HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1937, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

■ ;7’’7-;-'-;O.. d- ? 7 ■. -- Correspondent]. ;■ ■•-'?«%•" HOKITIKA, November 14. ■/' The ? m.v. Gael sailed at six o’clock JasV evening for Bruce Bay, from 'where she is expected back to-morrow tnorning, and will sail in the evening for Okuru and Jackson Bay. Constable Beattie, who has been transferred to Rangiora, left by the express this morning. Constable Stuart, of Christchurch, who replaces him, will arrive to-morrow evening. At last evening’s meeting of the Hokitika U.S.A., advice was received that the following Hokitika ex-service-men had been selected to make the trip to Sydney for the celebrations at Easter:—F. McCabe, T. Muir W. E. Brown, R. Paterson, H. W. Barltrop, F. R. Woodham and W. H. Nicol. The Hokitika District High School closes down on Thursday a f te ™°° ft for the Christmas vacation. At 2 p.m. there will be a presentation of prizes, with several addresses. Weather conditions were very favourable for the local learn-to-swim week, which was conducted at tne Municipal Baths, and enthusiasm was in no way lacking on the part of the pupils who attended. A large number of children from the various schools received instruction with marked success. It is understood that 41 children from the Hokitika District High School who could not swim at all previous to’tne instruction are now able to at least swim a few strokes, and with returns yet to come from other schools the number of those taught to swim should indeed be a very creditable reflection on the capabilities or those who acted as instructors. The secretary of the Far East Fund acknowledges receipt of 2s 6d from Mrs. E. Glass,. Harihari, and 2s 6d from Mrs. A. Miller, Beach street, Hokitika At the monthly executive meeting of the R.S.A., Messrs P. R- Whitford, vice president (chairman), A. Samson, 1. Stuart, W. Cropp, F. Ashley, R. GMillen, R. Paterson (secretary), D. Childs, G. A. King, W. Eastgate and F. McGregor, attended. . On behalf of the Hospital visitors, Mr. Cropp reported there was only one ex-serviceman in Hospital at present, and he would be discharged m a day or two. The secretary was instructed to 'forward Christmas cards to kindred bodies and past members. The meeting then adjourned to the quarterly general meeting, there being about 25 members present. Mr. ’Whitford presided. The secretary read a letter from Mr. A. Huggard, quoting a modified price for the more efficient ventilation of the hall. —It was decided to adopt the scheme. . . The sub-committee appointed, recommended that the site of the proposed picnic be Kumara Beach, anti the'date appointed was January 22. Mr. A. Samson and Dr. Childs were appointed visitors for the month. Messrs King and Eastgate were appointed hall inspectors. Headquarters advised that from the September grant from the National War Funds Council, £2 had been allotted to Hokitika. . Four applications for re-issue oi badges were approved. Mr. P. R. Whitford was appointed to represent the R.S.A. as nominal occupier of its property on the Borough roll. , Accounts amounting to £4 12s were passed for payment. The secretary reported that the present membership of the Association was 284 as against 306 last year, The secretary said he hoped before the end of the year to have a membership of 350. The chairman called for nominations for the position of president. Mr. Whitford definitely declined nomination and Mr. R. G. Millen was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. W. E. Brown. It was left to the secretary to issue the usual Christmas parcels to exservicemen in the hospitals. Mr. Millen was appointed to the sub-committee to administer the National War Funds in this district. The secretary was instructed to enquire from the Hospital Board the possibilities of an extension of the age of children dependent on parents who came under the Hospital Board agreements.

The Westland hospital Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs T. W. uuff (chairman), W. Jamieson, J. A. Murdoch. E. L. Bark, N. Brown, A. Hale, E. W. Heenan. Apologies lor aosence were received trom Messrs C. R. El cock. H. G. Parry and W. HEvenden. Lne financial statement showed: Receipts £1996 3s 10d, expenditure £1466 5s sd. Accounts amounting to £1585 13s 3d were passed for payment. A committee consisting of Messrs Duff, Parry, Park and Heenan was appointed to enquire into the necessity for kitchen labour-saving devices. It was reported that all the cows on the farm had been examined and found satisfactory. The Medical Superintendent’s report stated: Remaining in Hospital October 31, 0/, admitted during ivovember, 66; total treated during month, 123; discharged cured, 60; discharged relieved, <; died 4; total discharged 71; remaining in hospital November 30, 52; number of patients who have received indoor/ treatment for two months and upwards at present in hospital 13. ihc i.iatron’s report stated: The highest number of beds on any one day was 60, the lowest 45, average for the month, 53; number of operations 35; X-rays 43, massage and electrical treatments 191. Miss F. Riddell left on November 8: Miss Nellie McClurg commenced duties as Ward Sister on November 1; Miss M. Wilson commenced duties as relieving sister vice Sister Ward on November 15, and will be leaving on December 15; Miss JMcCallum, Senior Sister, returned from sick leave on November 7. Sick leave: Miss P. Woodill off duty October 11, discharged from Hospital November 18, still off on sick leave. G. Keenan off duty November 8 to November 30 inclusive. During the past month we worked two maids short for the greater part of the month. I had decided to use the isolation maid to relieve Mrs Freitas for holidays, then one maid went off sick. It was impossible to obtain any help to relieve her, but fortunately isolation remained closed and I managed to get one of the men from the Old People’s Home to come over to do the potatoes. Resignation: Miss I. Fleming, second year nurse, to take effect as from December 8. Re South Westland casualty wards, a letter was received from the District Engineer Public Works Department, recommending a site. A letter from the engineer in Chief (Public Works Deparement), concerning the cost of building to conform with Department

of Health requirements. A petition from residents of Bruce Bay was received, protesting against the proposed site of the casualty ward, and suggesting tnat it be built closer to Bruce Bay. Re the South Westland casualty wards, Mr Murdoch moved that the matter should not be shouldered by the Board itself, but that contributing local bodies should be consulted. Mr Heenan, seconding said he could not understand tne large in-i crease from £l2OO to £3OOO in the es-| timate of the cost of the casualty station at Bruce Bay. Mr Brown thought the Board should have something concrete to put before the conference. He moved an amendment with regard to the Maternity Home at Wafaroa, that plans be prepared of the proposed building.—He agreed to hold this amendment over. The motion that a conterence be called of all contributing local bodies was passed unanimously. It was decided to write to the Health Department requesting It to supply plans and estimates of costs in connection with the maternity homes and casualty stations at Hokitika, Wataroa and Bruce. Dr. B. L. Wilson was present and discussed the matter with the Board.