HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 12 September 1940, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] The death occurred to-day at her residence, Jollie Street, of one of the earliest pioneers of the district, Mrs Margaret Souter. A native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, the deceased was in her ninetieth year, and had resided in this district for over sixty years. She was predeceased many years ago by her husband, the late Thomas Souter, a well-known member of the staff of the Westland Hospital. She leaves one daughter, Mrs J. Freitas (Three Mile), and three sons, Thomas (Wanganui), Robert and Peter (Hokitika). Mrs Quinn, of Upper Hutt, and formerly of Arahura, is a sister of deceased. I he funeral takes place on Friday afternoon. HOKITIKA September 11. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., sentence! Thomas Meen to two months’ imprisonment for theft of £7 from Patrick Harrison. Sergeant Gilligan stated accused was a boarder at the Post Office Hotel, occupying the same room as Harrison; was somewhat under the influence of liquor on Monday when he went up to the room and took the money from trousers hanging in a wardrobe used by both. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the following cases:—G. Elly v. H. George, £3 Is Od and costs] £1 15s 6d; F. J. Bade v. J. Webb, £4 18s lid and costs £1 10s 6d; M. H. Houston (M. B. James) v. F. W. Maybury, £7 11s 6d and costs £1 12s 6d; J. Shannon v. G. Roberts, £6 17s 7d and costs £1 10s 6d. On a judgment summons, C. Mason was ordered to pay G. Elly £l5 19s Od, and solicitor’s fee £1 Is Od. in default 16 days’ imprisonment, issue of warrant to be suspended for 14 days. At the Princess Theatre last evening, there was a crowded attendance to°’witness a three act fairy operetta, “Cinderella,” produced by Mrs. R. F. Aitken, in aid of the Hokitika Patriotic fund. The principals were: Cinderella (Mrs. J. Howat); Prince (Miss C. Staines); Patience (Mrs. L. Graham); Charity (Mrs. S. Bassett'; Papa (Mrs. R. Aitken); Lady Guy (Miss Rhodes); Fairy Godmother (Mrs. A. Perry); Courtier (Mrs. Stevenson); Lady (Mrs Turner); Spirit of Midnight Hour (Betty Howat). In all 80 performers took part. Mr. W. F. Ashley (County Engineer), was yesterday farewelled by the County Council prior to his departure for camp. The County Council yesterday received a' deputation regarding the proposed extension of Lake Arthur Road. Kokatahi, comprising Messrs L. Stopforth, M. Wallace, S. Havill, C. Marshal and Dimmick. Mr. Stopforth stated he was prepared to find £4OO for an extension of 125 chains and to provide a bull dozer for five days’ work. It was decided to a'c- ; cept the offer, Mr. Stopforth to pay £4OO (£2OO to be remitted out of fees) and to pay half the cost of the survey fees. Fines of 10s and 20s each were imposed on T. R. F. Hughes and R. C. Blackmore, on charges of drunkenness and on being found without lawful excuse in the enclosed yard of Seaview Mental Hospital on Thursday night last. Hughes was also lined 40s for assaulting an attendant, Arthur John Cooper. The Magistrate said that he had no doubt that the matter had arisen out of drink, and that it was plain that the two men had gone up to the hospital to get in touch with two nurses. Mr. Hughes, head attendant, said that at 9 p.m. Nurse Ward told him these men were in the yard in a drunken state. He asked the men to leave, but they refused, so he summoned two attendants, who ca'me, and he ordered the men to go away. They had wandered through the villa and

into the nurses’ rooms. Hughes said he did not remember wandering into bedrooms. Mr. M. B. James (counsel for Blackmore), asked if it was difficult for a stranger to find his way about the grounds at night. Witness said it was. Ernest William Charteris an attendant, said the men refused to leave when he asked them to go. Nurse Wood informed Nurse Markham there were three men outside who wanted to see her, but sne did not go. Blackmore refused to leave until he (Charteris) had obtained a taxi. The police were phoned for. Hughes struck Cooper and knocked him down. Hughes then drew a bottle out of his pocket and hit Cooper on the shoulder with it. An attendant, R. Roberts, then took the bottle and threw it away. Cooper received an injury to his hand. He was now in bed owing to his injuries. Bad language was used. R. Roberts, attendant, said he took charge of Blackmore, who did not strike anybody. Witness took the men to the top of the hill and waited until the police arrived. Cooper struck Hughes after he had been abused by Hughes. Cooper injured his hand when he hit Hughes. Constable Wallace said he took the men in charge at 10.20 p.m. Hughes stated he went to the hospital to see a nurse, and the nurse in charge gave him his direction to the place he was looking for. On his way across he met the charge nurse, and she said that she thought the nurse was at the Westland Hospital. He could not find the nurse. Hughes also said, when asked, that they did not chase the girls, but he had heard the girls running and laughing. He said the reason why they did not go was because one of the party was sick and they wanted a taxi to take him back. Mr. James said Blackmore had been working on the P.W.D; at Paringa, and was on his way to camp. He had been informed about the illness in camp. Blackmore was very drunk, but he had no intention of committing an offence, but was having a night out before leaving for camp. Blackmore had no part in the fight. He was prepared to apologi.se for his action to anyone concerned. The men had never been' before the Court before. Blackmore was ready for camp. Sergeant Gilligan said that Hughes was a first offender also. Westland County Council decided yesterday, as a mark of appreciation of New Zealand airmen, in the defence of Britain, to contribute £250 to the N.Z. Aeroplane Fund, for the use of the Dominion squadron on service.

At. the County Council meeting yesterday there were present: Crs. J. Donovan (chairman), B. Ward, G. Rowley, J. A. Murdoch, P. J. McLean, W. Searle, T. P. O’Neil, A. Dale, and W. Jamieson. Accounts amounting to £2597 2s lOd were passed for payment. The following recommendations by the Finance Committee were adopted: That Mr H. P. Le Comte be informed there was no objection to the proposed use of road reserve at Mahitahi at an annual rental of 10s; that repairs to the Burt Track be carried out; that the caravan be converted to a tip truck and the small Ford truck be offered for sale at £4O; that the engineer prepare proposals for protection work at Ritchies; that the clerk communicate with Stuart and Chapman re provision of waste timber for protection at Kakapotahi; that the county car be placed under the clerk’s control. It was decided to spend £l9 in clearing tracks between Waitangi and Wataroa. It was decided on Cr. McLean’s motion to obtain a return of the 'men employed in the ridings, with particulars as to permanent, casual, No. 'l4 and other categories; also the revenue from each riding from gold mining, timber roadage and royalty, farming, etc., for the six months ending September 30. The engineer was directed to report on requests of A, Crop-

per (Kaihinu) for access on road reserve, L. Finch (Kaihinu) for access to new dwelling; Bates and Eager, for use of bulldozer on river erosion at Koiterangi; and Arahura Pah for metalling of 20 chains of road. Arahura Gold Dredging, Ltd., asked permission to dredge three unformed road reserves adjoining Spencer Road in the line of the dredge’s operations, stating material from tailing heaps would be available for the Council works.—Referred to Clerk and Cr. Murdoch. Harihari Farmers’ Union wiote objecting to the closing of any road reserve in the district, with special reference to the road giving access to the Wanganui River bed. Mr W. D. Nolan asked attention to Okuru road; over a distance of two miles, for a few days, not exceeding six.—Granted. Mr T. Nolan reported the culvert on Whale Road stood the flood successfully. The first fifteen and the “A” basketball (earn from the Hokitika D.H.S. are travelling on to-morrow’s express to Rangiora, where the annual games with the Rangiora High School will be played. Mr Harper and Miss Duff are accompanying the teams, which will return on Saturday. ,