HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, December 5. Advice has been received from Mr James O’Brien, M.P., that Hon. D. G. Sullivein, Minister of Railways, is arriving in Greymouth on Thursday, evening at 6.15 o’clock, and Mr O’Brien is desirous of arranging a deputaton regarding the South Westland railway, and has suggested that the Minister be met at 8 o’clock. This is being arranged. On Friday morning Mr, Sullivan will visit Hokitika about 10 o’clock and proceed to Kanieri for the opening of the dredge. He is likely to be accompanied by Hons. Webb and Semple. After luncheon in town the Ministerial party depart for Christchurch to connect at Lyttelton with the ferry steamer. The official opening of the large dredge at Kanieri will take place on Friday, at 10,30 a.m. A large official party is expected to ffie present. Mr Arnold W. Johnson, general manager in Australia for the Orient Line, accompanied by Mrs Johnson, arrived in Hokitika on Saturday evening and proceeded to South Westland yesterday morning. They were accompanied by Mr E. H. Skevington, the Orient Company’s Inspector. Rain on Saturday interfered with outdoor sports, and the Bowling Club’s visit to Greymouth was cancelled. The Club at present is training a number of new members, the gre'en being in fine order, and intending members are invited to obtain instruction each evening. Last week’s Rainfall was 4.28 inches, while there was 21 hours 54 minutes of sunshine recorded.

The Kokatahi Women’s Institute held their monthly meeting on December 1, Mrs Woolhouse presiding in the absence of Mrs Cron. Arrangements were, made for a children’s Xmas party on December 12. A presentation was made •to Miss Ruth Wieblitz, who is shortly to be married, and is leaving the district. Mrs Woolhouse was appointed secretary The competitions resulted as follows: Small Posy, Mrs Q’R|eilly 1} Miss Wieblitz 2; Mrs Kelly 3. Sponge, Mrs Woolhouse 1; Mrs Kelly 2; Miss Wieblitz 3., Best Bloom, Mrs Wieblitz 1; Mrs Monk 2; Mrs O’Reilly 3. Guests at Hotel Westland include: Sir Robert Bell (London), Mr and Mrs A. Johnson (Sydney), Mr W. S.xSkev mgton (Wellington), Mr and Mrs R. W. Newbury (Lincoln, England), Mr J. Palmer (Auckland), Mr E. A. Robinson (Christchurch), Mr G. Hurley (Nelson), Mr E. W. Taylor, Mr J. Bettie (Christchurch), Mr A. C. Dick (Melbourne), Mr and Mrs F. Hughes (Bruce Bay), Mr J. Bennett (Christchurch), Misses E. D. and E. B. Bainger (Adelaide), Colonel Hawkens (Instow, Devon, England).

Guests at the Red Lion Hotel include: Miss A. MacDonald (Sydney), Misses M. E. Jenkins (Brisbane), M rs A. E. Austin' (Albury, S. Canterbury), Miss Thomson (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs E. Pinior (Perikeri), Miss Columbus, Mr S. A. Dyer (Christchurch), Mr C. O. Moulder (Wellington), Miss G. Glenny (Napier), Miss G. Hughan (Sydney), Mrs Eggeling (Okuru), Mr M. Parker (Wataroa), Mr Kirwan, Mr Casey. Air Travel (N.Z.) Ltd’s, week-end passengers included: —Weheka-Hoki-tika, Mrs K. Johnston; HokitikaOkuru, Mr B. King, Mr D. H. .Thomas, Mrs A. W. Robertson;'Hokitika-Okuru and return, Mr P. E. L. Renton; Okuru-Waiho, Mr Shivers; HokitikaBruce Bay, Mrs J. Sutton and child, Mr.W. Cunningham; Okuru-Hokitika, Mr and Mrs A. J. Sheldon; WaihoHokitika, Miss Truman, Miss Maxwell.

In the Warden’s Court at Hokitika before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., Warden, an application by the Maori Gully (Kokifi) Gold Dredging Coy.,) for an ordinary prospecting

license of 100 acres in Bls. 15 and 16, Waimea S.D., was recommended to the Minister of Mines for his consent. A second application by the same company for two residence sites of a half-acre each, on Callaghans road in Bls. 15 and 16, Waimea S.D. for a term of 42 years was similarly dealt with.

Nominations for all events at the Westland Racing Club’s. Christmas meeting on the 28th inst. (Wednesday), close on Tuesday evening at 8.30. The principal open event is worth £l5O and a useful trophy donated by Mr J. W. Greenslade, of Greymouth. In addition to six galloping events, there are two trotting events listed, for which Mr F. Keating of Reefton, is donating a gold mounted whip in each case. When Frederick Brown, a farmer at South Hokitika, arrived home at his farm on August 3 last, he was informed by his wife that two dogs had been worrying sheep on his property earlier chat afternoon. He went out into his paddocks and after a search, found eight sheep. All bore signs of having been worried by dogs, and were badly injured about the face and head. Six were dead and two alive. The next day and the following day Brown made a complete search of his holdir , and found 13 more sheep. All had been worried by dogs, and were mutilated about the head. Of the 21 sheep found, 18 were dead, and it was found necessary to kill the remaining 3 later. Fourteen of the sheep were ewes, and 7 hoggets. This was related to Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, when Brown brought an action against Frederick Williamson, contractor, of Hokitika, claiming £2B for loss of sheep, alleged to have been worried by a fox terrior dog, owned by the defendant. Plaintiff was represented by Mr Elcock, and the defendant by Mr B. James. Lengthy evidence was heard. For the plaintiff, it was said that on the afternoon of August 3, Mrs Brown, cycling "i-along the road by her husband’s farm, saw two dogs worrying a sheep. She had observed one of the dog s was a black Scotch terrier, and the other a fox terrier with black white coat, and brown face markings. She had drove the dogs, and went to the assistance of the sheep. The dogs, however, returned, and Mrs Brown drove them away a second time, and in so doing, decided to follow them. She followed behind them quite close all the way over the Hokitika railway bridge- and attempted to catch them, but was unable to do so. Thei dogs turned off the bridge and ran down towards the Post Office, and Mrs Brown did not follow them further. Next day she came to town In the hope that she might again see the dogs, and find their owners. In Hamilton Street sb? saw the Scotch terrier, and soon after the fox terrier. She was certain thev were the two dogs which had done the worrying. At her request, a constable caught the fox terrier. Mrs Williamson, wife of defendant, then came along and admitted the terrier was her husband’s, but said it could not have been resmn sible for the worrying as it had been home that dav. Frederick Gallop said when returning after his morning milk delivery in t.own, he saw two dogs on the road near Brown's farm. The t’me wciild be about 10.30. One was a fox terrier; nnH was the same dog he had seen at Williamson’s home the next day. when ho end M” Brown visited the defendant. for witness to identify do~. Other witnesses gave evidence that Williamson’s dog had been seen worrying a sheep on the aerodrome, and ha'’ to be driven off. The defence was a complete dental that Williamson’s dog was the one responsibi° for <he w'*”"

was '■aid in evidence that the dog, at the t’me when the worrying was fakin'l, nlace, was at home with defendant’s wife and daughter on a front verandah. Two terriers were displaveo in the Court at different times, one | being defendant’s dog, and the other very similar dog, the defence stress-

ing the likeness between the dogs, and pointing out the possibility of mistaken identity. » “On a consideration of the evidence of this case,” said the -S.M., in giving his decision, “the following facts emerge: Mrs Brown, whom I thought a very good witness, identified both the dogs worrying the sheep. She followed them a considerable distance, tried to catch them, and had an excellent opportunity of observing them. Next day she comes to town and catches the dogs. She is in no doubt about them. It is a significant fact that both were identified, and the witness wa s not trapped into saying that the first dog in Court was the dog in question. Mr Gallop’s evidence was also convincing, and he, too, disavowed the first dog in Court. The evidence] of the defence, if believed, accounts, for the presence of the dog from 1.45 p.m. to 3 p.m. on this particular day, and this is the very time that Mrs Brown says the dogg did the worrying. If I accept Mrs Williamson’s evidence, it must follow that the dogs Mrs Brown saw were some other dogs. 1 was not particularly impressed with the evidence of the defehce. 1 do not suggest the evidence was not truthful, but I cannot accept a detailed account of the casual actions of the dog on August 3. Any doubts, however, were removed by_ certain facts. The presence of a red mark on the dog’s throat, for instance. It was.not proved to be.blood, but the fact that it was there,, entitles it to consideration. Again in all dog worrying cases, a very significant fact is the dog’s reputation. Now there was definite evidence that defendant's dog had been detected in the act of sheepworrying. It is well-known that a dog once acquiring a habit of that kind, goes back to it. It is also a wellknown fact that dogs collaborating in such an 'act have a tendency to hunt together, and associate with each other for some days after the event. There was no mistaking the Scotch terrier and the fact that the fox terrier was the day after wo-'rying, in the company of the other dog, lends great strength, and probability to the fact that it was in association with the Scotch terrier on the day the worrying occurred. These facts establish the plaintiff’s case, and he is entitled to the verdict. In such cases, where two dogs are concerned, it is customary to charge half the damage to each owner, unless it is shown that one dog has contributed more than the | other to the worrying, and I give I judgment for the plaintiff for £l4, witji Court costs, witness expenses, ana solicitor’s fee according to scale.” Court costs totalled £2 2s; witness expenses £3 7s, and solicitor’s fee £2 12s. It is probable that Riccarton stables will once more be Strongly represented at the West Coast meetings. H. Nurse is likely to have the biggest team, which will include Palmyra, Financiere, Tantivy, Ryetown, . Gillie, an unnamed three-year-old by Nightmarch from Charmeuse, Rebel. Chief, The Sandvvichman,.. Glenogil, . Teak, Roy Bun . and Alby.

A conference was held in the Town Hall on Thursday to discuss the rating of church properties in the Borough of Hokitika. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) said that for many years the council had not collected rates from any of the church properties in the borough. However,, with the increased expenditure the council was left with no alternative but to collect the rates, but it did not intend to rate th§ areas on which the churches or ministers’ residences were erected. Mr R. Wild said the church people of Hokitika were deeply grateful for the consideration givefi to them over .■ long period of years, but if the council resolved to collect the rate it would mean that those who supported the churches would bo called upon to pay extra. If the council resolved to collect the rates, the Methodist Church would have to pay.£Bl per year, said Rev. Mr Carr. He said this would mean reducing the status of the local church, and no one wanted to see that.

Rev. M. Feist urged the councillors to be true to the spirit of their forefathers, and true to the tradition that had made the name of the West Coast revered throughout New Zealand. The! Mayor said the matter was one for the people. If church properties were permitted to remain unrated, no exception should be taken to the rating of properties other than those occupied by the church and the residents. Councillor Stopforth said the finances of the council were acute, every avenue had to be exploited, and (to doubt certain people would be hurt, but they had a duty to the ratepayers. The churches would receive the fullest consideration. Mr Wild said the churches were just as anxious as anyone else to assist, but the Church of England did not receive on an average more than £2 per year on its land. The question will receive final consideration at the next meeting of the council. At the monthly meeting of the Beautifying Association, held on Monday evening, the president, Mr S. Preston, presided over a fair attendance.

An offer of trees was received from an anonymous donor. A donation of 2s was received from an anonymous donor, £1 is of which is to be used towards the work in Sale Street, 10s 6d was also received from the Women’s Institute Committee.

Discussion then followed as to the possibilities of improving certain scenic sections about Hokitika. The Committee was pleased to nUte that the Borough Council had approved of the Association’s work in Sale Street and Macandrew Square. In the report the executive committee thanked all those who have forwarded their donations and membership subscription of 2s 6d to the Association. ’1 he report stated: —Special thanks are offered to all those residents who have tidied up the frontages of their homes by removing the grass and weeds from t-he footpaths fronting thenproperty. It is distinctly pleasing to find , an increasing number of people keeping the grass on the roadside neatly mowed and trimmed and in this connection special attention is drawn to the “Turner” cup competition which is open to every resident in Hokitika. Householders are reminded that the cup is to be competed for twice yearly and in addition to holding the large cup for six months each winner will receive a miniature replica silver cup. The competition points will be awarded to the householder who makes, in the opinion of the judges, the most progress or improvement in the appearance oi his or her frontage as viewed from the roadway. This will include the footpath, roadside and house frontage. All persons intending to enter for the first competition are requested to hand in their names to the Secretary , Miss Stevenson, P.O. Box 9, Hokitika, not later than February 4th. The Association is indebted to Doctor Teichelman and Mr Haile for their consent to act as judges for the competition; the first of which will be judged in the middle of February, and also to Mr J. L. Turner, who has made the competition possible, by donating the cup. It is with encouragement and pleasure that the Association will continue its advocacy of street improvement for since our publicity column appeared last week several residents have removed the growth from against their front fences and with the lawn-mower have made a great clearance of the rank and unsightly growth on the roadside. These residents will receive any assistance necessary when their street comes under review by the Association. The present policy is to deal with selected blocks and, with the co-operation of the Borough Council and the residents concerned, to make a job of one block at a time. The first of these blocks will be between Stafford and Weld Streets and ft is hoped that the Council will take advantage of the residents co-operation before their enthusiasm wanes. It must be remem-

bered that some definite results must be apparent, if our objects are to be attained. There are still many residents who could do much to improvev their frontages and our streets, oy clearing vegetation from their fences. We appeal t 0 them to spend the halfhour necessary to effect this improxement. To those who have complied with our request we now suggest that an eight-inch border be dug and a hardy annual such as French marigolds planted along the fence. This practice is responsible for much of the beauty of the streets in the residential suburbs of Christchurch, and. could with advantage be adopted in Hokitika.

In the past there have been many isolated attempts by residents to improve their frontages by clearing, levelling and mowing the resultant grass on the roadsides. These eflorts have meant much hard work in a worthy attempt at beautification of the town. There has never been any permanent division between lawns and the gravelled roadway and some motorists and drivers of horse drawn vehicles have shown no respect for the mown grass, and have thereby been the direct cause of residents refusing to ’ carry on this good work. Now that renewed efforts are being made to improve the appearance of the streets, the assistance of all drivers of vehicles is earnestly requested. Some parts of the gravelled roads are very narrow and in places it is impossible at times to keep off the grass; but if drivers will use discretion in parking their vehicles and in turning, especially in wet weather, they will be doing their share in the improvement and earn the appreciation of the residents.

Trim back any overgrowth from shrubs, trees, etc., which encroach on to the footpaths. With the rank vegetation on one side of the path and overgrowing trees, etc., on the. other, there is little room for two people to walk abreast in comfort. This is a matter which should receive the attention of the Borough Council's officers if residents do not do their part.