HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 April 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] Personal: HOKITIKA 1 , April 23. Mr T. Marks (Public Service Commissioner) and Mr Miller (General Secretary to the Public Service employees) have arrived in Hokitika. Air G. A. Perry, Mayor of Hokitika’, has announced his intention of again offering his services. Mr Perry has occupied the position for 28 years, which constitutes a record for New Zealand, and always has enjoyed the complete confidence of the people.

Shipping: The “Hokitika” sailed to-day at 8 a.m. for ,Jackson Bay, with general cargo. After discharge, she proceeds to Bruce Bay to load timber for Wellington. The “Gael” is due from Wellington early next week. She will proceed to Okuru with general cargo and provisions. Presbyterian Church 75th Anniversary: The celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Hokitika’ commenced on Sunday morning, with a children’s service, a. feature of which were special parts taken by the children. Rev. A. D. I Horwell, of Greymouth, conducted a I young people's service in the evening. I Thanksgiving for the pioneers was offered “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men,” taken from the book of Ecclestiastics, and read by six members of the Girls’ Auxiliary. On Tuesday evening the Sunday School Superintendent and staff entertained ex-teachers and friends at St. Andrew’s Hall, which was gaily decorated with fernery and flags. The Anniversary Cake, a beautiful .replica of the original church, was cut by Miss Douglas, daughter of Rev. William Douglas, Minister of the Congregation from 1881 to 1907. Mrs Feist, wife of the Minister (Rev. M. Feist) was presented with, a beautiful bouquet, and ex-teachers were also presented with bouquets. After tea was served there were children’s, recitations, solos and choruses, and all present joined in singing some of the old-time songs. Rev. J. Davie has arrived to take part in the celebrations, and will conduct the Anniversary’Service next Sunday. Returned Soldiers’ Association: Mr J. S. Bain presided at the month!}' meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Association on Monday evening, and the following members were present: Messrs H. Wells, R. Patterson, C. Hart, G. Wilson, W. Eastgate, T. Stuart, P. Whitford and W. M. Fraser. Dr. T. W. Childs forwarded his resignation and expressed his appreciation of the assistance he had received. The resignation was accepted with regret. The appointment of a successor was held over till the annual meeting. The secretary reported poppy sales this 1 year amounted to £5l Bs, and some returns had yet to come to hand. A vote of thanks was accorded all who assisted on the day. Arrangements were made for a laurel wreath to be placed on the grave of the late Lieutenant F. W. Ashley on Anzac Day. Headquarters advised that Mr Jacobs (Dominion Vice-President) would give a broadcast talk on Thursday, April 24, at 1.30 p.m. The executive was left to decide the form of service for Anzac Day, Mr Armstrong to be the marshal. Air Patterson was appointed delegate to the conference. Messrs C. Hart and I C. Wilson were appointed Hospital ; visitors for the month. It was re- j solved to express thanks to the j Queen Carnival committees for post-I poning collections on Poppy Day. St. Andrew’s Guild Complaint: Following is the. Westland HospL.

tai Board's reply to the complaint of St. Andrew’s Guild regarding the Maternity Home:—Your letter of the 7th instant to hand, objecting to the alterations and additions to the Maternity Home in Hokitika, was received at the Board’s meeting on Thursday evening. In reply thereto, I am instructed to say that on June 6, 1940, the Board advertised its intention to proceed with the raising of a loan for this purpose, and gave the legal notice of five weeks. No objections were lodged. After the acceptance of tenders for the work, your objection was received. Before deciding to proceed with the work, the Board gave consideration to every aspect of the proposal. The Department of Health was pressing the Board to build, a new home, but in order to ease the increasing burden of rates, it was decided to postpone building until a loan matuied in four years’ time, or until world conditions are more favourable than at present. The renovations decided upon were purely as a temporary measure. It might be stated that, even if it were proposed to build the home now, it would still be necessary to proceed with the alterations to the present home, to relieve the immediate overcrowding position. It might be assumed by your organisation that a new home could be built at a moderate cost, but it should be pointed out that the Board is only permitted to build according to the very high standard set by the Health Department. Prior to deciding upon temporary alterations to the present home, plans were drawn according to the Department’s requirements, but war broke out. The architects, piewar estimate was £15,000. It is sale to say that even in the doubtful event of the necessary materials being procurable to-day, the new home, equipped and furnished, would not cost less than £20,000. The Board, assuming that your organisation is unable to assist materially with the cost, cannot agree with your contention that the monetary point of view does not enter into consideration, and is unwilling to place such a burden on the community at the present time. It must not be supposed, however, that the Board is unmindful of the necessity of providing a better home as soon as possible. The need for this is constantly before the Board, and its fixed intention is to proceed with the erection of an up to date Maternity Home as soon as ever conditions permit. Rimu Hill Accident:

It transpires that the fatal accident on Rimu road last evening was due to the chain coming off the driving wheel,' allowing the motor cycle to get out of control. George Agnew who was in charge of the motor cycle, suffered cuts and abrasions. His brother was knocked unconscious, and never regained consciousness. The family is one of the best known in the district, and the lad who lost his life was a particularly bright young fellow and very popular with his mates.

Borough Council: When a request was received by the Council on Monday evening for a front footpath to be sealed, the applicant expressed a desire Io find half of the cost. Cr. Duff suggested, the Council should encourage the people to get the work done,. ns it was a permanent improvement in the town. Cr. Slopforth suggested the Council should take levies and get the streets done properly. At preIsent it was a piece-meal job. Cr. I Callari said Mr Pettigrew had set an I example. ‘The work in front of his ' premises was a very fine job. The I Council should adopt this style. Cr. Fox said Mr Fitzgerald had also done ' a very fine job, but it had lessened the value of adjoining properties. The Town Clerk said that actually the Council knew nothing of this work until application was made for half

the cost. Or. Fox said it was a funny sftate of affairs when work could be carried out without the permission of the controlling authority. He queried whether water tables and drainage had been safeguarded. The Borough Overseer: “In this instance I was not instructed. The footpath is two feet too wide. It is outside the line of posts.” Cr. Fox: “Trouble is going to come now, when others want to seal. I am concerned about the drainage.” The Town Clerk: “The job was completed before we knew about it.” Cr. Ca'larai: “This piece-meal work should not be permitted. Paths should be completed from block to block, levels taken and drainage safeguarded.” The request was then referred to the Overseer. The Library Committee in a request for the Council to grant an extra subsidy of £B5, to enable it to take advantage of the Free Country Library Service, stated that if extra subsidy was granted, the Library would be able to give a’much more efficient .service. Residents would have free reading, plus all the advantages of a first class service with 600 new books provided by the Country Library each year. Books had advanced in prices, and on the present subsidy the committee was not able to offer the usual service. The Town Clerk said the Library finances would have to be considered. The Free Country Library Service offered to supply 50 per cent, fiction and 50 per cent, good novels. Practically every town in New Zealand availed itself of this service. Cr. Fox: “There is no doubt Mr Harper, who waited on this Council some months ago in regard to this matter, put forward a very fine case, and worthy of a great deal more consideration than it received at the time. This new service means free reading for the people of Hokitika, and let is worthy of consideration.” The Deputy-Mayor, Cr. A. R. Elcock: “This Council turned this scheme down some months ago, and it seems unfair that the Council should open the question again at this period.” The Council agreed to forward the request to the incoming Council.

News: At the Magistrate’s Court today, before Mr G. G. Chsholm, S.M.. Frank, Bristow, licensee of the Empire Hotel | at Kanieri, charged with opening his i premises for sale of liquor after I hours, was convicted and fined £2 and | costs 10s. Two other charges were withdrawn. Carrie Louisa Bristow, charged with supplying liquor, being , other than the licensee, was convict-; ed and fined 10s and costs 10s. Twelve offenders were convicted and fined 5s and costs 10s for being on premises after hours. For exceeding the speed limit, Percy Neilen Gibbons was fined £1 and costs 10s. ‘ At the Warden’s Court John Lewis Sweeney was granted an ordinary prospecting license. Lily Mackley and Cyril Arthur Mackley were granted one certification of protection for six months, and application for another was withdrawn. The following applications were adjourned till May 21:—N.Z. Prospecting and Mining Ltd., special dredging claim; Vivian J'oseph Robinson, surrender of mining privileges;. Greenland Gold Ltd.’s two applications for ordinary prospecting licenses} were adjourned.