HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1940, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, March 20. The cage crossing on the Arahura River where part of Malfroy’s bridge has been washed away, was the scene of an accident yesterday when William Henry Merewether a single man aged 34 years, residing at Stafford,’ and ' foreman of the Arahura gold dredge sustained a broken leg. He is a patient at the hospital. Mr T. Mcßride, from Wataroa to Hokitika, was a passenger by air from South Westland yesterday and passengers to-day by Air Travel plane included: Greymouth to Wellington: Miss L. Smith; Westport to Wellington: Messrs Johnston, J. Lucas, and Newman; Wellington to Hokitika: Mr G. H. Chapman, Mr M. Dawe; Westport to Greymouth: Mr Henderson. The following is the list of balaclavas sent in locally: Women’s Institute 16; Mrs Ingram, 9; Nursing Home, Mrs T. Wells, Miss Norah Wells, 4 each; Mrs T. Brown Mrs A. Owens, Mrs T. S'tuart, Mrs It. J. Appleton, anonymous, Nurse Maclem, Miss Bawden, two each; Mesdames Cleland, Braddon, Ritchie, G ferry, R. Wells, L. Hagar, Chester man, Hart and Hoffmann, one each. Pairs of sox have been sent in by Mesdames H. Park, J. Coulson, and Carter. Miss Bowden has supplied two skull caps for use under helmets and a pair oi sox. The Koiterangi Patriotic Committee will held a sale of goods in Weld Street to-morrow.

Members of the second Echelon were last evening entertained by the R.S.A. rhe Soldiers’ Hall being crowded. Speakers were Messrs R. G. Millen (President), A. R. Elcock, J. A. Murdoch, R. J; Appleton, D. J. Evans, Birss (Kumara), F. Foster, R. Paterson, J. Bain, Dr. Childs, Rev. D. D. Thorpe and Lieut. Ferguson and Sergt. Chandler. During the evening there was some community singing led by Mr Copp, while songs were rendered by Messrs Grenfell, Perry, Beddington, Daly, Spiers, Dr. Childs and others, and Mr Murdoch gave a recitation. Messrs Copp and Foster supplied the accompaniments. As a result of tests of High School swimmers, the championships were decided as follows: Boys: Senior D. Johnston; junior, R. Barltrop. Girls: Senior, Olga Wells; junior, June Nancekivell.

At the Hospital Board’s meeting there were present: Messrs E. W. Heenan A. Dale, G. Heinz, T. W. Duff, A. R. Elcock, W. A. Jamieson, J. A. Murdoch and J'. Fox. Dr. B. L. Wilson (Supt.) reported 76 patients on January 31, 63 admitted last month, and 49 remaining on February 29. A letter from the Boards’ Association suggesting a scale of minimum salaries for nurses was referred to the town members. Sister E. Mence advised she is vacating the cottage hospital at Waiho. The Acting Matron (Miss I. A. McCallum reported that the highest number of patients on any one day was 77, the lowest 47, and the average for the month, 66. The number of operations vzas 44, X-rays 55, massage and physio theaphy treatments 150. Sister J. A. McCallum (acting matron) wrote tendering her recignation to take effect one month from March 1. The opinion was expressed that the Board was a real loser by her departure and it was left to the secretary to write a letter of appreciation to Miss McCallum. Sister Steadman resigned on February 29. Misses E. McVicar, Kenning, and M. Martin resigned on February 29. Miss M. Knapp resigned on February 14. Miss E. Moriarty returned from leave. Misses H. Hilliary and R. Dent commenced as wardsmaids. On the recommendation of the Matron, it was decided that Staff Nurses Inder, Grenop and V. Clausen, be appointed junior sisters as from April 1. Trea-

surer reported that receipts during the month of February totalled £1123 4s (including £543 6s in-patients’ fee) Expenditure amounted to £2179 6s 6d. There was a debit balance at the bank of' £1571 6s 9d. Mr Heinz reported that the foundations were now in and a garage for the ambulance, could now be started. The roofs of the hospital wards were ready for painting which should be undertaken immediately. Spouting around the Old People’s Home buildings required repairing. The Board room roof had been strengthened by bracing, and the roof repaired, and was now ready for tarring. The walls were also ready for painting. It was decided to authorise Mr Heinz to have the painting of the ward roofs roofs undertaken without delay, and that a price be obtained for the concreting of a pathway between the nurses’ home and the hospital. It was decided that Board members be- photo graphed on the occasion of the centenary year. The farm manager reported that the following produce was sold to the hospital for the month: Milk 725 gallons. Cream, 225 points. Pig sold, 8. Eggs, 144 dozen. Vegetables 17621b5. Cockerels, 26. The total value of produce sold to the institution was £129 14s sd.

The Hospital Board had before it last night Kumara representations in favour of providing a doctor for that district. The Kumara Medical Association forwarded a protest against the sale of the doctor’s residence at Kumara, also the Mayor of Kumara. This was referred to the chairman. The Association also wrote regarding the appointment of a doctor at Kumara. Members stated that the board felt something must be done to meet the position, and the genuine grievance of the Kumara ratepayers. As far as the board was concerned, said the chairman, it was prepared to find its proportion of the salary. It was suggested that where country patients came to town to interview a doctor they be given priority over town people. The chairman reported thaUhe knew of three patients from Kumara who had visited the town to interview a doctor, but none had been available, and they were obliged to return without having gained an interview. It was finally decided to reply that the request for a doctor had received the sympathetic consideration of every board member and that the Association be requested to inform the board if the Social Security Department signifies its consent towards the provision of a doctor, when the board would contribute its proportion. It was decided to approach the town doctors and endeavour to arrange convenient times for interviewing country patients, or for preference to be given country patients when they journey to town to consult a doctor. At t. monthly meeting of the Borough Council," there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry) Crs. G. Heinz, C. Caliari, D. P. S'tuart; J. Fox, J’. L. Turner. Apologies were made for the absence of Crs. Elcock, Freitas, Stop forth and Parry. The Beautifying Society was granted use of Council’s grass-cutter and roller, and Mrs. M Trotter, Sewell Street North, asked that growth be cleared off Sewell Street on the north side of Tudor Street, and that the footpath be metalled. —Referred to Works’ Commit Ice. Mr. H. Kortegast, wrote complaining of flooding of his property in Rolleston Street, and asking that footpath be raised from Mrs. MeBeatr.’s to Mr. J. B. Ward’s. —Referred to Works’ Committee with power to act. Mr. Hugh Preston. Brittan Street, asked that the open drain along his frontage be cleared of growth.—Request granted. The Harbour Board advised that the road leading to the tip is in a bad state of repair and asking that it be attended to. —It was decided to call a meeting of the Physical Fitness Committee. Mr. J. Wallace and others asked

that the roadway in Hall Street, north of Park Street, be formed, as at present there is only a footpath and the carts are close up to the fences when using the footpath, which is dangerous for children. —Referred to Works’ Committee. The Medical Officer of Health, asking that Council give urgent: consideration to the provision of conveniences in Cass Square.—Referred to Reserves’ Committee. The Public Works Department advised that in respect of exemption of both sides of Revell Street from the provisions of Section 128 of the Public Works Act, 1928, that it will be necessary for the Council to supply duplicate tracings on linen showing the portions of the Street required to be exempted.—Received; left to Town Clerk to attend to. The R.S.A. asked that the two German guns in front of the Government Buildings. Hokitika, be painted, as it is understood that the guns were presented to the town at the conclusion of the Great War. Also that permission be given to hold a concert in the Regent Theatre on Anzac night, 25th. proximo, with the right to make a charge for admission. —Requests granted. Among those signing the visitors’ book at the Westland section of the New Zealand Exhibition, on February Sth. last, is Thomas Hindle, of Wellington, describing himself as “the first white child born in Hokitika.’’ This is an interesting 1 record as hitherto it was thought a i girl was the first-born, and Miss I Mary McCarthy had that distinction I locally. • | At the monthly meeting of the School Committee there were present Messrs A. C. Armstrong (Chair), W. E. Richards, R. J. Pedder, A. Leslie H. W. Sweney, Rev. M. H. Feist,’mid Mr. L. Graham (secretary). Telegrams were received from Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Labour, and Hon. R. Semple, regarding the school ground improvement scheme and subsidised labour for same. It was reported that the work at the infant school had been completed and also that at the main school, the back paddock had just been topdressed and sown, and it was decided to write thanking both Ministers for the action taken by them. The Health Department wrote informing the committee that the nondelivery of milk after the annual holiday period had been due to a shortage of bottles, but that orders for new supplies of bottles had been placed and that the resumption of the scheme could be expected at an early date. The Education Board wrote enquiring if there had been any change of secretaryship, and it was decided to inform the body that Mr. L. Graham had been appointed to the position in view of the former secretary, Mr. E. R. Ferguson, having enlisted, and that he would continue in that capacity until the next annual meeting.

It was decided that a letter be sent Mr. Ferguson, now on leave, thanking him for his services. The Board wrote that it had accepted the resignation of Mr. P. A. Muirhead.

The Rector reported as follows: Primary, 157 boys, 130‘ girls; total 287. Secondary, 60 boys, 65 girls; total 125. The attendance during the last few weeks has been much better.

Accounts amounting to £29 14s 9d, were passed for payment. Treasurer reported that expenditure during the month totalled £54 13s lid, and that there was a credit bank balance of .£23 Os 4d.