HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 9 February 1938, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, February 8. Work is proceeding with the contract to clear 68 chains of road reserve for the link 'between Mananui and Mahina pua. Trees have been felled the full width of the road reserve for a distance of 53 chains and stumps, roots and debris have been stacked in various heaps, ready for burning. It is understood that Hon R. Semple, Minister of Public Works will visit the district in a fortnight’s time, and will travel south as far as Jackson’s Bay. The Minister will arrive by air from Nelson, and proceed to Waiho Gorge, Bruce Bay, and Jackson’s Bay by aerial stages. It is expected he will be back here by the evening of March 3rd, and leave the following morning for Westport. The old Kaineri bridge is being dismantled by a gang of men under Mr. McConville, but a delay has arisen through the non-arrival of gear, to handle the 21 and 3 ton girders at the south end.

Guests to Hotel Westland include: Mr. and Mrs. R, Goldsworthy (West Australia), Mr. M. J. Goldwill, Mr. J. B. Goldwill, Mr. A. J. Gilbert (Australia), Mrs. E. Hardy (Christchurch), Mr. A. W. Beckford (Wellington). Mr. M. Howard Savill (England), Miss B. Johnstone, Miss A. Phillips, Mr. B. Duncan (Wellington), Mr,. Bruce A. Tomlinson (Eketahuna), Mrs. Blanch Barton, Mr. R. U. King (Timaru), Mr. G. W. Bourne (Rockhampton), Mr. Battley (Auckland), Mr. A. R. Jansen (Wellington), Mr. J. A. Meiles (Wellington), Mr. Pearse (Christchurch). Mr. R. Snowden (Nelson).

At the monthly meeting of Rimu and Woodstock Women’s Institute Mrs. Surgenor presided over a very good attendance. It was decided to hold the annual picnic at Greymouth. Mrs. J. O’Connor was the winner of the competition. The afternoon was spent in a general talk. A very dainty tea, seryed by hostesses, Mrs. L. Rasmussen and Miss M. Orpwood brought a pleasant afternoon to a close.

With approximately 50 trucks of lambs from the West Coast being railed to Canterbury markets and freezing works last week, and a further eight trucks from Reefton, Hokitika and Otira lines railed to the Canterbury freezing works last evening, a good start has been made with this season’s export of West Coast lambs to Canterbury. To-night’s goods train will convey 23 trucks of lambs from all parts of the West Coast consigned to the Addington market. In addition, nine trucks of cattle will be railed to Addington to-night. At the Arahura live stock sale yesterday Messrs W. Jeffries and Co. sold:—For W. A. Jamieson 2 bullocks at £l4, 2 at £l3 10s, 4 at £l3. 1 cow at £9' 2s 6d, 2 at £7 7s 6d, 2 heifers at £7 2s 6d, 2 cows at £6 12s 6d, 2 at £6 2s 6d, 1 heifer at £7 10s, 3 Hereford heifers at £8 10s; for C. Cook, 3 heifers at £5 15s, 3 runners at £4 7/6. Total entry was about 55 head, but was not of the best quality with the exception of some good bullocks sent in by Mr. W. A. Jamieson. The yarding comprised mostly small light 2 year old heifers and cows. A good'clearance was made. At the School Committee, meeting last evening, a discussion took place regarding grants from the Public Works Department towards improvement of school grounds. It was resolved that the Secretary make inquiry. It was suggested that the school was not receiving the same consideration with regard to ground improvement as schools in Canterbury. A press clipping reported extensive work would be soon proceeded with to improve grounds at Geraldine school, including substantial amount of asphalting, draining and raising of low-lying areas. It was pointed out that asphalting and raising of ground would not be so necessary in so dry a locality as it would be in this district. The secretary read a letter with reference to the matter from the Education Board, which said that the P.W.D. now had in hand improvement work for West Coast schools, and that the requirements of the H.D.H. School would no doubt soon be met. With reference to a telegram sent by the chairman to Mr. J. O’Brien M.P. in regard to erection of new school buildings at Hokitika a reply was received from the Education Department that it had been directed by the Minister (Hon. P. Fraser) to advise that the Education Board recently had submitted proposals to the Minister for the erection of main and infant schools at Hokitika. Regarding the type of buildings and the provision of the necessary grants, it was further advised that these were under consideration at present, and that the Minister hoped to make an announcement, at an early date. , . Rimu ’Flat dredge returns for last week was 276 ozs 2 dwts.

At the monthly meeting of the School Committee there were present Messrs A. C. Armstrong (chair), W H. Shannon, J. Lawrence,' W. E. Richards, A. Leslie, J. Conning (sec.), and the rector (Mr. J. G. Johnston). Apologies were received from Messrs J. J. Breeze and H. W. Sweney. It was decided to ask the Board to repaper rooms at the residence of the school caretaker Mr. F. Clarke. The Rector’s report showed the roll on January 31, as: Primary—Boys 181, girls 142, total 323; secondary—boys 64, girls 56, total 120. Several of last year’s Standard VI pupils who are only 13 years of age had not yet enrolled at the High School. He appealed to the parents to give their children secondary education. The new teachers had' joined the staff: Mr. F. D. Gillespie, who replaces Mr. Warren, Miss L. Linklater and Mr. R. Harrison, probationary assistants; Mr. J. J. Andrews, additional assistant; Miss E. Robinson, part-time commercial teacher. In response to a request by the Hokitika Ministers’ Association it was agreed that religious instruction will be extended to standards 3 and 4 of the school classes. It was decided that the grass in the back paddock be' cut, and that the Board be asked for a grant of £2O towards the school library. A grant of £5 for cricket material for the primary department was voted. The assistant-secretary of the Canterbury Education Board (C. Dowland) wrote in regard to the conveyance allowance for Kumara children, and advised that upon the Board’s receipt of completed application forms the allowance would be paid to Kumara children who would be attending the school for the year. It was decided that the Municipal Band be asked to attend the school picnic at Runanga on February 16, and if the band is unable to attend it was resolved that Mr. B. Hunter,

of Robt. Francis (West. Coast), Ltd., be requested to supply music. Mr. Hunter is installing a Sound System on the grounds for the purpise of making announcements. It was also decided that a canvas of the town be made. A sports programme is to be drawn up and this was left in the teachers’ hands to arrange. The train has been arranged to leave from Ruatapu. Miss J. R. Spiers, dental nurse, reported that she had been transferred to Ross, and would be treating South Westland children for about the next two months. Accounts amounting to £ll 10s lid were passed for payment. The treasurer reported that there would be a credit balance in the bank with all accounts paid, of £32 6s 2d. It was resolved that application be made for a supply of roll-books. Mr. F. D. Gillespie was recommended as teacher to replace Mr. C. Warren. The Board notified that Miss Robinson has been appointed part-time teacher in the commercial division. The Department of Health wrote respecting health camps.—Resolved that the Chairman enquire from the Postmaster the amount from Health stamps available in Hokitika. Mrs Blanche Barton, representing 20th Century Personality Tailors, Christchurch, is now at the Hotel Westland, and will be there until Monday, 14th inst. Mrs Barton has recently returned from abroad with all the latest fashions and materials suitable for ladies’ costumes and ensembles. Telephone enquiries invited without obligation.