HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 3 May 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, May 2. Hokitika has the prospect of cheaper electricity in the near future. The Borough Council at a special meeting last evening, considered communication on the matter from Kanieri Electric, Ltd. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (G. A. Perry, Esq.), Councillors Turner, Caliari, Fox, Elcock, Heinz and Stuart. Apologies were made for Crs. Freitas ana Stopforth. Kanieri Electric, Ltd., advised that their manager, Mr W. J. Radford, was leaving for America at the end of May and he would be returning on September 1. During his visit ne would confer with his directors in regard to electric lighting arrangements in Hokitika. A review of the contract with the Council would come up at the end of the ten yeaj? period on August 21*next, and it was suggested that the Council defer consideration thereof until the return of Mr Radford, as he proposed in conference with his directors a arrangement of the prices tor power to bring them into line with those charged in the neighbouring town of Greymouth. The Council decided extend the date of settlement of trie ten year period until September 21, conditional on the rights of the Council not being prejudiced It was considered that the suggestion would enable a prompt agreement to be rati-J lied. The Mayor stated that there was no possibility of the Council taking over the rights of the Company at valuation as the contract provided for, if so desired. On Saturday night, Mr A. Good was the guest at a gathering of the Hokl-I tika Municipal Band, of which he has been a member for about 23 yea^s, 1 prior to his departure with Mrs Good this morning, to reside in Christ-1 church. Mrs C. B. Ross and lady' friends supplied a sumptuous spread.’ Mr A. Parkhill occupied the chair. I The toast of the guest of the evening was proposed by the conductor (Mr C. B. Ross), who referred to Mr Good’s useful work as a bandsman. He had also occupied the position of secretary for a long period. He referred to the splendid services the Good iam v ily had rendered Hokitika, and wishen him every success in future. Mr \v. E. Richards (cx-conductor of tnej Band), on behalf of the members/ presented Mr Good with a cheque, 1 and wished him and Mrs Good prosperity. Practically every member of the Band spoke of Mr Good’s good qualities as a bandsman and expressed regret at his departure. Mr Good,! ih returning thanks, said he would' miss the good fellowship which had always existed among the members of the Band. Several other toasts were honoured, including “The Veterans.” It was stated that one memoer had a record of 57 years, and another of 51 years with the Band, and that six' others had over 24 years’ experience. A sp’endid musical programme was provided, both vocal and instrumental, Mr Koch being the accompanist.'

At the meeting last evening of the Wqmen’s Institute, Mrs S. J. Preston presided. It was unanimously reso'ved to send a letter to the Hospital Board, protesting against the proposed situation of the new Maternity Home, and suggesting that it should be built in the residential part of the] town, not up on the hill, next to the Old Men’s Home, as is at present intended. Arrangements were finalised [ for the Institute drama festival on May 30 at the Princess Theatre. Mesdames Frederic. Davenport, Lynch, Benjamin and Parkhil] vo'unteered to act as doorkeepers, and Mesdames Lynch, Benjamin and Mitchell promised to attend to the supper to he held after the performance It was announced that the Drama Circle would meet on May 8, at Mrs Bassett’s residence. It was reported that

a choir was being formed. Mr H. M. Coulson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for an account of hig. voyage abroad the liner “Orion” on the occasion of the Coronation. Supper was served by Mesdames Bassett, J. Breeze, Benjamin, Johnston, and Appleton. Mrs B. Rivers, formerly of Reefton, is at present a visitor to Hokitika, and is the guest of Mr and Mrs P Toomey. The m.v. Gael sailed this morning for Wellington, and leaves on return on Thursday. The Magistrate’s Court will not sit here until Friday morning, when the relieving Magistrate will preside. Guests at Hotel Westland 'nchide: Mr and Mrs R. J. Laffan (Wellington), Mr R. J. Laffan (Christchurch); Mr and Mrs Lou (S. Africa), Mr and Mrs A. F. Stevens (Morton), Misses J. and M. Mather (Sydney). Mr -T. Newham (Cyprus). Mr F. Monopon (Nelson), Mr .J. M. Howden, Miss C. Howden (Waiukee), Mr H. H. Conway (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs M.’ Williams (Greymouth). Rimu Flat dredge return this weeK was 121ozs 16dwts for 1033houjs, from 32,790 yards, and Okarito dredge return was 22ozs Sdwts in 110 hours. Basketball results in the local competition were as fo'lows: —A Grade:— Koiterangi 7 v. School A 6, Old Girls - A 10 v. Convent Sec. A 3, St. Marys 7 v. Victorians 2, Koiterangi 10 v. St. Mary’s 8. St. Patrick’s won from Old Girls’ B by default. B Grade:—Convent Sec B 0 v. Convent Primary a 1. School B 10 v. Hopefuls 0, School C 3 v. Convent Primary B 1, School! D 5 v. Rivals 0. I

At the meeting of the Westland Rugby Sub-Union, there were present Messrs S. Moore (chairman), E. Shaw, A. Stevenson, S. Havill, B. Kelly, W. Kearns, C. L. Harper, J. Richards, F. McGregor, M. Davidson and E. W. Heenan (secretary!. The following fixtures were made for Saturday:— Senior. 2.45 p.m.—Excelsior v. Blaketown. No. 1 ground, Cass Square (Mr Algar); Kiwis v. Stars at Greymoyth. Junior, 2.30 p.m. —Kokatahi v. Kiwis at Kokatahi (Mr C. Briggs); Pirates v. Ross at Woodstock (Mr D. Jj}ead); 2.45 p.m.—Excelsiors v. Ruatapu, No. 2*ground. Cass Square (Mr H. J. Seebeck). Third Grade, 1.30 p.m.—Rovers v. Excelsior. Cass Square (Dr. Harrison); School v. Kiwis, Cass Square (Mr J. Griffiths).. It was decided that Ihe third-grade fixture, Rovers v. Kiwis, which was played last Saturday at Woodstock bo replayed owing t o a School player having taken the field for Kiwis. The Referees' Association’s nominee to the Referees’ Appointment Board, Mr C. L. Harper, was approved. It was decided to purchase a blackboard for referees demonstration purposes. • Ross Club notified they would be unable to field a team from Mav 13 to 27, owing to eight of their players having to attend a military camp. The secretary was instructed to submit a report as to, the extent other clubs were affected by members having to attend the camp. The following players were regraded as juniors.—P. Mitchell (Ross), J. Bradley and K. Wallace (Excelsiors). It was resolved that if the player, L. Agnew, graded at last meeting as a junior, was the Pirate senior player of last season,, he be notified that the application would be refused. It was decided that all third-grade players be weighed in at the pavilion next Saturdav before the commencement of matches, Messrs Havill and Muirhead to be in charge. , It was reported that the Arahura Club had withdrawn from the junior competition. It was resolved to ask the Borough Council for permission to turn on the floodlights facing the pavilion so that teams could assemble on the grass off the field for scrummage practice. Mr B. Kelly was appointed Excelsoir delegate in p’ace or Mr F. Freitas. The Rresidcn*. Messrs W. Kearns, A. Stevenson. M. Da •'idson and B. Kelly were appointed to attend the West Coast Union meeting to urge the appointment of three selectors for the West Coast district

instead of a sole selector. In this the delegation proved successful. At the Borough Council meeting last evening Mr M. H. Houston was appointed as Borough Assessor on the Assessment Court in connection with the revaluation of the town. The Town Clerk stated that the District Deeds Office required the, Council to pass resolutions agreeing not to claim frontages to severr|l sections, wheie the buildings or fences Hid not come up to the street line. In one section the fence was back at one end four inches and at the other end nine inches, and the Deeds Office requirea formal denial of the intention to claim the area. The necessary resolutions were agreed to. It was decidea that the Chairman of, Public Works arrange for the immediate formation and gravelling of two approaches to the new school building in Sale Street, the formation of a footpath and cleviing to be carried out later. Cr. Freitas was appointed to the Centennial Committee in place of Cr. Fox, the latter stating he was unable to attend the meetings.