HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] Personal. ho kITIKA, May 20. Cables have been received from the following Hokitika soldiers intimating their safe return from Greece to the Middle East :-Maurice Keen, Jack Groufsky, A. Agnew, R. A. Wilson, J'. Turner, F. G. Malloch and A. Musson.

Court News: . On Monday .at the Magistrate., Court, before Messrs A, H. Lawn and A. E. Benjamin, J’s.P., a resident of Kanieri was convicted and ordered to pay medical fees amounting o one guinea for an assault upon is brother. A prohibition order was also decreed by the Court, although the accused offered strong objections.

Colder Weather: Following a boisterous week-end, the weather broke fine this morning, but there was a very heavy iros.. The mountains are coated heavily with snow. The Gael has. been detained here for the past nine days. She should be able to sail to-morrow morning.

Borough Council: The Mayor, Mr. G. A. Perry, made his first civic appearance since his illness when he presided at the first meeting of the new Borough Council last evening. The Mayor congratulated the old members who were returned, and extended a welcome to , the new members. Cr. G. Heinz, on behalf of the Council, expressed pleasure at the improvement in the Mayor’s health, congratulated him on his re-election, and trusted that he would enjoy good health in the years to come. Mr. A. R. Elcock was elected Deputy Mayor. The following committees were set up: Finance: The whole Council: Abattoirs: Crs. J. Fox (Chairman) and S. Havill; Public Works: Crs. G. Heinz (Chairman), D. Stuart, C. Callari, and S. Havill; Reserves: Crs. W. H. Stopforth (Chairman), E. W. Heenan, J. Fox and T. W. Duff. Rates and By-Laws: Crs/A. R. Elcock (Chairman), W. Stopforth, D. Stuart and C. Caliari; Representative on High School Board: Cr. Elcock; Representative on Fire Board: Cr; Elcock and Cr. J. J'. Mclntosh. It was decided to meet on the third Monday in each month. It was resolved to ask the High School Board for a lease of the Education Board reserve for the municipal baths for a period of 21 years with the right of renewal, and to ask the District. Lands Register to grant the Council a license for the strip of land taken for enlarging the baths. Crs. C, Caliari, T. W. Duff and E. W. Heenan were appointed representatives on the Library Committee, and instructed to confer with the committee as to the free country library system. Most Councillors voiced objection to the introduction of this system, contending that if people wanted books to read, they should be prepared to pay for them. It was also resolved to recommend that the Library Committee be reduced from twelve to six members. Requests of residents in Fitzherbert Street for a footpath and of two Rolleston Street residents for road access, were referred to the Public Works committee. The Council agreed to the suggestion of the postal authorities to shift the telephone box at the State housing section to a location at the corner. A letter from the People’s Movement was received. The Hospital Board notified its levy fox' the year, this showing an increase of £6OO. The Mayor said the increase had been explained and was found satisfactory. It was agreed to. The Council set up a special committee to bring down a report with plans for the building

of a new town hall, comprising Crs. W. Stopforth, E. W. Heenan and D. P. Stuart.

St. Mary’s Club: The group system of debating was initiated at this week’s meeting of St. Mary’s Debating Club. The members who took part, with theii sub jects were: Mr. L. Graham, “The Burial of Sir Thoma's Moore"; Mr. C Henderson, “Why Latin is used in our Church Ceremonies"; Mr. N. Grant, “A Trip to Akaroa”; Mr. P. Stephens, “Westland”; Mr. J. O’Rourke, “Ceremonies"; Mr. P. Groufsky, “The Glutinous Duck , LWilson “Democracy and Liberty"; Mr. k! Mulrennan, “The Highwayman.” The following members were drafted to speak at next meeting. Messrs A. McMullcin, R. Roberts, M. P Moore, W. Davern, R. Quinn, T. J. Keown, K. Kidd, T. Hanrahan and D. Haddock.

Borough Council Against 40-Hour Week:

The Borough Council last evening received a communication from the Lake County Council, Otago, which sought the support of the Council for the following resolution: “As a result of experience during recent months, both from financial and man-power aspects, the Lake County is convinced that the effect of the existing legislation relative to labour is so retarding production and busi» ness activities, that the war effort is being seriously and definitely retarded, and the Council considers that the Government should be urged to bring about the cessation of the 40-hour-week, together with its many regulations. The Council further contends that the waving of ideals, rights and privileges of both employer and employee, is in the present circumstances justified, and if the people of New Zealand are to be permitted to co-operate to the full, as is being done in England, and give thier unlimited backing to our lighting forces, who are making tremendous sacrifices on their behalf, all such obstacles should at once be removed.” The Mayor, Mr. G. A. Perry, said that, under the present conditions, when New Zealand was getting off lightly, this motion should be supported. Cr. Elcock agreed, saying that it was up to everyone to put their shoulders to the wheel. The Council agreed to give its support to the motion to cease the forty-hour week.

Rugby Sub-Union: Mr. S. Moore presided at the weekly meeting of the Rugby Sub Union last evening, the following member.-., also being present: Rev. Dr. Harrison, Messrs A. Lawn, W. Kearns, M. Davidson S. Havill, J. Coulson, ,A. Stevenson and E. W. Heenan. Sea View Club nominated a junior team, their Club colours to be green a’nd gold. The following members of the Club were regraded as juniors: A. Staines, K. O’Brien, S'. Diedrich, O. Fowler, K. Strange and K. Wallace. The applications of D. Oldham and W. Holloway were deferred. The following fixtures were made for Saturday next &'t Hokitika —JUnior: Ruatapu v. Sea View, at 2.30 p.m. (Referee, Mr. A. Cutbush); Kiwis v. Excelsiors, 2.30 p.m. (Referee, Mr. D. Stuart). Third Grade: Kiwis v. School 8,. 1.30 p.m. (Referee (E. Olson). If a senior game is set down for Hokitika, the junior game will take place at 1.30. At Kokatahi, School’ and Kokatahi Thirds play at 2 p.m., Mr. W. Hall being referee. The Secretary was instructed to ask Kokatahi Club to consider playing one of its home matches with a Greymouth team at Hokitika, to infuse more interest into- the game, and to assist the union. The Chairman stated he had interviewed Mr. A. D. Spencer, Physical Instructor of the Internal Affairs Department, a'nd the matter of physical instruction was referred to. the Clubs

for their consideration. The Secretary was empowered to employ a man to complete work on the fields for Saturday’s matches.

R.S.A.: Mr.'J. Bain presided, at the monthly meeting of Hokitika R.S.A., other members present being: Messrs G. Wilson, C. Hart, G. King, J. Robinson, W. Eastgate, C. Harrison, P Whitford and H. G. Park. Mr. Wilson reported soldiers in hospital were comfortable, and the usual issue of tobacco and fruit were made. Messrs King and Whitford were appointed visitors for the month. Westland Patriotic Committee notified the visit of the Air Force Band to Hokitika'. It was resolved to assist with the accommodation and entertainment, the Chairman and Secretary to arrange the details. The Patriotic Committee requested the help of the Association in forming an organisation for the welfare of wives and dependents of soldiers overseas, and it was resolved to co-operate to the fullest extent. Hokitika was shown as 34th. on the membership ladder. The use of the hall wds granted the Red Cross Committee and Hokitika’ Women’s Auxiliary for lectures, meetings and classes. The Secretary was empowered to purchase a N.Z. Ensign, to be flown on the buildings on special occasions.