HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 November 1939, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, November 21. Whitebait have been a little more plentiful, fair hauls being yesterday secured at the entrance of the Hokitika River, but it is the South Westland rivers which give the best results, about 6001 b having yesterday been brought up by plane and despatched to Christchurch, mostly from the Karangarua River, and some from the Haast and the Paringa. Mr Geo. Cameron, a bushman, of Harihari, is a patient at the hospital with an axe wound in the right knee. Mr Charles D. Grieve, lost joints from the second anti third fingers of his right hand through their coming in contact with a circular saw. The sufferer, who is an employee of F. Williamson. Ltd., is a patient at the hospital. Okarito dredge return this week is 17oz 4dwt for 130 hours. I

Mr J. O. Langford has resigned from his charge xs Pastor of the Hokitika Church of Christ.

The Westland Racing Club Committee last evening accepted tenders for rights at its Boxing Day meeting as follows: Publican’s booths (2) Mr T. W. Butler, Dunedin Hotel; sweets and ice cream stall. Mr C. Fowler. The committee adopted a programme to be run in Centennial week on the 24th and 26 February. The stakes are £l5OO for the two days. It was reported that Canterbury owners would enter a good number of horses for the West Coast meetings. Advice was received that the one per cent, tote rebate could not be restored in war time. It was resolved to forward a letter of sympathy to Mr J. J. McIntosh, who is a patient at the Westland Hospital. About 100 people yesterday observed a demonstration of land clearing on the holding of Mr J. W. Bergman at Poerua Settlement, near Harihari. i Clearing of stumps begun previously, was yesterday continued, and a patch of native bush was also dealt with. The clearing .revealed excellent land for pasture. Members of the County' Council were among those present. I

At a meeting of the R.S.A. Executive last evening accounts amounting to £.39 14s 6d were passed for payment. It was decided to support a suggestion that the N.Z. executive repeat its request to the Government to introduce compulsory military service. It was reported there was no local canteen fund grant as no exsoldiers here were unemployed. Messrs C. Opie and C. H. Wright applied for transfer to Bluff and Christchurch respectively. Advice was received that the levy of 2s per member to entertain Australian visitors, who are not coming till after the war would be placed in trust for use when the visit eventuated. The Department of Internal Affairs advised that the headstones for four e£-sold~ lers, buried in the Hokitika Cemetery had been forwarded for erection. Headquarters advised that the Dominion membership at the end of September was 22,918, Hokitika branch was placed 28th on the ladder with a total of 196. The secretary stated I that the Hokitika membership had increased to 228.

The ministerial session of the Methodist District Synod opened this morning in the Methodist Sunday School Hall. The chairman of the Nelson and West Coast Synodal district, Rev. J. D. McArthur, of Blenheim, presided and others pi’esent were Rev. W. Rowe (Nelson), Rev. Moses Ayrton (Richmond), Rev. H. V. Utting (Motueka), Rev. T. Carr (Blenheim), Rev. C. H. Kendon (West-' port), Rev. L. T. Norwell (Reefton), Rev. A. A. Bensley (Greymouth), Rev. L. Gordon Hanna (Hokitika). Three Home Missionaries were also present, Messrs C. G. Brown (Havelock). G. W. Crammond (Murchison) and N. R. Hooper (Wakefield). The main business was the examination

of Rev. L. T. Norwell in probationary work and examination of two candidates for the. ministry. Mr Norwell was recommended to be passed in his probationary year. Mr C. G. Brown was recommended to the Conference, in February next, as a candidate. The Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry, this evening extended the visitors a civic welcome at the church.

At the ordinary meeting of the Borough Council, there were present: Crs. A. R. Elcock tin the chair), G. Heinz, W. H. Stopforth, J. L. Turner, J. Fox, D. P. Stuart, and C. Caliari.

Apologies for absence were received from Crs. H. T. Parry, F. D. E. Freitas and the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry).

The abattoirs report for October showed that 26 cows, 28 heifers, 88 bullocks, 266 sheep, 11 lambs, seven pigs and 3 calves were dealt with. Fees collected amounted to £73 18s, compared with £6B 10s for the corresponding month last year. N.Z. Refrigerating Co. Ltd. advised that during October, 139 sheep and two lambs were delivered here. The financial statement showed receipts £320 6s 4d and expenditure £1,513 9s 3d. Accounts amounting to £1,637 Ils 6d were passed for payment.

The Mayor and Crs. Turner and Stuart were delegated to a conference at the County Chambers re emergency precautions. At the request of the Beautifying Society, it was agreed to have the fence round McAndrew Square removed. It was decided to patch Weld Street with broken metal, and the Works Committee was instructed to report on other tar sealing work. The question of the campers using Cass Square as a camping ground was referred to the Reserves Committee to make suitable arrangements.

The Town Clerk was appointed reIgistrar of dogs, and authorised to close the borough office from December 23 to January 4. The balcony of a building in Revell Street was reported unsafe, and it was decided to send notification to the owners to have it repaired. It was decided to appoint a Swimming Bath Management Committee. The Traffic Inspector reported that six motorists and one cyclist received notices for offences. The Health Inspector reported a clean sheet. It was decided to attend to a complaint from Mr. T. F. Stanley regarding surface water flowing on to his section in Rolleston Street. Mr. J. L. Turner asked to have the footpath in front of his property in Sewell Street kerbed and tar sealed, applicant to pay half the cost.—This was granted.

It was decided to grant an application from Mr. W. T. Kearns to gravel the footpath in front of his section in Sewell Street.

| An application from Mr. A. Summer for attention to the footpath in Sewell Street was granted. The Director of Housing Construction advised that the Council’s tencTer for roading and servicing the Department’s Block (Reserve 445, Bontanical Gardens) had been recommended to Cabinet for formal acceptance, and as soon as the monetary authority was obtained the Council would be advised. In the meantime, preparations could be i made to start the work. j

I The Public Trustee, Greymouth, advised that the late Mr. W. F. Bone was owner of Sections 650, 652, and 654, fronting Gibson Quay, and it was desired to transfer one section, which i constituted a subdivision, but as Gibson Quay was not a public street, such action was precluded by Section 125 of the Public Works Act 1928. It was suggested that the Council pass a resolution exempting transfers of this land from the section, which j would enable the District Land Registrar to register ti4e transfers.—lt was decided to agree to this suggestion, and the Town Clerk was instructed to ascertain the position of | the Council with regard to sections on the western side of North Revell 1

Street and he was also asked to en- ! quire into the position of the Coun- | cil with regard to Gibson Quay. ; An application from Miss M. Tomlinson to instal a septic tank at n I section in Hampden Street, . was 1 granted. I The Automobile Association wrote 'the Minister of Public Works in rejgard to turnouts on the Hokitika railway bridge, and the Minister agreed to increase the subsidy to £3 for £1 to enable one turnout to be completed, and on the basis of an estimated cost of £550 per turn-out each of the two local bodies would be required to contribute £6B 155.The Council decided to take no action. The Association also referred to the danger to school children in crossing Hampden Street, to and from the public school, and asked that a pedestrian crossing be marked across the street, opposite the main gates of the school. If this were done, the Association would cooperate with the school master in endeavouring to train the children to use the crossing.—The request was granted. The District Railways Engineer wrote that the matter of children cycling down the inclines of the railway bridge at Hokitika had been referred to the District Traffic Manager.

Rev. M. H. Feist wrote pointing out that the corner of the road at the entrance to the Hokitika Cemetery was dangerous to motorists and suggesting it be remedied at a small cost. It was decided to approach the Mental Hospital authorities in regard to this matter. It was decided to accept an offer by the Business Men’s Association to co-operate in. any efforts made to recognise the departure of local men about to leave on active service.

The Fire Board’s ordinary meeting was attended by Messrs A. R. Elcock (chairman), W. Braddon, S. J. Preston, A. H. Box, Grant, and W. E. Gaylor (secretary). The Fire Brigade was granted £2O for a team to compete at the Centennial demonstration next March. The treasurer’s report showed receipts £234 8s Bd, expenditure £llB 0s 4d, credit balance in bank £l4l 10s 6d. Accounts amounting to £llB 13s 4d, were passed for payment. The secretary reported that two calls were received by the’ brigade during the term, neither being serious. . The Secretary of the Local Government Loans Board wrote that a reply had been received from the Public Works Department that plans and specifications for the Board’s new building were not satisfactory, and forwarded the Government architect’s comments upon the original plans. No further action would be taken by the Loans Board until suitable plans had been approved'by the Public Works Department.—lt was decided to ask Messrs Collins and West to prepare plans and specifications. A motion of condolence with the Superintendent, Mr. J. J. Mclntosh, in his illness, was passed.