HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 March 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, March 12. Mr V. M. Miller, of Jackson Bay, was brought up to Hokitika last levening in Air Travel plane, and was admitted to the Westland Hospital with hand injuries. Private P. Hurfen, of the Fifth Reinforcements, was met by committee' members of the Hokitika Lawn Tennis Club on Friday evening, and presented with an engraved fountain pen. ' Mrs Knox Gilmer, of the Council and Central Executive Of the' New Zealand Women’s War Service Auxiliary, addressed a large and representative gathering of women last evening at the Hokitika town Hail. Seventeen delegates from different women's bodies voted for a committee of six to represent the women of the district as an executive. The following wer e elected: Mrs G. A. Perry, Mrs T. Stuart. Mrs G. A. Chapman, Mrs J. Preston, Mrs Harrison, Mrs Fane, Messrs Coles, Parham and Mrs Dorreen last even.ng acted as scrutineers. The He-pury-Mayor (Mr Elcock) was in the chair. He briefly introduced Mrs Gilmer, and, owing to a severe cold, asked that Mrs G. A. Perry (Mayoress) take the chair in his place. Mrs Knox Gilmer thanked Mr Elcock, welcomed Mrs Perry and asked that a message be sent to the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) expressing their hope for his speedy recovery from his illness. Mrs Gilmer said It was an honour to be asking the women of Hokitika for help, as her father (Right Hon. R. J Seddon) had for so many years been associated with the town. It was her first meeting in a black-out, and the Dominion Executive would not have asked her to come on this mission if the sanation had not been very grave. “The danger is very real,” said Mrs L»ilmer, and she appealed to everyone to help those in charge of the Hokitika black-out by close co-operation. Every home should secure a firstaid box, have also a box with a few’ warm clothes, some candle/; and matches (kept in an air-tight bottle); also some food essentials, such as dried milk, tinned fruits, etc. The one great idea was that in an emergency people' should know how oest to prevent a panic, and this could be achieved only by complete organisation and co-operation. She appealed to young girls to give every Help possible to the movement, and to women in general to sink all differences —to cease to be critical — and to get behind the organisation and the Government and help to win the war. Mr A. Cropper, Koiterangi, waited on the County Council regarding access 10 property in that district. The overseer was instructed to _draw up a plan of a proposed road and the chairman iand overseer, (together with the interested parties, ar e to inspect the proposed site the day before the next Council meeting. On Cr. Dale’s motion th e Council decided that the overseer be instructed to erect Pigeon Creek bridge on Doughboy Road, at an estimated cost of £BO.

On Saturday afternoon at the swimming baths a carnival will be held to raise funds for the Red Cross Queen in the Westland Carnival. Members of the Kanieri, Woodstock. and Rimu Home Guard gathered at Kanieri, last night and cleared the Kanieri Park, bringing it to first class order for the. Home Guard sports to be held on Saturday. ' Afterwards the Guardsmen were addressed by Messrs W. Eastgate and Wildbore, the former stating their gueriJla .armamenta were .’probably more effective than .303 rifles. He gave demonstrations jof these and of gas masks. Volunteers were called for the Mobile Unit, and numbers of men were selected.

The will, on Saturday, giv e demonstrations in various warraiv: training routines on the sports ground, 4 At Arahura Valley Women's Institute’s meeting yesterday the followering were elected; —President. Mrs J. Bradley. Vice-President: Mrs Finch, Secretary: Mrs R. J. Bradley. ■Treasurer: Mrs CiaiK. Competitions weiie: —Article from a 'sugar 'bag; Mrs Martin 1, Mrs BClwai'Ua 2. Best Bloom; Mrs iviartin 1, Mrs J. Bradley 2. A large parcel was packed from donations by all members and sent to the patriotic committee m Hokitika, lor soldiers overseas. At the County 7 Council's monthly meeting, there were present: Crs. James Donovan (Chairman), J. A. Murdoch A. Dale, P. J'. McLean, G. Rowley, ’B. Ward, T. P. O’Neil, W. Searle, W. A. Jamieson. It was resolved to apply for a back-block vote of £2OO for tile Turnbull south bank track. Accounts for £2,329 were passed. H. Thomson, Mananui, on oehalf of Mananui-Ruatapu residents, asked the Council to consider sealing portion of road owing to the dust nuisance at Mananui; distance required about 20 chains. F. Dennehy, Wataroa, asking attention to two open water crossings on road, and offering to assist with the work. —Overseer to report. South Westland Timber Co., Ltd., Auckland, asked the position in respect to the roading of the lower Waiho river district.—Received; Clerk to reply. A. L. M. and F. J. Adamson, Manakaiaua, wrote agreeing to road to sawmill being constructed. Mr. A Shorten Paringa, thanking Council for appointment as Roadman, pointing out the runabout truck was not suitable for road repairs. On. the motion of Mr. O’Neil, seconded by Mr. McLean, it was resolved to forward a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Ashley, and convey the regrets of the Council at her bereavement in the death of her husband, Mr. W. F. Ashley (Engineer to the Council). Hutt County Council advised Mr. F. MCampbell, County Overseer, a friend of the late Mr. W. F. Ashley, represented the Westland County at the funeral. Hon. R. Semple wrote thanking the Council for its letter of congratulations and good wishes. The Valuer-General wrote approving the appointment of T. W. Duff as assessor for County. Mr. O’Brien, M.P., advised that the Milltown road vote was being looked into. Adjutant Mitchell of the Home Guard, wrote suggesting a monetary allocation for approved expenses of the branches. The suggestion was' adopted, and a vote up to £5O was approved. Lake Kanieri Scenic Board drew attention to road erosion near Plan’s Bay.—Referred to the Overseer to visit and report.