HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1940, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

/ [From Our Own Correspondent! HOKITIKA, March 13. The m.v. Hokitika sailed last even’ ing for Woodpecker Bay to load coal tor Nelson, whence she is expected proceed to Wellington to load c-wgo for Hokitika. The Gael left Bruce Bay last night with timber for Wellington, and leaves Wellington for Hokitika direct on Saturday. Arrivals by the rail-car this morning included several soldiers home on leave.

■There was a narrow escape from a collision this morning between the M p r p nc ; a , n ‘ otor truck driven b- . ’ e!c a(; Hampden Street ciossmg. The truck was going on# ward and the rail-car was go.ng towards the north. The truck swtin> round alongside the line nt the nv>ment of impact, and' apparently damage was done to either machine except for a dent on the front of rail-car,, which was backed to alß.v the lorry to regain the road.

A claimant-to the distinction of having held the office of Mayor for longer period than any other man in New Zealand, Dr. N. G. Trotter. Mayor of Riverton, near InvercargUi. is visiting Christchurch, after attend ing the municipal conference in hngton. Dr. Trotter has been Mayo-, of Riverton for 25 years. This record is easily beaten by the Mayor of Hokit ka, Mr. George Perry, 0.8. Et who was installed as Mayor of Hofrftilxj. on May 3, 1911, having been elected unopposed, and who has mmalined in oilice ever since, on most occasions having been returned un opposed. In May, Mr. Perry will hrjv.. occupied the Mayoral chair for an uninterrupted period of 29 years. \ From South Westland and Kokatahi last evenbig twenty-four double deck trucks of lambs were forwarded by train to Canterbury. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., W. H. Shannon, Ltd., claimed £4/12/from M. McLean, judgment being for plaintiff. On a judgment summons, William Smith was ordered to pay L. S. Ross forthwith, the sum of £l/6/6 in default two days’ imprisonment, •warrant to be suspended.■••for 17 days. A charge was dismissed as against Rubina M. Poole, manager of the Clydesdale Hotel, Ross, of assisting in the commission of a punishable offence, that of permitting gambling on premises. Mr, A. R. Elco.ck appeared lor the defendant, and Sergeant' W. P Gilligan prosecuted. Constable R. G Busch, of Ross, said that on February 17, on entering the bar parlour he found seven men sitting around a table playing cards There was money on the table. The card game, fortyfives, immediately stopped. Most of the players put the money into their pockets. Six were local residents. Defendant was in the bar. Defendant

gave evidence that she approached the open slide only once during the evening, but did not see any money on the table at which the men were playing cards. She was in the bar doing her books. She did not see or hear anything to suggest or hear men were gambling. Mr. Elcock submitted there was no case to answer Gambling had not been proved. The only thing proved was that the men were playing cards and that money was on the table, but the money could have been “dubbed in’’ for a drink. The Magistrate, in dismissing the charge, said that he did not think’ he could convict on the evidence. Defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of liquor and was fined £4 with costs. Four persons found in the hotel were fined. The Magistrate dismissed charges against Edwin. Tanner Sherriff (Mr. Elcock), licensee, Em-

pire Hotel, at Hokitika, of exposing liquor, opening and selling after hours on February 17. The Magistrate, in view of the very definite statements made by two witnesses who had proved themselves boarders at the hotel, was unable to convict. A person found on the premises was lined. An “iron lung,’’ the first to come to the Coast, one of Lord Nufheld’s gifts, lor the Westiand Hospital Board, arrived here yesterday by the m.v. Hokitika from Wellington, it having arrived at Wellington by the liner “Akaroa.” It was transported entirely free of cost, though weighing a. couple of tons and occupying 70 feet of space. Tne following team has been chosen to represent Westiand in til? game with Greymouth, at Greymouth, on Saturday next for the Barlow Cup: G. Stapleton, T. Henderson, A. Dowell (Hokitika), J. Peake, M. Baird, E*. Johnstone (Ruatapu), L. Denia (Ross), M. Keenan, A. Howat (Woodstock), A. Thomas (Kanieri), C. Ogilvie (Rimu). Reserves: H. Pierson (Hokitika), R. Donaldson, E. Mitchel' (Ross).

A sum of £45 has been added to the swimming bath renovation fund from a children’s sports day on Cass Square, a street appeal, and a Sunday evening concert. Mr. K. W. Reece (secretary) stated the £3OO needed had not been so far raised, but the committee were receiving donations and expected to sec a start made w th the work at the end of the swimming season.

. Flood damage matters were before the County Council at the monthly meeting. Mr. M. Wallace, Kokatahi, forwarded a cheque for £35 towards cost of stone wall at Kokatahg and urged the necessity of taking protective steps immediately. Cr. Q’Neil urged the best attention of the Council to prevent the Hver coming into an old channel that would cause a giave disaster to the farms in the vicinity. Cr. Dale and Cr. Jamieson supported early action. The Chairman (Cr. J. A. Murdoch) moved that the Council proceed with the work as an urgent one. Seconded by Cr. O’Neil and carried. Mr. W. O Reilly, Uppep Kokatahi, forwarded a contribution to river protection works. Received with thanks. Mr. D. Mulholland, through solicitor, lodged an objection to proposed work blocking an existing river channel at Kokatahi, and holding the Council responsible for any damage. Mr. S. de F.lippi ottered to contribute half cost of improved drainage at Camelback Road. Received and agreed to, the writer to clear logs from creek and £7 to be granted for clearing drain.