HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 July 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

LU’ur Own correspondent: HOKITIKA, July 22 Personal. —Mr Olds, 01. Chris'* church, was a visitor to-day. Mr Bowman, of Christchurch, visited Hokitika on Monday, returning today. . .■ n . There was a very representative attendance to-day from many parts of Westrand at the funeral ol tne late Mr William (Riley) . Smith, which took place at the Hokitika Cemetery. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church bv Rt*v. Father Finertv at 9 a.m., ano the funeral took place at 2 o’clock. The services at the graveside were conducted by Rev. Father Finerty, as- , sisted bv Rev Dr. Harrison. Many .of deceased’s workmates on the Iximu , Flat Dredge attended, four of their . number, Messrs J- Kidd, W. Linklater, J. Tibbles and J. Miller acting as pall-bearers. Many beaut, nil floral tributes were received. Hon F Jones. Minister ol De- ; fence, notified Mrs Malloch, of Hokitika, to-day, of advice haying been received that at a court of inquiry in Egypt, it had been decided tnai her husband, T/Sgt. Francis George Malloch. might be presumed to nave died of wounds in Crete. The Prime Minister also forwarded his sympathy to Mrs Malloch and family. "June 30, 1941 Rev. Douglas Spence. Chaplain to the 20th Battalion, forwarded the following letter to Mrs Malloch: Dear Mrs Malloch: It is with sincere regret that, as Padre attached to the 20th Battalion, I write to inform you of the death of your husband Corporal Malloch was a good soldier; he was held in the highest honour and respect by his officers. He held the high esteem and regard of the men. and was very happy with them. Corporal MaToch was killed in action in Crete. He was faithful to the post of duty right to the end. W e- are conscious of a deep sense of loss in our unit; we receive a measure of comfort from the thought that, wlTle he has been called to his great reward, h P died for his country. The influence of his life lives on in the memory of his friends, and h> the heart of our unit In deep sympathy, yours sincerely. Douglas Spence.’’ Government Free Library System For Hokitika.—The Borough Council at a meeting last evening, decidi a to take advantage' of the Government’s free library system, regarding whirr a report was submitted by Crs. C. Caliari and E. W. Heenan, who had represented the Council in a discussion on the subject with the Library Committee. Cr. Heenan said the Municipal Library was at a crossroads when the Council’s decision meant either the end of it or a new life of service. At present the Council was paying a subsidy of £lB6 to the library, which, with subscribers’ fees, enabled it to meet its payments. In the past few years, however it had gradually slipped back. The free library service offered by the Government would giv° the- Council and thg committee an opportunity save the position. If the Council ' would grant an extra subsidy of £63 a year, the Government would supply 1200 books a year, provided the library oave the people free use o*. the books. Other towns had taken advantage of the scheme, and n Hokitika did not, it would mean that Hokitiks. would be paying towards th p service for other towns. The committee would recommend rhe Gouncil. to take advantage of tne service and grant the extra subsidy. Cr. S. Havill: “Wh v should we give the people free reading? There is a catch in it somewhere.” Cr. Heenan: "There is no catch, and there -'s no suggestion of a propaganda stunt.” The Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry): "It is the Left Wing that I am up against. At present there are numbers of these books in the library, one about Joe Stalin, and others about Russia, and a lot of others containing piffle.” Cr. Heenan: “Those books did not come from the Government. They were put m by the Council’s nominees on the previous committee. However, some people desire to know all sides. What T do know about books in the library, is that certain people purchased many high-brow books that were only' for their own taste, and these books were expensive. This will not happen in future. Our library has an excellent children’s library with over 400 books, this section being m charge of older school children who

, do all the work, and this is a svonI derful service to the children of Hokitika. To those o£ us who Lave had long experience on local bodies, 1 put this position: Supposing the library committee walked out, we would be forced to take over the library, ana I will guarantee that, instead of costing the' Council Hlu a year, it would cost x5OO. At pi i sent the ratepayers are paying a suosiuy to the librarv_to provide books lot a few of our citizens. Under the new scheme the library would provide free reading to all residents. 1 can also vouch for it that the library here costs the Council less than that in any .other town of equal s.ze. Even with an increased subsidy, tne Hokitika library grant would still be the lowest in its class in New z,esland.” Cr. Havill: “It means that the roads will have to_.suffer to ch.s extent.” The Mayor: “Yes, that Is so.” Cr. Heenan: “The extra grant would not affect the roads to any extent. Why, we have approve a of jobs to-night that were author.sed over four years ago.” Cr. D. P. Stuart: “Well, I think it is the wrung time to provide free reading foi the people.” Cr. Caliari said he was prepared to give the Library Committee an opportunity to prove the scheme, although he was agamst providing free reading. Cr Heenan moved' “That the Council grant the increased subsidy up till March 31. 1942, to enable the Committee to take advantage of the Governmenl free library service, with a condition that the committee spend a sum of £2O on the building.” Cr. J. Fox seconded the motion, and said it was a democratic move. He was impressed with the case made out at a previous meeting bv the members of the Library Committee. The Mayor put the motion, Crs. Heenan. Caban, Duff Fox and Elcock voting in favour ' and Crs. D P. Stuart and S. Havill against. The motion was declared. The scheme will bn put under wav at the verv earliest moment. Fire Board: At the meeting of the Board on Monday afternoon, there were present: Messrs A. R. Elcock (chair) N. D. Bowman, W. E. Olds, E W.’Heenan, and J. J. Mclntosh. Supt. L. S. Ross was also present. The Chairman welcomed Messrs Olds and Bowman (Insurance Coys representatives), and E. W. Heenan (Government representative). The Government notified the appointment of Mr. Heenan as Government representative (vice Mr. S. J. Preston). Messrs Olds and Bowman paid

tributes to Mr. Preston for his services, and on the Chairman’s motion, it was decided to send him an expression of appreciation of his service Mr, Preston wrote of his appreciation of the co-operation of his fellow-members during his term as a member of the Board. Mr. E. W. Heenan said he did not know why the Government had seen fit to make the change in its representation. As he was now its representative, he would do his best to look after its interests. He was particularly keen on seeing that the Fire Brigade got a new station. A motion was passed protesting against the Government changing its previous representatives on the t ire Boards at Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. Hokitika Borough Council notified appointment of Messrs A. K. Elcock and J'. J. Mclntosh as its representatives. The Fire Brigaae notified Messrs L. D. Ross and CPreston had been re-elected Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. Mr. Bowman moved that Mr. Girling Butcher be informed that additional new hose would be needed in the near future. It was reported that there had been no fires for three months. Authority was given the Brigade to procure service honours for members. The Secretary reported: Receipts, 1435 14s 6d; expenditure. £126 10s 9d. Supt. Ross reported Brigade officers bad put in much time training auxiliary members under the E.P.S., who showed high efficiency. Some couplings needed renewal. He added that the Brigade desired to record appreciation of services of Messrs Box, Grant and Preston, and extended a .welcome to Messrs Bowman, Olds and Heenan, and a hope that cordial relations would continue. Members took strong exception to a delay in securing from the Loans Board sanctions for a loan for a new tire station. Mr. Heenan said that, provided the plans were approved, there should be no further delay. Mr. Elcock said the plans, since being amended, had no.t yet gone forward for final approval. The Chairman was empowered to wait on the Hokitika Savings Bank to ascertain if money would be available on loan. Messrs Bowman and Heenan undertook to assist in speeding up authority once plans were finally approved. Mr. Bowman said, and it was agreed, that the Brigade required, besides a new fire station, a modern fire engine. Members made an inspection of the plant. Golf at Mahinapua Links: The

men’s No. 4 Bogey match was won by C. L. Harper (one down). ’ e P.S. at Ruatapu: Messrs T. P. O'Neil (County Chairman), ana D J. Evans (County Clerk), visited Rua tapu on Saturday evening to meet the residents and form an emergencv committee. There was a large attendance. Constable Busch, ol Ross, who was present, made a recommendation that one member act as a lighting warden, and three as a Law and Order Committee. This was adopted. Proposals of Dr. B, L Wilson in regard to first aid. were adopted. Arrangements were made to have motor transport available for any emergency. It was arranged that the sawmill tramway could be used if evacuation were found necessary. It was resolved to call a meeting of all interested, including ladies, also Messrs Barrowman (Home Guard), Wilson, Hayward and Allen, and to enrol all residents willing to assist. “Burma Road’’: When the cost ol a new footpath recently constructed alongside State houses in Fitzherbert Street was being discussed at the Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, Cr. J. lox said it was to cost £l2 to £lss, but from what he saw it would cost a great deal more. Cr. S. Havill (speaking for the Public Works Committee, in the absence of Mr. G. Heinz), said the footpath was down in the rigffi position, and was a good job, and it would not cost so much. Cr. E. W. Heenan- “I suppose you know the people have given the new road a name It is known as, the Burma Road.’’ Mention of the name caused much merriment among the Councillors. Home Guard: Sundays parade, along with I'erritorials, at Mahinapua links was well attended. Enroute air’ raid alarm tactics were practised. At the links instruction was given in Held signalling, section and company' drill. The parade lasted from 10 a.m. to 4.30, p.m. There is a parade to-morrow at 7.30 p.m.

R.S.A.; Mr. J. S. Bain, presided at the R.S.A. meeting, als 0 present being Messrs F. McGregor, W. M. Fraser, G. C. Wilson. H. Wells, P. Lloyd, ’ A. King, G. H. Neilson, W. Eastgate, J'. Perham. C. Hart, G. King and T. Stuart. Mr. Eastgate reported on visits to soldier patients in hospital. Messrs Wells and T. Sfuart were appointed visitors for the month. Headquarters advised a new system of distributing canteen funds, oh a population basis, the al-

location for Westland being two pence farthing per man per month, the money to be used solelv for relief. It was decided to offer congratulations to Headquarters on assistance given returned men A discussion took place as to welcomes to returning soldiers, it being agreed that the community should haye an opportunity of showing appreciation of the services rendered by returning men. The President and Secretary were deputed to approach the civic authorities and Patriotic Committee with the object of making welcomes more fitting than gatherings at the station. A donation oi £2 2s was made to the Overseas Nurses’ Fund.