HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1938, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

fOur Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, December 13. Many friends throughiut the district will regret to learn of the death last night of Mrs Bessie T. Thompson, of Weld Street. The deacesed, who was the first child to be born in the township of Kanieri, where her parents, Mr and Mrs J. Martin were respected pioneers, was 70 years of age. Her husband the late Frank Thompson, predeceased her twelve years. Of a kindly, genial nature, deceased had a wide circle of friends who will sincerely regret her demise. She leaves a family of one daughter, Mrs J. Cugich (Hokitika), and two sons, Alfred (of the locomotive staff of the Railway Department (Greymouth) and William (Hokitika). She also leaves two sisters, Mrs North and Miss P. Martin, (both of Hokitika). The Foxton which is delayed at Greymouth owing to heavy sea, is due here to-morrow morning.

Tenders are being called for the erection of an infant school and out buildings at Hokitika. The Borough Returning Officer notifies the withdrawal of Mr Steve’ George Feod from the contest for the Borough Council, leaving two candidate, Messrs Heenan and Stuart. The pool i s to be held on Wednesday next The High School Jubilee Committee last evening decided to place the funds at its disposal, approximately £165, in the hands of the School Committee and request it to expedite the erection of a school swimming baths. It was stated that a, revised estimate of the cost of the baths was £lOBl 4s 2d, the cost of materials being £442 14s and of labour £658 10s 2d. The Jubilee Committee’s share of this expenditure was £222 14s, which however, would be reduced to £lB5 if a temporay fence around the baths would suffice. When the Jubilee Committee’s decision was conveyed to the School Committee, later, and the position explained, it was unanimously decided that the offer be accepted and that the School Committee undertake to find £2O to enable an early start to be made with the bath.

A meeting of the Hokitika Sports Club was held last evening, Mr J. R. Taylor presiding, also present being Messrs J. Coulson, H. Kortegast, D. Breeze, D. Stuart, F. McGregor, S. Havill, W. Stopforth, J. Phillips, D. Gillespie, R. Millen, G. Adamson, and E. W. Hee,nan. It was decided to spend- £7 on material for improving the track at Cass Square. Greymouth Cycling Club offered to allow V. P. Loft, amateur cyclist, to finish his. attempt on the 25 mile New Zealand road record in Cass Square on" Boxing Day. Canterbury Centre gave permission for V. P. Boot to compete here on Boxing Day. It was resolved that as only eight entries were; received for the upright chop, thq prize money be £5, £2, and £l. The prize money for the underhand chop was not altered from £30.1t was resolved to run this event off in heats. The following officials were appointed —Official referee: R. Lynn; Chopping Judges: K. Phillips, J. Schroeder; Referee and log. frispec.tr w ; JFlaherty; Charge Official: J.. Phillips; Cycling Judges': W. Stopforth, R. Millen, W. Messenger (Greymouth); Starter: J. J. Williams; lan steward, S. Havill; track officials, J. Breeze, E. C. Murray, D. Gillespie, L. S. Ross, E. C. Toohey, W. Stickle,. H. Thompson, D. Stuart; Running Judge: D. Breeze, running official; H. Steele; Field events: H. Kortegast" and J. Coulson; Dancing: F. McGreg-. or and G.. Macintosh; Gate Steward: W. E. Gavlof; Timekeepers: M. James.. G. T. . Adamson, W. son; The Committee approved of installation of the sound system. The Caledonian Society forwarded 30s to purchase two prizes for national dancing. Donations of cups were received from Mr R. Ford (cycling), and

H. Kortegast (ladies’ flat race). The tender of J. R. Taylor was accepted for the publican’s booth. Two tenders for ice cream booths were declined. The offer of Mrs Preston for tea rooms was accepted.

The Hokitika Borough Council met last evening at 8.15 o’clock. Present: The Mayor (G. A. Perry, Esq.), Crs. W. H. Stopforth,- C. Caliarl, H; Freitas, G. Heinz, J. L. Turner, J. Fox, and A. R. Elcock. An apology was made for the absence of Cr. Parry. The Mayor referred .in feeling terms to . the loss sustained by the death of Cr. Michael and moved that the Council convey its deep sympathy to Mrs Michel and-the members of the family in the deep loss they had sustain r d. —Seconded by Cr. Caliari and carried in silence, members standing. The Treasurer reported receipts £441 9s 3d, payments £666 10s 3d. Debit balance, £447 16s 9d. Water supply loan repayment account receipts 19s 3d, payments £ll 16s Id. Credit balance, £239 Ils 6d. Accounts amounting to £1192 9s 10d were passed.for payment.' The manager of the abattoirs, reported there were slaughtered during November, 18 cows, 2a heifers, . 61 bullocks, 357 pheep, 13 iambs. 13 pigs, 2 calves. Condemned 1 cow. Fees for month, <£6B 19s 6d (same month, last year £69 Is). Re* ceived. Mr Parham was appointed with the powers of an inspector, Cr. Turner moved that the Council ex- ■ press their appreciation of the interest’ being taken by many townspeople in improving, the front of their, properties, and that other rate-payers: be invited to ..take similar. action.---Sec-onded by Cj. Heinz and carried. Following a* suggestion by Cr. Heinz that a. definite; line should be ; given to those improving their frontages as to the distance they should clean up to, the Council to do the rest, it was resolved on the motion of Cr. Stopforth and Cr. Turner to give the necessary notice. Cr. Turner wished to bring before the attention of the Council, the serious condition of the roads. Sewell Street was, in a shocking state' and urgent attention was necessary. He considered It woul<j meet with the approval of the ratepayers if a loan of fIO.nDO was secured and devoted to tar sealing the roads: Some I'2 to 14 miles of roads could be done with that amount, and it would not involve more than, 6d to 9d per' week .for. a property. worth £lOO, and he.’did not think many ratepayers’ would object to that if they got good' roads. The . Mayor said the proposal tq far seal the roads was agreed to by the Council, and th* work was to be carried out as soon as the Sewell Street drain was Cr Stopforth said the state of the streets wa s aboslutely shocking, and it was urgent that at? tention should be given at once. He moved that immediate attention 'be given the potholes. , Heinz said the fault lay in using tob much pit gravel. Beach/graVel or broken riidtal was the beat for a road surface. What was needed was the Borough scraper to he used every day, to be continually on the road, and' they would soon haVe a - good surface. He had told the staff, to use, the scraper, bu,t nothing had. been done. Cr. 'Freitas agreed that Sewell Street .was. a disgrace. He moved that the Foreman be instructed to at once use tire scraper on the roads. He thought advantage should be taken, of an opportunity to set an outside . man, a regular tradesman who was available to 1 carry out the v/ork of tar sealing, and a thorough job be made. The motion' was agreed to. Cr. Stopforth, on behalf of the Reserves Committee, reported on the removal of several trees oir Square while several mor e were. In a dangerous condition. There was some firewood available for sale, and s'eyeral Councilors agreed to take some loads. Att;nflon to further re- ; moyal of trees was left to Cr. Stop- ' forth.... , . ... ' There was a decided easing in 1 prices at the Arahura fat cattle -mar-

ket yesterday, a drop of from £1 to £1 10s per head for all classes. Though the quality was not quite up to the standard of that which has been ruling lately there were many good pens of prime medium weight heifers and bullocks. One of the finest truck lots of heifers of the season came forward from Mr§. A. Diedrichs, but they failed to reach the owner’s reserve, due to the lighter weight cattle being more sought after at this time of year. Beef can be quoted at 35s per 100. Messrs W. . Jeffries arid . Co.’s entry sold as follows: For Mrs. A. Diedrichs, 3 bullocks at £l3 7s 6d, 2 bullocks at £l2 17s 6d, 2 bullocks at £l2 2s 6d, 2 bullocks at £ll 7s 6d, 3 bullocks at £ll 2s 6d, 3 bullocks ’at £ll. For C. Donovan, 7 2-year-old heifers £9 17s 6d, 2 bullocks at £lO 12s 6d, 2 bullocks at £lO Ils 6d, 1 cow at £ll 7s 6d, 1 cow at £lO 7s 6d, 1 runner £7 2s 6d. For T. A. Condon, 3 bullocks at £ll 12s 6d. For J. Ward, 2 cows at £5 17s 6d. For Tokpr Bros., 3 cows at £5 7s 6d. For J. Adamson, 1 bullock at £lO 17s 6d. For D. A. Roberts, 3 runners £5,178 6d, 1 do. at £5 12s 6d, 1 do. at £5 7s 6d, 2 runners at £5 2s 6d, 1 cow at £7 7s 6d, 2 cows at £7 7s 6d.

z At the monthly meeting of the . School Committee last evening, Messrs A. C. Armstrong (Chairman), H. W. R. Sweney, J. Lawrence, A. . Lester, R. J. Pedder, and W. E. Rich- ■ ards attended. Visitors appointed > were Messrs Armstrong and Feist. . The Town’ Clerk wrote, asking for use J of the school as polling booth on De- . cemb’er 21, for by-election;—Granted. . The West Coast School Committees’ ; Association, wrote suggesting appoint - i ment of sub-committee, and suggest- ; ing a meeting in Hokitika of dele- < gates. The Secretary is to reply coni cerning suitable. date. , The Dental Nurses reported as follows:—Nurse Spiers reported: 122 . attendances for 370 operations. Children from Weheka 11, Waiho Gorge 8, and Wataroa 35 were attended to. Nurse R. Wells reported: 90 attendances due. 280 operations. Children from Hokitika 291, Woodstock 10, Awatuna 2, and Humphreys 1, schools were treated. Greymouth Committee wrote , re school cleaning, and asking for a copy of schedule of duties of caretaker at Hokitika. —Information to be supplied. 1 The Department of Health advised that the annual leave be from! December 21 to January 23, 1939. In-j formation that a gas range is to be instafled/in the headmaster’s residence was received. The Chairman reported that the Caledonian Society had donated £2 2s to the Library. Accounts aggregating £ll Is . 4d, were passed. The Treasurer Reported a credit of £34 4s 3d. The Rector (Mr. J. G. Johnston) reported: The roll number is: Secondary 54 boys, 47 girls. Total 101. Primary 177 boys, 149 girls. Total 326. I regret to report, the death of two pupils of the school, Lester Johnston and Francis Cederman. Miss Linklater and Mr. Harrison relinquish their duties as probationer assistants at the end of the term. Forty-two pupils of Std. VI have been awarded Primary School Certificates. I hope . these will continue in the Secondary Department. I think thirteen years of age or even fourteen, is too young for children to leave school. The schodl closes on December 14. The primary school will reopen on February 1, and the Secondary Department on February 6. The Rector said he had been investigating the question of a “career adviser” for the school. Mr. Harper has offered to act as. career a’dv'iser. The Committee commended the Rector for his interest in thie direction and a motion was recorded' on the minutes to that effect. The Rector reported that three new typewriters had been received at the school. ( On the motion of Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Leslie, it was decided to ask the Businessmen’s Association to organise and conduct the annual excursion. On the motion of ’

Mr. Sweney, it was resolved that a vote of thanks be recorded Mr. J. Murdoch (Ross), for having brought to Hokitika a colony of bees in glass hive to demonstrate to the children and give a talk thereon.