HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, June 21. A heavy northerly gale set in last night and continued this morning with a steady rain. There was a heavy sea running to-day. A presentation of a medallion (donated by Mr R. Lynn) was made to exFireman W. Smith, in recognition of past services by the Fire Brigade last evening.

Mr. D. J. Hyndman, of the National Mortgage Coy., is leaving to-mor-row for a trip to Sydney. While he is absent from Hokitika, Mr H. G. Holland, of Christchurch, will be in charge. Despite the adverse weather last evening, 32 members attended the weekly meeting of St. Mary’s Literary and Debating Club. Rev. Dr. Harrison gave an interesting and humorous address on his impressions of travel in Rome.

At the monthly meeting of the Women’s Institute Mrs Harrison (vicepresident), occupied the chair. There was a good attendance. A vote of appreciation was passed to Mrs Paterson for her work in the Institute over a number of years. A roll call “Superstitious” was well responded to. Mrs Millen gave a golden thread talk on northern New Zealand. A competition (best bloom) resulted: —Miss Edith Knight 1; Mrs Parkhill 2; Mrs Ashley 3. A choir circle was formed, with Miss Daly and Mrs Graham in charge. Folk dancing was taken by Miss Dale. The revived sales table proved a great success. Hostesses for the evening were Mesdames Christian, Conning, R. Anderson, Davenport and Gugich. Guests at the Red Lion Hotel include: Mrs T. S. Carey (Ireland), Mr J. A. Trerise, Mr L. Read (Christchurch), Miss L. Arundel (Taumarunui), Mr A. Pointon, Mr M. M. Copeland, Mr R. J. Peattie (Christchurch).

Hokitika won a friendly badminton match played between the Hokitika and Ruatapu clubs at Ruatapu last evening. The final result was Hokitika 10 sets, 232 games, Ruatapu 2 sets, 162 games. Because a recent inspection of the ambulance, owned by the Westland Hospital Board has revealed it to be in a most unsatisfactory state, inquiries are to be made with a view to purchasing a new vehicle. The board has had its ambulance for five years and it has done about 4000 miles. The examination disclosed, among other things, that there was an overload of 1331bs on the chasis and of 4301b5. on the rear tyres, and it was notified to the board that the vehicle would not be allowed to operate in its present condition. There was also a number of other alterations to be done, including structural alterations, and to bring the ambulance up to comply with the regulations would entail an expenditure of at least £5O to £6O. It was considered, however, that the vehicle was well worth £2OO and a sub-committee was set up to make inquiries as to the cost of a suitable new vehicle and what money could be obtained from the sale of the present ambulance. At the Borough Council’s ordinary meeting Cr. J. L. Turner reported, on behalf of the sub-committee, in favour of taxi stands being fixed in Weld Street, opposite the theatre, and in Tancred Street (round the corner) and in front of the Princess Theatre in Sewell Street. These recommendations were adopted. The Council rose at 10.20 p.m. Westland Hospital Board advised that their estimates had not yet been finally approved, but that it is expected that the Council’s proportion of the levy will amount to £2299/17/4, payable in nine instalments, the first being due on May 31 last, and asking that pending approval of the estimates, that a progress payment be now made of £255/11/4. This was approved, but it also was resolved on Cr. Turner’s motion, that representations be made to the Government regarding large and increasing levies paid by the local bodies to Hospital Boards, suggesting a larger subsidy by the Department. J. M. Butland, Brittan Street, asked for permission to lay a pipe for surface water across the footpath at his frontage in Brittan Street.—Approved. The Town Clerk reported that last year rates received by the Council totalled £6,696, made up of general rates £2,734, Hospital rate £1,677, special loan rates £1719, sanitary fees £565. The Abattoirs Manager reported that last month N.Z. Refrigerating Co. advised that there were delivered into Hokitika during May, 34 sheep. Hokitika Businessmen’s Association wrote: (1) Drawing the Council’s attention to the urgent need of stricter supervision to the activities of hawkers in the Borough, and suggesting that the by-laws be considerably amended to deal with this serious nuisance, and if possible, the appointment of a person with authority to enforce the by-law. It was resolved to make a demand for payment on a number of firms. The Association further reminded the Council of the over-increasing necessity for the numbering of houses in the Borough, and would appreciate an assurance of early consideration of this matter. This was further deferred.

C. E. Sparkes, sanitary contractor, offered a new sanitary contract for one year, from August 1, 1939, for a payment of 2/- per sanitary pan, per calendar month. —Left to Mayor to confer and report. A. Mackenzie, Glentui, wrote asking for particulars of sanitary contract if tenders are called.

The question of the failure of hawkers to register in the town was brought up. Crs. Stopforth and Turner insisted that stronger action be taken and urged that the fee be increased. The Mayor pointed out that the fee was fixed by law and could not be altered by the Council. After considerable discussion the Council instructed the Town Clerk to take action in the matter. The foreman reported on the following works carried out during the month: Four days were spent in tarsealing, carrying us up to between Rolleston and Davie Streets in Hampden Street, 52 chains finishing the tar from the gasworks and four days finishing Livingstone Street, gravelling into Mr. Straight’s residence, also four days were spent in clearing and gravelling the extension of Brittan Street north of Park Street, three and a-half chains being done, and four concrete pipes put in the drain on the north side of Park Street. Two gravelled roadways were put in to the new school, one in Park Street and one in Sale Street. A gravelled crossing was put in to Mr. Gale’s in Sale Street between Weld Street and Gibson Quay, and a crossing in Park Street at Mr. Green’s gravelled. A large break took place in Fitzherbert Street between Stafford and Weld Streets, evidently ■ an old wooden drain leading to thei Railway yard under Fitzherbert 1

Street, taking several loads of sand to. fill up. New water services were put in at the following new residences: Mr. M. Houston, Revell Street; Mr. Zampese, Revell Street; Mr. Monks Sewell Street; Mr. Caliari, Hampden Street; Mr. Schroeder, Revell Street; and l the water services renewed at Miss Keller’s in Hall Street. A concrete crossing was put in at Mr. F. Fretias’s in Revell Street, and the culvert on the north boundary road repaired. Five chains of wire was put on the fence on the southern boundary of the cemetery and a new gate erected to keep cattle from getting in, and the pipe drain cleared half way up the hill, and Spencer Street repaired at the bottom of the hill, having been scoured out by flood water from the hill. The fence and gate at the reservoir was repaired, also the track leading from the road vyas cleared and repaired. Traffic signs were erected along Revell Street about sixteen being put up. Nine 2ft. 3in. concrete pipes were put in Livingstone Street drain, the wooden part of the drain being rotten. The average depth of water in the reservoir -for the month was 9ft. 4in. Westland Licensing Committee advised that the Department of Justice had revised the matter of salaries of Clerks of the Licensing Committees in order to fix such salaries on a more equitable basis, the quantem of salary in each case being based on the number of licenses and the amount of revenue derived therefrom by the local authorities. Regarding the Westland District the amount of £5O a year was considered reasonable. The adjustment to date from April 1, 1939, and the salary should be paid in four quarterly instalments during each year. At the Hospital Board meeting last evening there were present: Messrs E. W. Heenan (chairman), W. A. Jamieson, J. L. Turner, T. W. Duff, G. Heinz, A. Dale, and J'. Fox. Apoloigies for absence were received from [Messrs A. R. Elcock, G. H. Chapman, and J. A. Murdoch. Koiterangi Women’s institute advised of its approval lof the proposed site at the Westland Hospital for the new maternity home. The South Westland Medical Association advised the resignation of Dr. Cotter. The Wataroa Medical Association wrote enquiring as to why there was still delay in the building of a South Westland district maternity hospital. Members of the Board' expressed opposition to the building of such hospital, saying the cost would be between £3OOO and £5OOO, while there were only few births in South Westland. It was resolved to ask South Westland people to meet the Board, and discuss the matter. It was considered that improved travelling facilities and the improved facilities in Hokitika, combined with the financial stringency, must be taken into consideration. ’ The chairman, Mr Duff and the secretary were appointed to visit the southern centres and discuss the matter with the people. The Department of Health advised that the Board may claim for maternity services rendered by district nurses. The Bruce Bay Casualty Station was discussed. It was stated this cost £BB7 to build, and was now in the wrong place owing to the moving on of the Public Works camps. It was resolved that the same committee to deal with the Wataroa district matter inspect the property at the Bay and confer wih the Public Works Department’s district engineer. It was decided to inquire into the cost of a new ambulance, and the approximate realisation on the old vehicle. Messrs Heinz, Turner, Duff and the chairman were elected to deal with the matter. Mr Heinz reported on his and Mr Chapman’s finding with regard to firefighting appliances, and recommended a water-supply with an initial cost of about £loo.—lt was resolved to leave the matter to Mr Heinz to be carried out. It was stated that from the first of July, six shillings pei’ day would be accepted as full settlement for treatment in the hospital, except that people demanding private rooms should be liable for the extra cost. Patients would be liable for cost in full of all treatment received before that date. The treasurer reported: Receipts £1404 17s 3d, expenditure £1787 Ils Bd. Accounts’ amounting to £l9lO 14s 8d were passed for payment. The acting-Medi-cal Superintendent reported: Remaining in hospital April 30, 65; admitted during May, 81; total treated during month, 146; remaining in hospital May 31, 54. The gardener reported that laying down of lawns was completed early in the month; a total of eighteen lawns have been laid down during the last year. The planting of about 5000 spring bulbs has been completed. Seed for spring flowering plants has been sown. The Matron reported

the highest number of occupied beds for May was 71, lowest 51, average for month 65.8. No. of X-rays 73, screenings 1, operations 35, physiotherapy treatment-massage 77.’ A new class commenced on May 2, comprising Nurses Robinson, Wells, McLengen, Worthington, Bassett, Brown, Quinn, and Nurse Yates. Nurses Revell, Greenop, Kelliher, Inder, Rodgers, Clausen, Taylor and Charman obtained their fourth year certificates. Nurses Duffy, York and Murcott sat for the anatomy examination, results not being yet to hand. The report added: “I would suggest to the members of the Hospital Board, seeing we are now an ‘A’ Grade training school, that a Westland Hospital Certificate should be issued to all candidates passing this examination. This is really an important examination, as it marks the end of their fourth year of training, and no pupil nurse can sit for the State examination unless this examination is passed. A certificate is issued by most other hospitals.” The farm manager reported: 839 gallons of milk was produced during the month,, the institution being supplied with 575 gallons of milk and 264 pints of cream. The following produce was sold to the institution during the month: Milk £43 2s 6d; cream £l3 4s; firewood (4 loads)

£2; eggs (4 dozen) 4s; vegetables (822 lbs.) £3 18s 6d; poultry (4 roosters) 10s; total £62 19s. It was resolved to procure certificates for issue to nurses passing their training examinations. It was decided to advertise the position of night sister. It was resolved that all prices of farm produce be put down at market rates on the next balance sheet. The Department of Health forwarded Ministerial approval of grant of £75 -to Kumara Medical Association for year ended 31/3/38; also to the sale of land to the Mental Hospitals Department.