HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 11 April 1940, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

lOur Own Correspondent], ' HOKITIKA, April 10. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., two young mon, James Brown Williams and William Ivor Stoop, were charged with the theft qf fish valued at £3' 12s 6d, the property of Julia Mary Tulloch (restaurant proprietor); the theft of a case of apples valued at 7s, the property of James Stewart, and the breaking of a pane of glass valued at 12s 6d, the properly of Truman’s, Ltd. Stoop was also charged, with willfully damaging a door lock, valued at 4s 6d, also the property of Julia Mary Tulloch. Mr Elcock appeared for Stoop and Mr James for Williams. A third young man was mentioned in three of the charges, which were adjourned as against him. Accused pleaded guilty. Sergeant W. P. Gilligan said that on April 19 of last year the accused entered a hotel and consumed a good deal of liquor. In the early “hours of the morning they walked along Revel! Street to the fish shop then owned by Mrs Tulloch. They went to the front door, which was closed. They then decided to go to the back and Stoop broke a lock on a door. They took away a case of fish and about three parts of a sack of oysters. At the same time a lorry owned by Stewart was standing at the back of an hotel in Revell Street and as

I the men passed it they took a case of app’es from it. Prior to the theft of the fish, the men in Weld Street, had entered the rear of Truman’s Ltd., where they broke a window. The noise disturbed a next-door neighbour and the men made off. Williams had not been in trouble before but Stoop had been admitted to probation on a charge of theft in 1936. Mr James, for Williams, said the episode was not one criminally planned, being nothing more han a stupid action, probably due to the liquor consumed. Defendant was working at Waiho and was highly spoken of by his employers, who were prepared to let him continue in their employ. Counsel was satisfied that the offence was not criminally palnned by defendant and asked the court to deal as leniently as possible with him. He was just 21, and had learned his lessen, and would have to make restitution. He applied for suppression of the defendant’s name. Mr Elcock, for Stoop, said the offence was not premeditated, and was really- a foolish action due to over-indulgence in liquor. Since the offence Stoop, who was 22 at the time, although he had been in trouble before, had been working on public works, and had led a quiet, orderly life. Counsel asked that as the offence had occurred nearly 12 months ago, defendant’s name be suppressed. The Sergeant stated that both boys came from respectable families and he was unable to say how they had got into committing the offence. His Worship said that as the offence had taken place almost 12 months ago, and as his conduct since had been good, Stoop would be fined and ordered to make restitution. On the charge of stealing lish he would be fined £3, and on the other three charges, ordered to make restitution of his share of the damage. Williams would be placed on probation for 12 months and would be required to make restitution of his share of the damage and to take out a prohibition order during that time. His Worship said he could not see his way clear to suppress the names.

Mr A. W. Barrett (Wellington), Mr F. W. Bostock, Mr A. S. Clark, MiLane and Mr McCutcheon (Christchurch), are at present staying at Hotel Westland. Mr J. A. Murdoch, County Chairman, has invited the Hon. W. Perry

M.L.C., Dominion President of the New Zealand R.S.A. to visit Hokitika as his guest on the occasion of the visit next Wednesday to Hokitika of 180 men of the Second Echelon, to join in the welcome, for which a meeting was held this evening to ar range for the entertainment of the troops.

A line of £2 with 10s costs was imposed at the Magistrate’s Court on ine licensee of the Empire Hotel, Ross (Mr M. B. James), who pleaded guilty to a charge of selling after hours. Clifford William Morrison, of Sewell Street, Hokitika, was charged with the theft of 3 pair socks at 2s 6d each; one shirt valued at 16s 6d; of a total value of 245, the property of Kenneth Henderson, on March 30 1940. After hearing evidence accused was convicted and granted probation for 12 months, restitution to be made. A fine of 10s with costs was imposed on J. Murphy, Ruatapu, for allowing stock to wander. John Hugh Henderson on a charge of disobedience of a maintenance order, was convicted and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment, warrant to be suspended so Jong as defendant pays his current maintenance and 5s per week off the arrears. Judgment for the plaintiff by default was given in the following debt cases:—D. Learmont v. J. Rhoues £1 18s and costs 10s; C. J. Hende v. J. Matson £5 15s, ■costs 15s, 15s 6d solicitor’s fee; R. C. Renton v. W. C. Carroll £ll 14s, court costs £1 ss, solicitor’s fee £1 11s; G. Bryant v. J. C. Phelan £1 ss, court costs Bs. On a judgment summons, P. Phelan was ordered to pay Robt. Francis Ltd., the sum of £4 12s, in de-

fault four days’ imprisonment, warrant to be suspended for 14 days. Mr T. Smith, who is being transferred as Public Works Engineer to Whangarei, was farewelled yesterday by County Councillors and others, Mr G. A. Perry, Mayor, presiding. Mr Evans, his successor, was welcomed. Speeches eulogising Mr Smith, were made by Messrs J. A. Murdoch (County Chairman), J. O’Brien, M.P., B. Ward, W. A. Jamieson, P. J. McLean, A. Dale and D. J. Evans. Messrs Smith and-Evans suitably replied.

The Westland County Council meeting yesterday was attended by Crs. J. A. Murdoch (chairman), Crs. W. A. Jamieson, A. Dale, P. J. McLean, J. Donovan, B. Ward, G. Rowley, W. Searle and T. P. O’Neill, Mr J. O'Brien, M.P., was also present On the motion of the chairman, the following resolution was passed: I ' That the Council confirm the action of the chairman in conveying to the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister the sympathy of the Council ■ and inhabitants of Westland in the death of the Rt. Hon. M J. Savage, and record in the minutes the Council’s high appreciation of the notable services of the late Prime Minister during his busyterm of office, and his remarkable devotion to duty to the very end of i his honourable career in the service of the people.” On the motion of Cr. I Jamieson, the following motion was carried: “That the Council respectfully tender to Hon. P, Fraser its congratulations on his election as Prime Minister, and offer him, best wishes in his most important office.” Mr Dalzell, of Kokatahi, waited on the Council regarding river erosion in his district. The chairman assured him that the matter was considered very urgent, and work would be pushed ahead as soon as possible. Messrs L. Stopforth and F. Thompson sawmillers, waited on the Council ’ regarding the extension of the Styx road to the Toaroha. The Council decided to make application for a subsidy on work. The Finance Committee’s recommendations, as follows were adopted: That the date for the election of chairman be deferred to June 11 (date of ordinary meeting). That the Council attend the unveiling ceremony of the Okarito

| Memorial, and that the chairman and j southern members, with the Engineer, visit and inspect the Poerua protection works.'' The Council authorised the Clerk to place outstanding rates in the hands of the County Solicitor for collection. The chairman’s motion was carried for the raising of a loan of £550 to erect protection works on portion of the Little Wanganui ; Poerua) River, in Westland. The chairman also moved that the Council borrow by way of overdraft from the Bank of New Zealand, a sum not exceeding £4,500, as may be required during the current financial year; such overdraft to be secured on revenues outstanding and uncollected. —Carried. Accounts totalling ?2958 were passed for payment. Cr. Donovan moved that Roadman Williams be placed in charge ef and appointed driver of the lorry operat-

ing in the Wataroa and Okarito district roads.—Carried. Cr. Donovan moved lhat the County Engineer be asked to furnish a plan and report on the belt means of protecting lands and roads on eroding river banks, and th-.- control of all such rivers in Westland, such scheme to be presented at the next meeting of the Council, and if approved to be forwarded to Mr J’. O’Brien M.P., for transmission to the Government for care-1 lul consideration.—Carried. The Government Loans Board acknowledge I cd application for Poerua river protection loan, £550, which will be sub- I mitted to the Board. The Mines Department approved remission of rent. 1 £l2 10s for a quartz claim at Taipo.

The District Engineer advised no decision was yet reached regarding further protection at Arahura, including Mr Havill’s .case. The Public Works Department advised exemption of Kanien Road .aider Public Works Act. The Field Inspector, Land Office reported an alleged blocking of road reserve along .bank of Manakaiana River Pruce Bay. The Council decided to adhere to its previous decision. The Health Officer, Christchurch, enquired if inconvenience would be caused if Okarito cemetery were closed. —Enquiries are to be made as to which cemetery it refers, Greymouth Recruiting Committee, wrote suggesting public meetings to stimulate recruiting.—Deferred till visit of Second E'-helon. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., advised he" had consulted Hon. R. Semple regarding the use of a bulldozer for Westland, and he expects to make one available. Mr W. G. Beltor, chairman of Insurance Com-

mittee, New Zealand Counties’ Association advised of his intention of visiting Hokitika next Saturday, to discuss the proposal with councillors.—Approved, those possible to attend. The Traffic Inspector, advised re was taking proceedings for wani dering stock at Wataroa, Harihari and Ruatapu. Butler Bros., Ltd., wrote ■ ffering no objection to track along abandoned tramway on the south side of the Hokitika River, opposite Koiterangi. Mr E. Jones, Koiterangi. submitted an offer for work i with bulldozer at -Kokatahi River.— Engineer's arrangements approved. Mr J. H. Jamieson, Wataroa, wrote applying' for position of lorry driver. I | —Deferred. Mr Lionel Graham Hold-I tika submitted offer to tar seal front I of County Chambers and side walks j lor 130. -Offer accepted. Smith Bros, j Koiterangi, asked - for 55 chains of j road access, portion of unmade part of McArthur road from Camelback j road junction.—Engineer to report. Gibb Eros., Waiho Gorge, drew attention to river erosion to Docherty’s road, and certain sections in the vicinity, attention being urgent.—Referred to Engineer Clerk and Chairman. The Lands Office, invited approval of road deviation plans and exchange of areas, south of the new Karangarua bridge.—Approved. Mr G. E. Graham, asking for subsidy for drain cleaning.—l 3 granted. Mr H. Hende, Harihari, wrote regarding riv-, er erosion.—Decided to draw atten-I tion of P.W.D. to matter.