HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1938, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

I Our Own Correspondent], HOKITIKA, March 11. Dr. Maurice Laserson, of Geneva, an extensively travelled journalist at present on a world tour, travelled from Inchbonnie to Waiho yesterday by plane, and was to make a further flight from Waiho to Weheka this morning. At the Magistrate’s Court this morning before Messrs W. E. Richards and A. E. Benjamin, Justices, a young man, a travelling salesman, was charged with having committed rape, last night. Mr James appeared for accused. On the application . of Sergeant Gilligan a remand was granted to Wednesday next. Last evening fifteen trucks of fat lambs from South Westland were railed to the freezing works at Belfast. The party of English public school boys on a tour of the British Empire arrived in Hokitika at mid-day yesterday by special cars from Greymouth, and after having lunch at I he Hotel Westland, went on to South Westland. The party comprised 20 boys under the charge of Mr A. E. C. Cornwall, a house master at Marlborough, who has associated with him Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton and Mr A. F. Philpotts. During discussion of the condition of the Town Hall and offices at last evening’s Borough Council meeting, members mentioned that it would be a wise plan for the Council to consider the establishment of a building fund having in view as its object the erection of a new Town Hall and offices. Of several proposals submitted one was that the museum room al the Free Public Library buildings would make a very suitable hall if the exhibits were transferred to a room in the present Town Hall buildings. The majority of members, however, agreed that if, as would be necessary, portion of the room was partitioned off for an office the remaining part would be too small to meet requirements as a hall. All were of the opinion that there was an urgent need for new buildings and that the question was a pressing one. The marriage took place at Scot s Memorial Church yesterday morning of Noel John (Billy), second son of Mr and Mrs L. Hughes, Hampden Street, and Joy, fifth -daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Ward, Weld Street. Rev ( Murray Fiest officiated. Escorted by her brother, the bride wore a henna crepe de chine ensemble, with hat and shotes to match. She carried a bouquet of parchment coloured flowers. The bridesmaid, Miss L. F. Fleming, of Kanieri, wore a dress of navy blue georgette, with hat and shoes to tone. She carried a bouquet of cream zinnias and maiden hairfern. The best man was Mr L. Hughes. Mr and Mrs N. J. Hughes left later by the express for Christchurch. The swimming carnival held at the Municipal Baths last evening drew a large’attendance of the public. The : Municipal Band enlivened proceedI ings prior to the commencement of i the carnival with an enjoyable proI gramme. The special attraction was the appearance of Miss K. Grey (New Zealand intermediate champion) and Miss J. Finlayson (former Auckland firtermedißte champion). Both girls gave excellent' demonstrations, and ‘took part in the various events, Miss ■ Grey winning the ladies’ 50 yards j handicap and the open 100 yards hanI dicap. M r L. Moorhouse, of Christj church, the former New Zealand and j Olympic backstroke champion, was 1 present at the carnival and he gave ja demonstration of the various styles of swimming. During the evening the various trophies won at the carnival were presented by Mr E. Heenan, including the Newman Cup, won this year by A. Ballinger. Mr Heenan, on behalf of the club, expressed the Club’s thanks for various medals presented by the following: Mrs Shav/ (Red Lion Hotel), Misses I. and M. Devaney, Messrs J. J. - Mclntosh, H. Steele, F. Breeze, W. Haworth, and G. and A. Noble (Blue Star Taxis). Results: Boys’ 25 yards (15 years and under) (10 competitors)—J. McIntyre (7sec) 1, H. Parsonage 2. Time 17 3-ssec. Girls’ 25 yards, 15 years and .under (12 competitors)—Pat Eastgate (scr) 1, Jean Phillips (4) 2. Time 19sec. Newman Cup final, 75 vards—A. Ballinger (lOsec) 1, R. Ferguson (scr) 2. Time 54sec. Men’s 25 yards dash (16 competitors) —C. Briggs (2) and E. Dowell (4) deadheat 1. Time 13 l-ssec. Ladies’ 25 vards handicap. (6 competitors) —Miss Thora Thorpe (scr) 1, Miss Pat Eastgate (2) 2. Time 13 4-5. Men’s 50 vards handicap (10 competitors)—A. Howat (3) 1, R. Eastgate (3) 2. Time 33 3-5. Ladies’ 50 yards handicap (4 competitors) —Miss K. Grey (scr) 1, Miss T. Thorpe (.4) 2. Time 31 2-5. Under-water swim—R. Ferguson 1. Girls’ diving—Betty Howat 1, Dorothy Woolhouse 2. Boys’ diving—J. Stoop. 1, J. Gilchrist 2. Open 100 yards handicap (5 competitors)—Miss K. Grey (scr) 1, R. Ferguson <3) 2. Time 67 4-5. Relay race —R. Ferguson’s team 1, E. Dowell’s team 2. Learners’ width—P. Eastgate 1, K. Davidson 2. The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening, those present being the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. G. Heinz, A. R. Elcock, T. W. Duff, E. L. Park and E. Teichelmann. Apologies were received from Crs. H. T. Parry, A. H. Thompson and H, L. Michel. A deputation consisting of two members of the HoKitika .Harmonica Band, Messrs M. Davidson and Boye, requested permission to hold another concert in the Regent iTheatre in aid of the Hokitika LifeSaving Club’s funds. After hearing the deputation the Council agreed to . the concert being held on the same terms with which the previous re-, quest was met. The application of the Secretary, Hokitika Sports Club, for the sole right to use Cass Square on Saturday, 26th inst. with authority to charge admission fees, and also requesting Council to give consideration to the improvement of the cycle track as a number of cycle races will be held and .that the track is very rough in places, was granted. The Secretary Westland Hospital Board wrote notifying board’s intention to apply for sanction to borrow a further sum of £3OOO for the purpose of providing sufficient funds to complete the buildings and alterations and the additional programme now being undertaken by the board. Secretary Westland Provincial Committee advised that it had now been I decided to abandon the suggestion to i appropriate £lOOO as the basis, of a scholarship fund and to establish in ■ lieu thereof a scholarship fund to | j produce £5O annually for 10 years, {such amount to be contributed by 'local bodies in the area on a population basis of id per head, the con-

tribution from Hokitika borough being £3 a year.—lt was agreed that Council contribute as requested. The New Zealand Refrigerating Co., Ltd. advised that meat was delivered into Hokitika during the month of February, 1938, comprising 60 sheep. Returned Soldiers’ Association’s application to hold a sacred concert, on Anzac night with authority to charge for admission was granted. L. S. Ross and Miss F. A. Thompson applied to instal a joint septic tank at their premises in Weld Street. —A proved subject to health regulations. R. B. Tennent’s application to instal a septic tank at Section 1284, Hampden Street, was granted. Commissioner of Transport advised that it is not proposed by the Government that any change will be made this year in the system hitherto in force for the issue of motor drivers’ licenses. —Granted. Commissioner of Transport asked the Council to re-consider its decision in respect of opposing the proposal to remove the speed restriction at the east end of Stafford Street and the north end of Fitzherbert Street, and advancing reasons in support.—lt was resolved the Borough adhere to jts firm decision restricting speed limit to 30 m.p.h. Miss F. C. Wilson wrote asking that growth, etc., be removed in front of her property in Brittan Street. —Received and referred to the Public Works Committee. H. M. Coulson’s request thqt parking of cars along the front of his surgery be stopped was granted, the no parking area to be painted off. Miss Sara Allen made application for compensation through accident on street. —Left in hands of Town Clerk to make further enquiries. A. E. F. Pierson applied for compensation through damage to motor.—The Council decided to deny liability. Mrs A. Boyd applied under Section 69 of the Rating Act for half rates in respect of Section 972 Jollie Street. —Received and accepted, and decided that Clerk inform applicant that if the building were not put in a habitable state of repair action would be taken to secure a demolition order under the Health Act. R. A. Detlaff (Mr A. R. Elcock agent) wrote respecting the alleged encroachment of the owner of Section 3263 Revell and Park Streets on to Park Street. Applicant complained on behalf of himself and other residents that Mr R. Cooper had by the erection of a fence encroached upon Park St. to an extent of 10 to 11 feet thus affecting beach access and asked that th<t' Council take immediate action. After consideration of the letter the Council decided that the alleged encroachment was not creating any nuisance to the public nor did it affect public access to the beach by Park Street, it being mentioned that there was about 99 feet of street available as a thoroughfare. In its view the matter was of unimportanoe and it was decided to take no action with regard to same. The Town Clerk reported on the recent housing survey undertaken in the borough. All of the houses, he explained, had not been but the surveying officer used his discretion as to those which he thought required inspection. Of a total of 235 which were inspected, 111 were in .a satisfactory condition, 97 unsatisfactory, but repairable at a reasonable cost, and 27 noV repairable! : Approximately 50 per cent, of those inspected were therefore in good condition. Overcrowding only affected 20 houses, m a number of cases overcrowding only being to the extent of one person. The Treasurer’s report for the month ended March 10, was received and adopted. Receipts totalled £1766 Is lOd, and expenditure £Bl3 12s Bd. Credit balance in bank £lBl6 16s lid. Waterworks payments amounted to £4Ol 4s 6d, and there was a credit balance in the water supply account of £263 Ils 9d. Accounts amounting to £985 6s lid as approved by the Finance Committee were passed for payment, and £660 5s 9d water supply accounts were also passed for payment. The manager of the abattoirs

reported on stock slaughtered during the month of February as follows; 43 cows, 56 bullocks, 198 sheep, 175 lambs, 22 heifers, 4 calves and 7 pigs. One cow was condemned. Fees collected fop the month totalled £74 7s, as compared with £7l Is 6d for the same month of 1937. The report was received and adopted. Mr R. Herring was further appointed on fulltime employment as custodian. Regarding a request by the Hokitika Fire Board for a building site containing more land with a title covering' it, it was reported that a subcommittee appointed last meeting to go into the matter had found upon investigation that there was a number of legal points involved concerning which there was -considerable doubt, and that it recommended the Fire Board be given a definite assurance that a site in Hamilton St. of 50ft. frontage, and with a depth of 80ft. would be granted for its purpose. The report was received, and the sub-committee’s recommendation adopted. It was left to the Town Clerk and Cr. Heinz to go into the cost of carrying out repairs to the Town Hall.