public Works Departm n nt. The council is awaiting approval of proposals by the Department. A conference was held to-day regarding the menace to the town arising from floods in the river. There were present, Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), McNair. (Railway Engineer), G. Heinz. A. Thompson, E. Teichelmann. 11. L. Michel, E. Park. T. W. Duff. A. R. Elcock and 11. G. F. Co'es (representing th (( Borough Council), and M. Houston (chairman), J. J. Mclntosh. AV. E. Richards, and R. Wild (representing the Harbour Board). TheMayor said there was no way by which the flood waters could get away from the low-lying areas of the town. The question was how to let this water escape. The last visitation had been not only injurious to the town, but also to the foundations of the goods shed on the wharf. Mr Mclntosh said the level of the water in the town at high tide had been from five t<» s’x f ct above the level of the river. Mr Houston said he though' some big out’el nrght be made at the transit shed, or better, perhaps, on? at Sewell Street. Shingle deposited by ‘he Department in the past few years had raised the level of the river bed. and h< considered this responsible for the overflow of the river into the town. The railway line embankment was only a few feet from the river's • dge. It would be preferable to stop the water from coming in than get Hug it away afterward. He thought the best thing would be to make t large outlet under the rai’way line on Hm> embankment. Mr McNair thought this iwould be quite practicable. The Mayor suggested raising the embank'•nt from the railway bridge upstream, thus forming an effective stop '•'•ink. Mr McNair estimated the cos’ of this would not be much more than £2OO. He did not consider the De partment could be held responsible for the flooding. The shingle was put in only when there was a big scour—they had no other option. Experience had shown that the shingle wears down. Mr Mclntosh said the shingle must sooner or later find bottom, and would then mount up. Mr McNair considered the shing’e might be removed by lator floods. Few complaints had been made in the past, very little damage having been done. He would meet the authorities in any wav he eoulfi, but could not commit his Department to any expenditure. Mr McIntosh criticised the design of the traffic bridge, stating wider spans were on the outside, find the smal' ‘•nans in the centre. The latter col lifted much driftwood and in flood time, causing the damage to the bridge. Mr McNair agreed to the proposals to raise the embankment, stating the Department would assist >’■ lifting (he track, while there would bp no objection to an outlet underneath. Mr McNair also promised to make representations recarding an improvement in the signalling system on the traffic bridge for the benefit, of traffic. The Golf Club’s Canadian foursome on Saturday resulted: McCabe and Darby (12) 4 down, Mclntosh and Millen (16) 4 down. Rees and Wyles (15) 5 down, Tomlinson and T. Stuart (15) 5 down. Pain and Brown (11) 8 down, Gakov and Childs (18) 8 down. The following eight qualified for the

Ladies’ Club championship: Miss M Adamson 93, Miss J. Houston 95. Mrs Cox 96,. Mrs Andrewes 100. Miss Stevenson 100, Miss N. Yarrall 101 Mrs Winchester 102, Miss Mortland 103. The next eight qualified for tho Mahinapua Cup, viz.: Mrs Caliari 105. Miss Wilson 106, Miss E. Cooke 107. Miss Betty Yarrall 107, Mrs Warren 107. Mrs Ross 109, Miss Wild 109. Miss Wormington 110. The L-G.U. medal match was won by a junior play.qr, Miss N. Yarrall, who reduced her handicap by 6 strokes. Reductions in handicap; Miss Adamson 17 to 16; Miss S. Keller 35 to 34; Miss N. Yarrall 30 to 24. The County Clerk in a report on operations carried out under the Min ing Subsidy Scheme, for the six months ended June 30. stated the men actually working on the scheme at June 30 were: 68 married. 73 single. 11 youths. These were drawing the ordinary gold mining subsidy. Three were employed on special prospecting at Donegal Creek, drawing the increased subsidy. The number of areas and the men working same arc a-’ follows: Paringa River 1. Waiho 3 Okarito 1, Okarito Forks 2, Wat area 9. Harihari 2, Waitaha 1. Pukekura 4 Ferguson’s 3. Rimu Flat, Pine ami Fisherman’s Creeks 22, Brighton and Scddon Terraces (Woodstock) 25. Stribling’s Creek and Tucker Flat 4. Kanieri Forks 7, Hokitika River 9 Blue- Spur-Humphreys 16. Fox’s and Red Jacks 4 Arahura River 2, Stafford and Awatuna 4. Goldsborough 1.”. Kumara Junction 4, Larrikin’s and Kumara. 8. Callaghan’s 3. Taipo 4. The total expenditure by wav of subsidy for the six months was £3.324 15s lOd. This amount includes £6 13s 9d for Donegal Creek prospecting. The gold won by [subsidised miners for the term covered was 303 ounces 10 dwts. At £7 per ounce, the value is £2,124 10s. Many men on subsidy found ill necessary to cut tracks up the various rivers to prospect at the head of the rivers. At a rough estimate. five miles of races have been cut by subsidised miners. Ten parties have been driving prospect’ng tun uels during the period without air go'd ro'.urns whatever. Another eight parties who have driven are now blocking out and obtaining failreturns. There are eight parties employed in opening up slui< ing da-ms. \o re*urns have been obtained from these vet. The claims opened up are showing fair returns and if is anticipated that in the near future, gold returns will b<‘ increased consider ably. The value of gob] wofT is approximately two-thirds of the amomr paid in subsidy. Men have been arriving from others parts of New Zea land and have been placed on subsidy. Quite a few of these endeavour to ob tain other employment, and a number go off the scheme to temporary emp'oyment in the county. So far. the committee have not considered it advisable to place parties of inexperi onc-ed men with supervisors. All the men on subsidy are prospecting on their own behalf under control of Supervisor Moore, who pays periodi c:<! visits to inspect the work being done. The men are quite coni enterand in practical'y every ease good work is be,ing done in an endeavour to win gold. It is hoped to increase tho special party prospecting at Dorn gal Creek so that shaft sinking may be commenced in the near future, j. Is desired to test the ground as ear I’ as possible. This area has been s'* aside as a reserve. The number or "nbsidy at present is tho highest since, the committee took control, and is owing to the number from outside districts arriving to try their luck. The County Mining Executive. at its fortnightlv meeting, renewed sub sidios for th. following: IT. J. and M. J. Stephens. Rimu: C. Bergman. Ferguson’s; A. W. and T. B Wilkin °on Wainihinihi- W. P. Line South HokiHka; R. T. Harold RokiHka Rix O”- J. C. P. Muir. Arahura: .1. Mac K'nnon. Ferguson’s: A. T. Olson. Blue Spur; F. J. A. Lacknor Gu’dsborongh • W. Holmes. Paringa R vor ; AV. J and F 1. Willoughby. Woodstock: C. V Atkins and AV. T. Vaughan. Okarito Forks; T. J. O’Connor TToki’ika.- S. TTollev South Hokitika- F A Winter Kanieri; J. P McNeill ord N Bnxto: Hokitika; C. Barrow ami F. TT'wham Kumara; D. Cook. Kumara; P. Radom Kanieri; J. R Bergman. AVataroa: H. Dunn, Hau Hau: J. T. Da\o:r. Hokd’ka; J. McDonald. Kumara Juno tion; F. D. Pavn Kumara: J. Toohc) Hokitika; A. Jacob. Tainui; AV. Stewart. B'ue Spur. Tn the past two weeks 33ozs 15dwts- 2gr of gold was won In mon on subsidy. It was reported that 1,1890zs of gold had boon produced bv subsidised men since Hie schonv started in March, 1933. Supervisor McQuil'kiin reported that C. Ogilvm desired f,o join prospecting party a Mt. Graham, also stating that P. Me Quilkin would bo leaving the party on June 29. Reporting on prospecting operations of special quartz party n‘ Mt. iGraham for fortnight ending July 6. Supervisor Moon- reported on pros pecting operations of C. Craso at Back Creek. J. Spargu and D. Morgan. Re porting satisfactory' progress of prospecting operations at Donegal Creek, also sotting out locality on plan, and reporting work progressing wrP. J. J. Busher asked for special assistance while prospecting at Taipo owing to heavy costs of packing supplies. Special assistance recommended. A;> plications for subsidy were.; L. K Baron, to prospect at Big Wangami' River (approved); J. A. Morris am' AV. Radomski, to prospect at Stribling Creek (approved): A. C. Muir, to work in claim with E. G. McMurtrie and A. J. H. Clark (granted when eligible); J. Robertson and A. D. Patterson, to open up sluicing claim at Big Dam Hi]], Goldsborough (granted wh.c,n eligible); AV. J. McCormack, to drive tunnel in Brighton Terrace, Woodstock (approved); D. Walsh, to Trospect at Wataroa River (recommended); G. Crase. youth to prospect Back Creek (recommended). Applications for equipment were: H. Dunn, 1000 feet of mining timber (refused); [ C. W. J. Pierson, account for lorry hire of £3 (referred to County Couneil); Anderson and Shields,' Humphreys (granted); W. A. Kyle, equipment t-o prospect at Jackson River S-W. (recommended io ’Emp'oymeni Board as a matter of urgency). The Unemployment Board forwarded copy of application for prospecting areas, two of 100 acres each in the name of J- J. Busher, and three of 100 acres each in; the name of A. J. Dillon, a'l in Taipo Reservation, and asking if committee has any objecting to granting same; also inquiry re extra payment to J. While, asking for cor ies of supervisor’s fortnightly reports; asking for particulars of all packing charges paid by the committee; ask ’ng for copies of Supervisor McQuillan ’s reports in triplicate. James Toohey reported on prospecting opera Hons at Arahura River. E. G. Si : k reported on n ew cage erected across AVataroa ■River, stating that engine was now on claim site and work '”•01116 be commenced immediately. E. b'onnelly, Harihari, advised he twas at present camped at the junction of the

Lambert and AVanganui rivers, and stating that, the locality «was a very likely quartz area, about 80.000 acres being available for prospecting: also requesting special assistance and for assistance towards buying a horse fo» packing supplies. — Recommended tha* increase of subsidy be paid applicant. C. Hunt inquired regarding arrange ments for transporting men from Ku uiaia to Donegal Greek, stating that so far men had been carried by horse and cart. The Finance Committee of West land County Council at Saturday’s meeting passed accounts for £2556 4s lid K.D.V. Boxes, Ltd., requested permission to construct a snig track along unformed road near Poerua River »<> haul timber.—Granted. W. I). Noian. Okuru, wrote asking permission to use old stringers from obsolete Okuru. wharf in connection with access to air landing.—Granted. AV. Searle. Hari Mari, wrote expressing thanks for lot tors of appreciation of his services as member. Christina Passmore, George J. Thompson. Thos. J. Adamson, Henham and McKenzie wrote applying fo» renewal of slaughterhouse licenses.Ali granted. James Cain. Karangarua asked permission to occupy a spare piece of road reserve along Scoit's Creek.—Granted. The Unemp’oymen’ Board wrote- notifying completion o*’ arrangements for restoration of Ma 1 froy’s bridge, the council to contribute£2so. the same advising the mat lor o’ La Fountaine road extension was b r ing investigated. The Native Depart ment advised that £3OO was available fur relief of unemployed Maoris in connection with the flood damage a Arahura. subject to the scheme O'' work being approved by the Puldi< Works Department. The M’nes Depail ment inqu’red as to the position re garding Mount Greenland* prospecting track