HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 27 May 1938, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

LOur Own Correspondent.!

HOKITIKA. May 26.

A fire about 1.45 a.m. to-day destroyed the shop and stock of Mr G. Wright, fruiterer, Revell Street. Insurance on the building, owned by William Robinson, was £2OO, and on the stock, of George Wright, £2OO. The policies are both in the Guardian Insurance Coy. The fire had broken 1 through the roof when the firebells j rang, but the Fire Brigade made a good save, considering that the shop (.formerly Dee’s grocery) was adjacent to other business places, ths flames having been quenched in about a quarter of an hour with the aid of a good water pressure. The death occurred last evening at the hospital of Mr Eric L. Park, for several years accountant for the Rimu Dredging and' Kanieri Electric Companies. Deceased was a native of Hokitika, 33 years of age, and n son of the late James Park, former Crown Solicitor at Hokitika. He had been ailing for some time. He had served a term on the Hokitika Borough Council and Westland Hospital Board, and was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, for which he was treasurer for several years, and was a member of the executive of the Red Cross Society. He leaves a widow (a daughter of Mr and Mrs Urquhart, formerly of Hokitika, and now of Christchurch), and, a young son. There is also a sister Miss M. Park (Wanganui) and three brothers, Archibald (Westport). James (Fiji) and Hugh (Hokitika) Out of respect for deceased the local Red Cross Sub-Centre last evening adjourned its meeting, the members standing as a mark of sympathy with the relatives. The funeral takes place at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. Mrs A. Diedrich, of Kokatahi, has imported two fine Hereford bulls, 20 months old, from Invercargill, for her cattle run at Koiterangi. The stock is from the Holmes estate, reputed for the class of Herefords bred.

An extension to Westport of the service of Air Travel Ltd, (now running to Inchbonnie and South Westland) is projected, connecting with other parts of the Dominion. Mr J. C. Mercer (managing director) and Mr P. Renton visited Westport yesterday and inspected the aerodrome at North Beach, which was considered quite suitable for use by the company’s machines. In the afternoon the visitors made an inspection of the proposed site for a new aerodrome on the south side of the Buller River Mr Mercer was impressed with the area of 200 acres and predicted that it would meet the aviation needs of Buller for many years. He said that it was the intention of his company to apply to the Transport Licensing Authority to run a taxi ambulance service from Westport under the same conditions as on the South Westland run. Visitors to Hotel Westland include Mr L. Pearce (Christchurch), Mr E. Little (Wellington), Mr J. V. Lloyd (Wellington), Mr O. D. Mcllraith (Christchurch), Mr A. McKnight (England), Mr and Mrs R. Vanes (Dunedin), Mr W. Grant (Wellington), Mr D. Bubb (Auckland), Mr N. Gubb (Auckland), Mr and Mrs Kay (Christchurch).

The County Council’s power grader, which was at yesterday’s meeting stated to have done good work in the northern and central ridings, is needed in the southern riding, where, Councillor Searle said, the roads have never been so bad as they'now are. Cr. T. O’Neill said the grader was leaving deposits of spoil on the Kokataki roadsides, including 1 one >n front of the Presbyterian church entrance. Cr. P. J. McLean said the spoil should be used to fill hollows beside the road and levelled out. It was remarked at the meeting that Cr,

J. A. Murdoch was the first to have been six times appointed chairman, and that Mr D. J. Evans hau been 47 years County Clerk. The Council decided against monthly meetings, the voting being: For Crs. Rowley, Dale; McLean and Searle; against— Crs. Donovan, Ward, Jamieson and the chairman; Cr. \. < not voting. Harihari branch N.Z. Farmers’ Union wrote urging that the Council hold monthly meetings. It was decided to raise a' loan of £5OO for river protection in Arahura Valley, levying on that account in a special area thereabouts a rate of five-eighths of a penny in the £. Accounts totalling £4601 were passed. Crs. A. Dale (chairman), McLean, Rowley and Ward were appointed a works committee and all members a finance committee, with Cr. W. A. Jamieson as chairman. A general rate of one penny three farthings in the £ on capital value was struck, also a special rate of one farthing in Koiterangi district for erosion protective works, It was decided to provide an improved turn-out at the junction of the State highway and Okarito Forks road, also to deviate the north bank Wataroa track. Cr. Searle’s motion for 1000 yards of fine gravel for La Fontaine road was held over. The Engineer suggested this work _ be done by the staff. He also proposed that metalling in the county be done by four single men, now available, with the aid of a mobile caravan, namely, a truck with a saloon body 14 feet long, 7 feet wide and 6 feet high, fitted with two wire mattresses each end, cupboards, table, range, seating, three windows and a side door; the exterior walls to be galvanised flat iron and lining inside 3 ply. The cost of the saloon body would be £5B, plus £lOO for a 6-cylin-der Chevrolet truck reconditioned, Motorman Randall reported on lorry purchased with recommendation to procure Chevrolet truck. Mr J. Shannon waited on the Council desiring access to his property at Koiterangi, which since the last floods had been cut off. He asked for a road to the swing bridge, a distance of some 2h miles. The engineer estimated the cost of £2400. It was resolved to apply to the Minister for a free grant for the proposed work, Mr Shannon to find £250. Mr M. Moynihan waited on the Council in reference to proective work at Kokatahi. The position was explained and considered ti' be satisfactory. Mr W. Ritchie, of Koiterangi, waited on the Council in regard to protecting his property from river erosion. Some 21 acres of his land had been swept away, but no protection had been attempted. Cr. Jamieson said the last flood had swept over Mr Ritchie’s property, causing much damage. Cr. O’Nefl considered encroachment was a big thing and should be tackled at once. It affected the whole of Koiterangi. He would suggest turning the whole river against the south bank. Mr Thomas Brown waited on the Council in connection with a contract for rqad widening between Milltown and Arahura River. Cr. Dale reported the result of an inspection. The chairman said that until completion of the contract, nothing could be done. Mr Brown stated the road, if completed according to specifications would suit him. The chairman stated he would see the contract was up to the specifications. The Bank of New Zealand wrote approving of advance in overdraft limit to £4500. R. Thompson, Bruce Bay, wrote protesting against portion of reserve allotted to him being used as a garden for Public Works employees and now about to be transferred to another party, the Clerk, in reply pointing out the area is a road reserve. The Minister of Public Works advised he was unable at present to agree to more liberal grant than £3 for £1 for Ferguson road. The District Engineer wrote asking the Council to pay to the public account as early as pos-;

sible the contribution of the Council and settlers, £lOOO foi Arahura River protection. Mr G. Manship, Harihari was granted a supply of pipes to make crossing. The chairman and treasurer were authorised to take any necessary action to obtain royalties from Arahura dredging areas. Harihari Domain Board’s complaint at the widening of the main highway in front of the hall was referred to the Public Works Department. It was agreed to accept Westland Plospital Board’s amended levy, which total is £6OO less than previously made. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., forwarded letter from the Minister of Labour stating that owing to the high cost of the Dorothy Falls-Styx road it was not possible to make a favourable recommendation respecting the road; also stating the Minister of Public Works would grant £250, £ for £. in respect to each protection work at W. Ritchie’s and D. J. Smith’s Koiterangi and Kokatahi; also particulars regarding the Arahura River protection work. The Council agreed to pay in £lOOO towards the cost. The District Engineer wrote that erosion at Serpentine Creek, Kumara road, would have attention; also explaining that metal removed from Big Wanganui River bed did not affect settlers’ land; also requiring additional work on Bruce Bay landing road before taking same over; also regarding land required for iroad through ferry reserve at Mahitahi.