HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 30 August 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, August 29. The weather became boisterous today, and it was stormy in the evening. • i The death has occurred at Auckland of Mr. Robert Stevenson, a native of Hokitika, aged 72, who, in his earlier days was storeman for Mr. D. Cullen at his shop in Revell Street, before removing to the North Island. Deceased leaves a wife, son and one daughter, and also two sisters (Mrs. J. Aitken (Christchurch), and Mrs. E. King (Hokitika), and one brother, Mr. D. Stevenson (Hokitika).

For the clean-up period ending 28th August, 1939, 193.85 crude ounces oi golf} were recovered by Rimu Flat dredge, from 47,248 cubic_ yards ol material excavated in 125 hours 36 minutes total digging time. At the weekly meeting of the Westland Rugby Sub-Union last evening there were present Messrs Lawn, Davidson, Kelly, Shaw, Kearns, McGregor, Richards and Heenan. The W.C.R-U. notified that United Club’s explanation had been accepted and that Blaketown’s forfeit had been declared void. Mr. Davidson moved that the Union be advised that the explanation of Blaketown Club could not be accepted and the Kiwi Club claimed the points as Blaketown had forfeited the game. This was seconded by Mr. Kelly and carried. Westport Old Boys and Excelsior juniors were granted permission to arrange a match to take place at Hokitika on September 23. It was resolved to write the W.C.R.U. pointing out that Excelsior seniors had received poor consideration as they had no match for eight weeks (including two postponements), staling it would be impossible to ho-d the Ciub together if such conditions weie allow ed t 0 continue. The senior representative fixture for Saturday is South Westland v. Westland at Hokitika, at 2-45 p.m. (Mr. H. J. Seebeck). A l junior matches were postponed to allow junior players to take pari in the seven-a-side tournament at Greymouth on Saturday next. At the annual meeting of the Westland Branch of the Automobile Association' Mr. G H. Chapman (president) presided over a good attend ance. Apologies were received from Messrs Radomski, Millen, Feist, Cooke and Coulson. The president welcomed Messis HC Harley (president), Hawkes (secretary), and Morris (memoer of executive) of the parent body, ana. Messrs Heaphy (president) ana w -Jv Harley (secretary) of the Greymouth Branch. . . The following officers were elected. President, Mr. G. H. Chapman; vicepresidents: Messrs W. J. Rad fold, JJ. Mclntosh, H. F. Cooke and R. G. Millen; council: Messrs G. Sutherland, W. P. Gilligan, J. C. M el E er ’ Clayton, M. Feist, F. Heveld., livan, P. Graham, A. Thompson F. J. Andrewes, J. G. Cameron, D- • Stapleton, G. Buchanan and J. RBennett. Secretary: Mr. H. Park. The resignation of Mr. D. M. Wilson as Christchurch representative was received with regret. Mr. L. M. Foate was appointed in his place Mr Harley addressed the meeting, congratulating the branch on a very successful year and the large release in membership. The total membership on the West Coast (including Greymouth and Westport) was now 1504 and membership of the Association was 11,681. The increase during the last year was greater than during any previous year. He spoke of the increase in the petrol tax and the steps being taken to approacn r. Government on the matter, also on j the question of road safety, and con-j eluded by thanking the meeting fori their welcome. I The chairman brought up tne mat-, ter of roadside signs at corners, and, Mr. Hawkes agreed to bring the matter before the parent body.

A motion by Mr. Turner, of appreciation of services of the patrol offi • cer, was carried with acclamation. The branch report stated that during the year 170 new members were elected, and the membership now stands at 308. On the Grevmouth-Weheka State Highway improvements have been continued southwards from Hokitika, and work is in hand on a length 71 miles south of Kanieri bridge. Of this length, 5 miles 25 chains of formation has been completed, and 1 mile 6‘. chains sealed. Further improve- ! menls -have been completed near i Kokatahi track, north of Ross; a de- ! viation 70 chains long has been comj Dieted in Ross Borough to eliminate i the steep and narrow road over Mont ! d'Or hill; 21 miles of narrow roan I through the settlement of Harihan has been widened, and a deviation is '-under construction near Wataroa, where the road is threatened V'-th - erosion by the Wataroa nver Near Weheka a bridge of two 50 feet spans 'with approaches and protective works has been constructed over Hare Mare stream to eliminate the last remaining bad ford on this highway. i The road between Kumara and Kumara Junction was prepared for seal- . in- and 3 miles 13 chains of thetota length of about 4 miles was sealed -with one coat at m.c. 3. County Council has completed sea.in e over 68 chains of the KameriKoiterangi Main Highway neat Kokatahi, 70 chains of the Upper Kokatahi Main Highway through the ' settlement of Kokatahi, o chains on the Lake Kamen Highway, through the township of Kamen. On the Mananui-Mahinapua road formation has been completed and 40 chains of base coarse metal from the Mahinapua end and top coarse for 10 chains have been completed. The Association failed in its agitation foi turnouts on Hokitika bridge. A deputation waited on the Minister of Mines at Hokitika, and as a result the offer of the P.W.D of £550 (£ for £) was renewed. The Association had a tallv taken of the traffic on the bridge over a period of 24 hours on Tnl v S 21 last. This being the quiete"t time of Iho lor traffic the figures were low, but, if necessa y, 1 is^intended to take another tally during the summer. The local bodies d«elind to take any action in this matU Regarding the dangerous corner at Kanieri the Minister has approved 1 K J?,? submitted by Westlana proposals sunmitwu County Counc.l, except foi te amount of compensation asked for b,. i the land-owner, and it is hoped nego-1 Rations a s to purchase price can be satisfactorily settled. The efforts o | the Association to have | control in Revell Street, , ( have resulted m parking being Pro hibited between Camp and streets The providing of sufficient narking places in the side streets ;s now under consideration by the Im - of turnouts on Hokitika bridge as a m HeX suggested that the bridge tas'lhe'only"practicable- route to the aeroplane landing ground, to iiiv y traffic bridge on briefly referre L‘XJon Egffi up matter of the removal of the five ga body had taken U P thlS lhe ™Ss and subsututihg cattle mg the gates ano he had raoubt the bC w a ork U «ouid be proceeded with.

Mr. Turner brought up the matter of the price of petrol and urged that there should be a universal price for the whole- of New Zealand, pointing out that, owing to country districts having poorer roads, thus using more petrol per mile, the country owner paid more taxation per mile than motorists in cities and districts where more 'had been spent on roads. It

was resolved on the motion of Mr. Turner, seconded by Mr. Clayton that the parent body be requested to take up the matter. Mr. Thompson brought up the question of stock wandering on the roads. Mr. Harlev said legislation was being sought. Mr. Mercer brought up the suggestion of having reliability trials on the West Coast. Mr. Hawkes reported that the Association had been unable to interest members. Mr. Sutherland brought up the question of standing trains obstructing the Weld Street railway crossing. The chairman suggested evidence be obtained of specific instances before approaching the. Railway Department.