HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] , HOKITIKA, February □• At the meeting this week of the Hokitika Businessmen’s Association, there was a discussion on the matter of the depletion of the timber supply on the West Coast. The need for cut-out forests being replanted was stressed by the speakers. The Association resolved that it should make an appeal to all local bodies and to other organisations in the Westland district, urging that they should give their support for an appeal to the Government in favour of replanting forest areas.

The m.v. Gael is acting temporarily as naval examination vessel at Wellington. A new method of working alluvial gold deposits in this district is about to be introduced, it being one which has elsewhere been successfully operated. It is designed for small claims of shallow depth and the apparatus is not costly. Rev. Dr. F. H. Walsh and Rev. Father O’Gorman (formerly of Hokitika), who have been here on .1 visit, left by air yesterday and landed on the Landsborough area, near Haast Pass, where they will engage in mountain climbing.

Mrs B. L. Wilson presided on Monday at the monthly meeting of the Hokitika S'ub-Branch of the Plunket Society, and was appointed the committee's representative at a meeting to discuss the raising of funds for •patriotic purposes. The nurse reported for December 72 visits to homes, 275 visits to the office, and nine new cases. It was reported that Nurse K. Al. Robinson had returned to duty after completing her maternity training. Mrs Bassett served afternoon tea.

Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., who yesterday interviewed Koiterangi settlers regarding the erosion damage done oy the recent Hooding in their district, went to-day with an ollicer of the Public Works Department to make an inspection of the damage. Air W. H. Stopforth presided over the monthly meeting of the Hokitika Businessmen's Association. Motions of condolence were passed with the relatives of the late Robert Ross and Robert Pedder. A request from the Racing Club to close business premises at 12.30 p.m. on February 24. was agreed to. Messis Rowe, Copp, Alexander, Reece and Richards were appointed representatives io a conference on the raising of patriotic funds, and it was decided that in the event of a queen carnival being held, the Association distribute evenly among the candidates any funds which it might raise. The question of nomin-

ating candidates at the coming municipal elections was deferred till next meeting. It was resolved to request the local authority to take steps to minimise the dog nuisance in the streets. Accounts amounting to £ll were passed for payment. The Bowling Club, on Saturday, plays Runanga for the Reynolds Badges at Runanga; and will be represented by the following team:—McCormick, Tulloch,' Lakin, Gilligan; , Neilson, Havill, Fredric; Hogg, Houston, Waters, King; Schrouer, Cooke, Fleming, Benjamin; Ballinger, Stuart, Hoffman. Bain; Sherman, James, Conning Fraser; Henham, Roberts, Spiers and Stevenson.

The following articles for the forces oversea have been provided in this district:—Airmen’s gloves, Mrs Stuart, 1 nail-; airmen’s balaclavas, Mrs Wells 3, Mrs J'. Fitzgerald 4; balaclavas,' Mrs Ritchie 1, Miss Main 2. Miss Bourke 2, Kakapotahi School 14; Pullovers, Mrs Ingram 1; Scarves. Misses E.’ M. Cropper Norma S'tcel, R. Shand, J. Shand, M. Ross, J. Ross. G. King, M. Bourke, Mesdames RRoss, P. Coyle, A. Parkhill, Anderson, Eggeling, T. Staines, Junr. Ingram,

Johnston, Burt, one ea'ch; Miss E. Knight, Mrs Benjamin two each; Misses E. and M. Ward, L. Krakowsky, Tess Keown, Mesdames Smith, Gosling, three each; Miss Madge Ross four, Kakapotahi School six, Mrs Bassett S'enr., seven, Franz Josef W.l. 14. ' Mittens, Miss Bourke, one pair; Mesdames Hoffman, Neil, J l . Goodlad, two pairs each; Misses E. and M. Ward, Tess Keown, Mesdames Croawell, J. Cameron, three pairs each; Franz Josef W.l. seven pairs; Kakapotahi School, 11 pairs. The Businessmen’s Association at this week’s meeting decided to confer with the Borough Council regarding the provision of conveniences at Cass Square, there not being an adequate amount available to carry on the original proposal. It was also decided that the Association surrender to the Patriotic Committee its right regarding side-shows at Cass Square, and to keep a close watch if showmen are granted licenses, so that a set fee may be charged each day, for each side-show, and that the shows may be fairly run. At a meeting of the Patriotic Committee, there were present Messrs A. R. Elc’ock (Chairman), D. J. Evans, W. H. Stopforth, M. FI. Houston, G. W. Thompson (Secretary), Mesdames G. Perry and T. Stuart, and Miss E. L. Knight. Apologies were received from Mrs Z. Harrison and Mr F. D. Gillespie. Expenditure amounting to £36 9s 8d was approved, 'the provincial secretary advised that Westlands quota for the National Board’s expenditure this year was £3,045. It i was decided to obtain approval of the . Borough Council for Sunday pictures, and to accept an offer of films free from Theatre Management Ltd., Messrs Houston, Stopforth and Thompson being delegated to confer with the Mayor and the theatre management to arrange for Sunday pictures in aid of patriotic funds at the earliest possible date. It was decided to call a public meeting on Thursday, 13th. inst., with a view to organising means of raising funds at Easter, and specially to ask the co-operation of the following: Women’s Institute, Businessmen’s Association, Public Service Association, Church Guilds, Railway Department, Returned Soldiers’ Association, Post Oilice, Mental Hospital, Hospital Sports Club, Caledonian Society, Aero Club, St. Mary’s Debating Club, Licensed Victuallers' j Association, Dredgeworkers’ Union, Golf Club, Plunket Society, Beautifying Society, Tennis Clubs, Football Cltibs, Bowling Club, Tennis Club, Mothers’ Union, and S’awmillers’ Association. One proposition for the meeting will be a queen carnival, and Nelson Committee is to be asked for use of advertising propaganda for such a carnival. It was decided to write to the management of an amusement conducted in Weld Street, as to whether there was an erroneous impression that it was being carried on partly for patriotic purposes. Reports from Egypt regarding provision for the forces were read.