HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 October 1936, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.} HOKITIKA, October 14. The day has been eold. and windy, though fine, with a southerly sea.

Guests at Keller's Hotel include; Mr S. H. Whittaker (Wellington), Mr and Mrs S. D. Winn (Australia). Mr 0. G. Burt (Wellington), Mr and Mrs 11. X. Jones, Mr G. Puklowski (Nelson). A vote of sympathy with Cr. W. Jeffries, in his recent injury, and the hope that he would soon be restored io health was expressed by the County Council yesterday. The South Westland Air Service during the past quarter carried 60 passengers, and 10,245 lb of mail, ami 2,666 lb of goods. At its annual meeting, All Saints’ Tennis Club elected the following officers; President, Rev. W. E. Davis; VicePresidents. Messrs T. R. Soywen, D. J. Evans and J. B. Ward (re-elected); Joint- Secretaries, Miss Elsie Rowe and D. Wallace. A Committee of nine was appointed. Subscriptions are; Men 17s 6d; ladies 15s (with ia reduction of 2s 6d in each case, if paid by December 1st); boys and girls 5s (under 16 years of age, and 17 years, if still attending school). Opening day was fixed fop October 24th. A letter was received by the Westland County Council yesterday from the West Coast Sawmillers’ Association, on behalf of certain millers, objecting to the levy on timber charged bv the Council. The Association said about £4OO per annum was being levied, alleging it was inn unfair rate os there were other users of the roads. Cr. Murdoch said the right to rare standing timber was taken away by the Government, but the present levy was approved in its place. Cr. Ward was satisfied the levy was quite just. All taxation must come out of production. The millers wero being taxed on a crop they had never sown, from' a source which was national wealth. The millers did not like paying it, the Council did not. like, collecting it. but it had to do its duty. Cr. Brown said the millers considered they were being taxed' to the advantage of those who wore carting heavy timber, but the latter were paying by way of petrol mnd motor taxes. No action was tak-

The. County Council has decided to purchase a new lorry. The County Council adopted recommendations that the Engineer be given ■full power in the control and organisation of the outdoor staff; that for a term of 12 months, the assistant clerk be granted an increase of £1 per week; and the typisf 10s per week; that fre-h tenders be called' for the supply of petrol and be dealt with at the next finance meeting; and that I lie question of wages for casual employees lie held over till the legal question is determined by the Arbitration Court, 'and that any increase be made retrospective to October .Ist, The Counties’ Association, said the Clerk, were opposed to several clauses but the Bill did not affect each County the same way. As far as Westland was concerned, it would mean a. savino- upwards of £2OO a month. A liequest, by Mr I’. O’Neil. Kokatahi, asked that 20 chains of Blaie'rs’ Road into the hill be metalled and suggesting arrangements for metalling. This was referred to the Engineer. The Chairman reported no tenders had been received for Hokitika Gorge Track work. The Chairman said ha would like to see a telephone installed in the County residence at Harihari, which would'be advantageous in the conduct of the Council business. Tae Engineer was instructed to report on the question of erect.ng a footbridge ar Totara Lagoon. A request by the Golf Club, for assistance to_ fence part of its links, posting £;>o, was leferred to. the. Enginee'r. No action was taken on <a request from Bierwirth’s Gold Reefs, Totara, for road repairs. The Clerk said last D’ecernbean offer of £25 was made, applicant to do the work and pay the rates. These rates had since not been pa d, and no reply had been received. H. Jackson, ferryman, Okarito, reported 344 passengers were ferried during September quarter. South West land Transport. Ltd. disclaimed liability (£l5) as to Duck Creek bridge, dan. age during a motor collision. Mr J. O’Brien, ALP., advised he was asking the Hon. Minister to have the report on Arahura River protection finalised, also add’ng the Minister thought some, thing will be done about Jacobs River bridge in the near future. K. D. A. Boxes. Ltd.,i A;uc«kl an'd,. wrote, corn-, plaining about the slow progress of the La Fontaine Road construction, and asking everything be done to expedite the work. Harihari Box-Mak-ing Coy., pdr H. Y. Levctt, explained, p. proposal for removal ot logs from L.i Fontaine Road clearing 1 and asking confirmation. The Engineer said he and Mr Darby visited' the locality and •nterviewed Mr Levett regarding the removal of logs. Regarding K. D. '• Boxes’ complaint, the weather had been against him. The contractor was doing what he could. The Minister oi Mines wrote granting £5O (£ fo r £), for the. improvement of Seven Mile Track. Taipo, a. distance of 2.1 miles for transport of mining material. Ihe Minister of Public. Works, through the Member for West land, wrote, explaining the proposed Lake Kanieri-Koka-talii Road was not considered urgent for the expenditure of £3O 000 at present. as an employment work, every endeavour being made to place unemployed on the south reading. Cr. Murdoch and Cr, Jamieson moved that representation for the work be made to Hon. H. T. Armstrong.—Carried. Crs. Murdoch and Donovan urged a renewed request for money from the Government to widen the road through Harihari. The Minister of Public Works wrote, promising to place before Cabinet, the Council’s request to extend the railway from Ross. The District Engineer advised Dry Creek erosion was not considered a danger to road or bridge, and asked an estimate of the cost ot widening Alilltown-Araliura track. In reply to Cr. Ward. Cr. Murdoch said the Council was not liable for any accidents arising from wandering stock. The County Council yesterday author'sed its Engineer to spend £3O in connection with protection from river erosion, it was stated Arahura Valley had again suffered in the recent floon, and that damage was done at Koiterangi. Crs. B. Ward, W. A. Jamieson, Donovan and the Chairman (Cr J. J. McKay) agreed, thlat representations be made for Government assistance on a scale that, would meet all the needs of the district in this respect. Members were at. a loss to suggest a general line of action, but Cr. Ward said the diversion of strewns up countrv might be of assistance.