HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 26 July 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, July 25. Personal: At the meeting of the Business Men’s Association last evening. the Chairman, Mr. G. Bryant, referred to the deaths on active service of two former members, Sergeant F. G. Malloch and Private William Gilligan. On the Chairman’s motion, the Secretary was instructed to forward letters of sympathy to the relatives, and the members stood in silence as a mark of respect. Messrs G. A. Perry (Mayor), E. T. Stoop, J’. S. Bain and P. R. Whitford, constitute the personnel of the local Repatriation Committee, the duties of Secretary of which have been undertaken by Mr. Stoop. Messrs Bain (President) and Whitford. are members of the R.S.A. Executive. Football: Harihari team who arrive to-morrow morning, play Ruatapu in the afternoon, at Ruatapu, and before returning home will also , play a' match at KokataTii. Seven-a-side tournaments are being held at Ruatapu on Saturday, August 2nd., and at Hokitika on the following Saturday. Businessmen’s Association: Mr. GBryant presided last evening over a moderate attendance at the annual meeting of the Association. The balance sheet showed a credit of £l3 4s Id. The Chairman stated the Association, during the past year, had raised £3,000 for the Patriotic Funds. The following officers were elected: President: Mr. W. H. Stopforth (reelectea); Vice President: Mr. G. Bryant; Secretary: Mr. J. Richards (reelected); Assistant Secretary and Treasurer: Mr. K. W. Reece; Auditor: Mr. M. Dawe (re-elected); Committee: Messrs J. S. Bain, L. Copp, . W. A. Rowe, N. P. Griffin, G. Sutherland. A. Parkhill and PI. Pea'rt. Mr. Parkhill inquired if anything had been decided in regard to the installation of a safety device at the Park Street railway crossing. The Secretary said the Railway Department had been approached about two and a half years ago, and had then promised that a warning signal would be installed within six months, but nothing further had been done as yet. Mr. Parkhill said the crossing was one of the most dangerous, which school children had to cross on the way to and from school, and mothers were at present seeing their children safely across the railway line. He had seen a' coach and five horses smashed up on that crossing, and at another time witnessed a child being saved from going under the railway engine. At present over 40 children had to cross the line there, and up to fourteen trains daily passed over the crossing, which had, he said, been for 30 years a nightmare, though it was an easy crossing to make safe with an overhead ramp, which would not be costly. The Department had taken an inventory of the pedestrian and other traffic, and he considered it should erect a ramp. Other members supported this view, and it was resolved to write to the Minister and Department of Railways, asking that the work should be placed on the list of those that were urgent. It was decided to offer a' prize of 10s for a competition among school children for devising of a badge or slogan for the Association, the Chairman. Secretary, and Messrs Peart and Bain being delegated to draw up the conaitions. Members expressed their approval of the Government’s decision to commence shortly the erection in Hokitika' of a new Post Office. It was stated that the main entrance would be into Sewell Street, with the main counters parallel to Weld Street. A report on National Savings was given by Mr. W. A. Rowe (Postmaster), stating bonds amounting to between £19,000 and £20,000 had been sold in Hokitika since the campaign opened, and 82 groups had been formed, with 1,200 depositors, the weekly deposits exceeding 1150. The Association passed a unanimous resolution congratulating the Postmaster on his excellent effort to assist the cause. It was resolved to lend all possible assistance to the Beautifying Society in their effort io make the town more attractive. Members commented adversely on the neglected state of Borough reserves, stating plots that were once well kept had been neglected. It was resolved to write a protest to the Council on the matter, asking for attention to be given the areas in question. It was decided also to protest to the Military authorities

against holding the examinations of recruits from Hokitika and surrounding districts at Greymouth. Aj member said some recruits had been advised they would have to remain overnight in Greymouth for the purpose of being X-rayed on the following morning. Members mentioned that a Medical Board had been set up in Hokitika, and said it was time recruits were examined in their own town or that the Medical Board come to Hokitika. If the Board could travel to Wa'taroa, it could travel to Hokitika also. The Secretary suggested that the Association co-oper-ate in finding positions for apprentices in suitable trades. He had received inquiries from persons in Christchurch and Westport anxious io obtain employment in Hokitika. It was resolved that the matter was one for the State Placement Service, and was outside the scope of the Association.