HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, January 15. The Westland County Council at vosterday’s meeting received from the Public Works Department a letter asking that the Council take over the upkeep of the protection works in the A.rahura river. Cr. B. Ward suggested that the Department be asked to find part of the cost. He thought the Council should not be asked to shoulder the whole burden. Cr. Murdoch took the same view, of Cr. Ward. The part of Malfroy’s bridge that was washed away was that erected by the Public Works Department. He urged that the Council refuse to take over liability for river protection, and his motion to that effect, seconded by Cr. T. O’Neil, was carried. The Mayor of Hokitika, Mr. G. A. Perry, and Mr. Jas. O’Brien, M.P., have expressed their intention of beino- present at the Welcome Club, Christchurch, next Saturday evening when the troops will be entertained by the Westland Patriotic Council. The sudden death took place at Auckland recently of Mrs. Pilkington, a former resident of Hokitika. Dr. B. L. Wilson will be absent from Hokitika for two weeks. Dr. Belt will carry on his practice here. Dr. Aitken returned this morning to Hokitika. Miss Rhodes, who has been supervisor of the Nurses’ Home at Westland Hospital since its erection, leaves to-morrow morning for Wellington where she will take up similar duty at Porirua Hospital. The m.v. Gael’s trip to Okuru, has been cancelled, as that port is not at present workable. The Gael proceeds to J'ackson Bay. The larger rail car being now under repair, a' steam train is doing its run, it being necessary to attach two carriages to cope with passenger reservations.

The Westland County Council met yesterday. Present: Crs. J. Donovan (Chairman?, G. Rowley, P. J. McLean, B. Ward, T. P. O’Neil, W. Searle, A. Dale, W. A. Jamieson and J. A. Murdoch’. Mr T. Brown, on behalf of .Southern Timbers, Ltd., waited on the Council to protest against the proposed reclassification of Milltown Road. Members expressed the opinion that the road was originally meant for access to farm lands and ■not for heavy timber traffic. They agreed with Mr Brown that foundations with ordinary formation would make the road first class. Apparently the contract had not been carried out to specification. The contract was uncompleted. The road was of national importance and should be put in good condition as soon as possible. Cr. McLean moved that report and estimate for completing the whole road from Arahura through Milltown to Lake Kanieri be made. The motion was carried. Accounts amounting to £249 19s Id were passed for payment. A grant of £l2 10s was approved for South Island Travel. It was decided that applicants under the rural housing scheme be referred to the State Advances Corporation. Eleven applications were received for the position of County Roadman, Mr F. J. Jones of Kanieri being appointed. Mr F. Mitchell resigned as a roadman. The County Clerk, Mr D. J. Evans, was appointed a representative on the High School Board. It was decided to call tenders for printing the electoral roll. It was resolved that pursuant to the provisions of the Heavy Motor-Vehicle Regulations, apf|ioation be made to the Minister of Transport for his approval of classification of roads, as notified through the press, by public advertisement, and deposited at the Post Offices, Stafford, Kanieri and Harihari, a statement showing the

roads to he classified. J. C. Malfroy and Coy.. Houston Timbers Ltd., and Southern Timbers, Ltd., wrote, respecting the road classification and the effect on the timber industry. The District Engineer wrote, approving work to the value of £6O in strengthening the Kokatahi bridge, southern end; also regarding marking of double centre lines on highways :dte’ % consultation with the Automobile Association for their prior criticism of any proposal; also notifying grant of £305 (£3 for £1), for repairs to highway bridges, Lake Kanieri Main Highway.