HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 February 1940, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

tOur Own Correspondent], HOKITIKA. February 20. His Excellency Archbishop Panico, Apostolic Delegate to Australasia and Papal Legale at the recent New Zealand Eucharistic Congress, yesterdayproceeded from Hokitika to the glacial region lor a stay unt'l Friday, when he proceeds to Greymouth. The construct on of the large dredge which is to operate in the Mikonui River, south of Ross, is now commencing, but the job is expected to take nearly two years. Machinery is arriving on the site on the south bank of the river, for making a dam into which to launch the pontoon. The whole of the plant has been ordered in Australia, and when, parts come to hand the number of men employed in assembling them and otherwise will increase to about thirty. Ram last evening was followed by a thunderstorm towards midnight, along with a nor-westerly gale, but the weather to-day was fine, Riinu Flat dredge last week obtained 163 oz. 9 dwts. from 49,804 yards in 127 hours. There is expected to be good racing on Saturday at the meeting of the Westland R.C., the acceptances being very satisfactory. For the sports gathering to be held on Cass Square on Saturday week L2UO wid be offered in prize money. The nominations close to-rhorrbw/for the chopping and cycling events. The Fire Brigade is sending the follow ng team to the Centennial demonstration next month at Wellington: Deputy-Superintendent L Ross, Firemen E. Lakin, H. Thompson, J. Butlarid and J. Roberts (emergency), also Foreman J. Williams and F. McGregor (officials). The local Centennial celebrations commence on Friday with shop displays, while there will be races next day and. on Monday. There will be special church services on Sunday and on that afternoon there will be a display on the. beach by 'surf clubs, while in the evening there will be a national concert. There will be twi sports meetings fiext week.' In the local cricket competition, Hokitika beat Woodstock by 7 xyck-; ets. Woodstock made 63 and 73, and] Hokitika 119 and 34 for three. ’F'orj the winners the best scorers were Dowell 33. Parker 2b, G. Stapleton 24, and for Woodstock Griffiths 22, Howat 16. arid Towers 12 Hotel Westland guest list includes: Mr. and Mrs. W. James (Wanganui), Mr. K. J. Butters (Wellington), Mr. D. Shale (Nelson;. Miss G. Robinson (Greymouth), Mr. Newson. Mr. W. E. Cockroft (Christchurch).

The Hokitika Borough Council decided to take no action regarding the request of the N.Z. Defence Council for an opinion on conscription. Cr. Turner thought the Government of a democratic country should dec de a matter of this sort. Cr. Fox called the Defence Council “a crowd of Nosey Parkers” and “interfering busybodies,” who had the impertinence to tell a democratic Government what they should do. Cr. Elcock thought the Defence Council was. not showing pol'tical bias, but doing something which would give the Government a lead. Cr. Freitas said the Gpvernmerit would bring in conscription if they thought it, necessary. Cr. Stopforth thought the mat'er was too big for a local body to d’scuss and decide. The matter, in his opinion, was a national one. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry) the request, and moved that the letter be received arid referred to the Government for its consideration. Cr. Turner moved that the letter be received. Cr. Fox' seconded,' and the amendment was carried.

At the local abattoir last month there were $6 cows slaughtered, 9 heifers, 64 bulocks, 308 sheep, 106 lambs,' 3 pigs, 3 calves. Condemned,

1 bullock. Fess collected for the month amounted to £79/12/-, compared with £74/8/- for the corresponding month last year. N.Z. Refrigerating Co., during the month, delivered here 46 sheep and 17 lambs. The Budding Inspector reported to the Borough Council last evening on certain public buildings. Licenses were granted to the Regent 'Theatre, Princess Theatre, and R.S.A. Hall, subject to improvements. He also reported on the Town Hall, and estimated a cost of £450 for repairs and £2OO for pa nting.—On the suggestion of the Mayor, it was decided to deßn' Lhe matter until next meeting, when consideration could be given to the question of building a new Town Hall. The Council granted £25 towards the swimming baths repair fund

At the Borough Council monthly [ meeting there were present: Tne | Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), Crs. W. H. I Stopforth, C. Caliari, A. R. Elcoek, J. Fox, J. L. Turner and F. D. E. Freitas. Apologies for absence were received from Crs. D. P. Stuart, G. Heinz and H. T. Parry! Receipts were shown at £l4BB/8/8, with expenditure £536/3/9. Accounts amounting to £1553/3/1 were passed for payment. The Director of Housing Construction advised that a progress payment of £356 would be forwarded at an early date. The following applications were granted: Arthur Appleton, to surrender lease ,of Lot 2 of M.R. 446, 30.6 perches, and to be granted a new lease', for the uncxpired balance of the term, under Section 12 (1) (d) of the Public Bodies Leases Act, 1908; to Mrs. Ed.th Mary Jane Rodden, of Hampden Street; Hugh Steel, lease Municipal Reserve No/ 491, north of Bealey Street, at an annual rental of £l/15/-; K. F. O’Brien, lease Municipal Reserve No. 527, Britten Street, at an annual rental of £2 a year; W. F. Ashley, that Municipal Reserve No. 494 be leased by public tender; Hokitika Gas Co., that the coupLng at their water connection be restored one inch; J. A. Ciittance, consent to subdivision of Sections 89 and 128, Revell Street; Westland Dairy Co., Ltd., asked the Council to tar seal portion of the road in front of the Deferred to next’ financial year. The Pubic Works Department asked permission to construct a stormwater drain along the Park Street frontage of the Infant. School. —Public Works Committee to inspect and report. It was z decided to apply for a general order exempting Revell Street from ihe provisions of the Act governing sub-divisions of sections in a street under one chain in width; W. C. Fisch, Christchurch, offered £BO f.o.r. Hokitika, for second-hand Mather Platt pump, motor, starter and slide rails.—Accepted. The Inspector, Housing Department asked - when footpaths on the Botanic Garden Housing scheme would be completed, suggesting lowering of gas and water pipes in part of this locality.—Referred to Overseer to report; Air Travel, N.Z., Ltd., advised that every precaution yvill be taken to avoid planes liyffig low over the town, but in certain weather conditions it was necessary to approach the aerodrome from the town side at a low altitude.

At the monthly meeting of the School Committee there were present Messrs A. C. Armstrong (chairman), H. W. R. Swensy, B. King, W. E. Richards, A. Leslie, R. J. Redder, Rev. M. Feist, also Mr. L. Graham (horn secretary). It was resolved that in the event of no reply being received from Mr. Williamson, Mr. D. Stevenson be asked to provide plans and estimates' for new school haths. The Treasurer reported thb Board had refunded £lB6/10/- sent to the Board when the school baths were abandoned in favour of baths for infants. Mr. Mtfirhead wrote, resigning his position aS teacher, having been appointed to' a position in Fiji; The Education Board wrote that the fire risk on the dental clinic furni-l tore was not that of the Board but I of the Committee. The Rector (Mr.)

J. G. Johnston) reported: The roll number is: Primary 160 boys, 132 girls; total 292. Secondary, 65 boys, 65 girls; total, 130. He recorded the appointment of Miss L. M. Park and Mr. J. J. Henderson as probationary assistants, Miss E. Keating as a super-1 numerary teacher, and Mr. W. B. ’ French, M.A., as relieving teacher hi the Secondary Department unt'l Mr. Muirheud’s succecssor is appointed. Very few dental clinic fees had been paid this j’baf, and he would be pleased if parents would pay the fees due as soon as possible, so that the dental nurse can work to schedule. It was resolved that application' be made to the Minister of Public Works tor asphalting the front of the school and also re-conditioning the asphalt at the north aspect of the school grounds. It was resolved that a letter of thanks be sent Mr, Thomas Coyle for cutting the front lawn. A party from the school will visit the Exhibition from April 2 to April 6. „