HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 August 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, August 22. The increase in the Westland Hospital Board’s levies on local bodies will be the subject to-morrow of a conference of the local bodies at 2.30 p.m.. at the County Chambers. Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), J. Turner and Elcock will represent Hokitika Borough Council. Dredging returns include the following: Rimu Flat 203 ozs for 124 hours from 41,697 yards; Gillespie’s Beach 58 ozs for 210 hours from 24,247 yards; Okarito 49 ozs for 1321 hoilrs.

Sales at Arahura yards yesterday by Messrs M. Houston and Co. were as follows: On account of W. R. Adamson 1 runner at £6 7s 6d 2 heifers at £8 17s 6d, 2 at £8 17s 6d, 2 bullocks at. £ll 2s 6d, 2 at £ll 7s 6d, 2 heifers at £8 2s 6d, 2 at £9 12s 6d, 2 bullocks at £9 17s 6d, 2 at £lO 17s 6d, 1 at £ll 7s 6d, 2 at £ll 17s 6d, 1 cow at £9 17s 6d, 1 bullock at £l2 12s 6d, 1 at £l2 2s 6d, 2 heifers at £lO 7s 6d, 2 at £lO 2s 6d, 1 cow at £8 17s 6d, 2' heifers at £ll 7s 6d, 1 heifer at £l4 2s 6d, 2 at £lO 2s 6d, 1 bullock at £l4 7s 6d. 2 at £l2 2s 6d, 2 at £l2 2s 6d, 1 stag at £ll 2s 6d. On account of A. Bradley 1 cow at £5 7s 6d. Included in the entry from W. R. Adamson, of Wataroa, was an exceptionally good black poll’ heifer of outstanding quality, for which there was keen competition, it being finally secured by Messrs Stewart and Sons, of Grey mouth, for £l4 2s 6d. There were 31 members present last evening at the meeting of the Aero Club, Messrs H. T. Lawn (chair), Drummond (secretary), B. F. Hunter, K. W. Reece, H. B. Preston, E. W. Heenan,'J. Richards, W. Koch, O Templeton, J. Howat F. Williamson, P. H. Renton, P. E. L. Renton, J. Stuart, A. Hopgood, E. Eadie, L. A. R. E. Norriss, T. Harris, J. D. Neave, G. Key, S. Loader, J. J. Mclntosh, L. Boyer, N. C. McLeod, J R. Taylor, T. Burrowes, J. Bassett, E. W. Toohey, G. H. Chapmen, J. Kulsen, A. J. Johnson, V. Martin and R Wild. The chairman welcomed new members. He urged the new committee to complete new club rooms as Mr Mclntosh’s rooms, kindly placed at their disposal, were now too small. After considerable discussion on the possibility of financing club rooms, Mr P. E. L. Renton stated representations made to the Centennial Committee for a subsidy had failed. With rooms, he said, Hokitika would have a claim for the West Coast Club’s plane to be stationed here. Mr R. Wild moved that the club issue £lO debenutres redeemable in 15 years with interest payable annually at the rate of five per cent. This course was considered worthy of special consideration. With a view to presenting more detailed information, Messrs G. H. Chapman, P. E. L. Renton, E. Eade and J. R Taylor were appointed to investigate the;, matter and report to a special meeting of the club on Thursday. To raise money for completing the hangar, it was resolved to organise a concert in the Regent Theatre on Sunday, September 3. The secretary reported Mr H. Bell (Station Director of 3ZB) had again offered the club the assistance of the Commercial Broadcasting Service and would be pleased to provide artists for a portion of the programme, and would also undertake a further Coast-to-Coast relav if such a course would be beneficial It was decided to hold a hard-up ball on September 20. Mi’ B. F. Hunter referring to the annual ball, spoke on the question of some being club members only for personal gain, and he opposed acceptance of subscriptions made with such a motive. Other members, spoke to the same effect. At the R.S.A. monthly meeting it was decided to take! no action on an appeal from Pakeno R.S.A. for aid to build a club room. It was notified that as there are no members uneni-

ployed here there was no need of an allocation from the Canteen Fund The branch membership was reported as 196, or 13th on the ladder. Mr P. A. Taylor was appointed to the executive to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Mr W. Eastgate to represent the Kurnara subbranch. Mr C. Hart reported six exservicemen in "the Westland Hospital. The president extended a hearty welcome to M» W. E. Brown (ex-presi-dent). It was decided to send a letter of thanks to Mr Riordan lor the donation of a photograph of New Zealand troops, to be hung in the hall. Final arrangements were made for the re-union to be held on Saturday next.

The West Coast go.f championships begin to-morrow at Mahinapua links. Shield teams are: Hokitika team: G. Adamson Chesney, Steel, Des Forges. Hokitika ladies: Nb. 1, Mrs Andrewes. Miss Adamson, Miss Cooke, Miss King. No. 2, Mrs Johnston, Miss Stevenson, Mrs C. Ross, Miss Yarrall. Greymouth ladies, Mrs Hooper, Mrs G. McKay, Mrs Tizard, Miss Deere. I’he Borough Council met last evening, there being present, the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. Caliari, Freitas, Elcock, Turner. Stuart, Heinz, Fox and Stopforth. The treasurer reported receipts £765 Ils 7d; expenditure £913 17s 7d. Accounts amounting to £llB9 2s lOd were passed lor payment. A deputation comprising Messrs B. F. Hunter, K. Reece and H. Preston from the Hokitika Aero Club asked the council for permission to hold a concert in the Regent Theatre on Sunday, September 3.—Granted. A number of State house tenants waited on the council with regard to the loading of a section of Davie Street. The Mayor explained this had been arranged with the Department and would be put in hand as soon as possible. The Director of Housing Construction wrote in regard to the Municipal Reserves now under offer for housing purposes that it may not be possible to obtain legislative authority to waive tne provisions of Section 156 (2) of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1933, which waiver the council made a condition of its offer to sell. The Director drew attention to the benefit which should accrue to the borough, if the proceeds from the sale of these reserves were allowed to accumulate over a period of years, when a valuable fund would be available for the purchase of land for public reserves within the borough. He asked whether the council would re-consider Its decision and waive the condition. The council decided not to withdraw its refusal, except in regard to a small section in Haast St. Donations totalling £lll were received from 16 subscribers in the town for the painting and renovating of the outside of the Town Hall. Abattoir report: Stock slaughtered for month of July, 38 co'ws, 28 heifers, 76 bullocks, 283 sheep, 45 lambs, 13 pigs, 11 calves; condemned three cows, one heifer. Fees collected £BO 14s, compared with £7l 4s for the corresponding month last year. Hokitika Businessmen’s Association wrote re non-park-ing of cars in Revell Street stating that a five-minutes’ limit was too short. This was deferred for further consideration. Cr. Stopforth reported improvements to the playing area of Cass Square would be undertaken by sporting bodies without expense to the Council.—-The Council approved the proposal tentatively. In reply to Cr Turner the Town Clerk replied that arrears of rates spread over the past three years amounted to £2501 Is 6d. Cr Turner said that while money was spent on filling up potholes the town would never get ahead. A comprehensive programme of good tar-sealing was necessary. The Town Clerk stated that if the rates were spread uniformly, over the whole body of ratepayers, each one would be called on for over £ll per annum. The Controller of Civil Aviation advised that landing charges on Hokitika aerodrome are under

consideration, but a decision cannot be reached until further investigation of the rates of the various bodies interested in ownership and control of the aerodrome. ■ Mr R. Herring wrote tendering his resignation as caretaker, to lake effect about the end of October; also tendering his thanks to the council for consideration. —Received with regret. Mr Robert Fleming, Revell' Street, wrote that a watercourse through the back of his property is blocked, asking that the council have the watercourse cleaned out.—Referred to the Works Committee. Mrs A. M. Appleton, Livingstone Street, asked that gorse along the frontage of her sections be cleared, and street drainage be attended to, as some land suitable for building had no reasonable access. —Referred to Works Committee. Mrs Rose Butler wrote that she is waiting to build a dwelling on Section 503, Hoffman Street, and would be glad of the council’s decision in regard to the formation of a roadway to her section. —Referred to Works Committee. The Beautifying Association wrote pointing out the necessity for a stock route through the borough.—Referred to Town Clerk for report. The Mayor stated they had met Mr Searle, Housing Engineer and fresh plans for the work at the Botanical Garden site which the council have been requested to quote for. would be drawn up. It was resolved to complete fencing of Livingstone Street drain. In connection with the new valuation, the Town Clerk reported there were 808 assessments made, with 643 ratepayers, and the average rate payment would amount to £ll 0s 6d. It was reported that all objections had been settled. Mrs Preston was given permission to instal a septic tank. N.Z. Refrigerating Coy. advised 106 sheep and 23 lambs were delivered by it here in July, also that it proposed to review the contract for purchase of runners made with the council on behalf of local butchers. Mr C. E. Sparkes. sanitary contractor, wrote in regard to renewal of the contract he will have to provide a new vehicle at considerable cost and would be prepared to continue the contract for one year from August 1, 1939, for £670, and further to renew the contract from year to year thereafter at the same rate. R. Boulton, Linwood, wrote asking for particulars of wages for sanitary contract. At Arahura sale yards yesterday there was a full yarding of cattle, totalling 87 head. The quality was good, with the exception of a few pens, which showed the effects of the recent severe weather. The attendance of buyers was good, and the sale, Which at the commencement was rather weak, firmed as it progressed. W. J. Jeffries and Co’s, entry came from Messrs F. W. and J. M. Gibb, and comprised 48 head, which sold from, 38s to 41s per lOOlbs. Sales were as follows: 1 bullock £l5 12s 6d, 2 bullocks £l4 12s 6d, 2 bullocks £l4 17s 6d, 4 bullocks £l4 2s 6d, 1 bullock £l3 17s 6d, 3 bullocks £l3 2 S 6d, 1 bullock £l2 12s 6d, 2 bullocks £l2 7s 6d, 2 bullocks £l2 2s 6d, 2 bullocks £ll 7s 6d, 2 heifers £l2 2s 6d. 5 heifers £ll 17s 6d, 5 heifers £ll 12s 6d, 3 heifers £ll 7s 6d, 3 heifers £lO 17s Gd, 3 heifers £lO 7s 6d, 2 cows £lO 12s 6d, 1 cow £9 17s 6d, 1 cow £9 2s 6d, 3 cows £8 12s 6d.

On technical grounds, a charge, brought against J'. Morresy, licensee of the Wataroa Hotel, South Westland, of having refused to supply a meal when called on to do so was dismissed by Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court al Wataroa. Constable C. George appeared for the police, and Mr M. B. James (Hokitika for Morresey, who pleaded not guilty.

A service-car driver named Adamson Constable George said, had been detained with 27 passengers at Wataroa, by a wash-out. At 11.30 a.m. the day, Adamson had applied to Morressey for dinner to be served for himself and his passengers. Morresey;

after making inquiries in the domestic part of the hotel, had returned to say that meals could not be supplied. Morresey had made no offer to supply even cups of tea. In cross-examination, Adamson admitted that he was always welcome in the kitchen of the hotel and that, for himself, there had been no need to ask for a meal. He had no doubt but that he would have got a meal in the kitchen that day.

The Magistrate said that, the charge was limited to the refusal of a meal to Adamson because none of the tourists fiad been mentioned in the information under which the charge was laid. Because of the evidence of Adamson, it could not be said that he had been refused a meal. The charge therefore must fail on purely technical grounds. It was quite clear that Morresey had acted very unwisely. It was his duty to have supplied a meal to tourists held up by stress of weather. That, however, did not mean that a party of 28 persons could descend on a small country hotelkeeper outside the ordinary meal .hours and demand a three-course meal. That would not be reasonable and it was not the law. Morresey was required to do something reasonable for the party in providing refreshments. This he had not done. Had the prosecution been laid in respect of refusing to supply the tourists, Morresey must have been convicted. On the information of the Inspector of Awards (Mr Rawlins), Morresey, who pleaded not guilty, was charged with breaches of the hotel workers’ award. It was claimed that two employees, Margaret Todd and Nellie Nissen,’had worked more than 40 hours without overtime payment, in accordance with the award. Evidence was given by Todd, Nissen, and the assistant-secre-tary of the hotel employees’ union (Mr A. Howarth). No evidence was given by the defence, which submitted that a breach had not been proved. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff for a penalty of 30s for each breach, the Magistrate saying that the penalty was not heavier because of the substantial witnesses’ and travelling' expenses to be paid by defendant. Nellie Nissen was ordered to pay 17s 6d, including costs, on a charge o' having made an incorrect entry in a holiday time book. On a similar charge, Margaret 7odd' was ordered to pay a similar penalty | A charge against Morresey of hav-| ing made an incorrect entry in a time; and wages book was dismissed. The Department of Labour claimed that! Morresey had used “ditto” marks in making up the book, instead of using figures. On inquiry from the Magistrate, the Inspector of Awards said that he was not able to mention authorities that such marks constituted an incorrect method of keeping the book. The onus of proof was on the inspector, the Magistrate said in dismissing the information.