HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, August 19. Gunner Jack Jones was tarewened at Kokatam by a large gatnermg, and was presented witn an envelope ana iountam-pen from tne residents by Mr T. P. O’JNeH (County ChairiHcini, ana a goia signet ring irom tne football club by Mr C. ivionk, a noid-aii from tne Badminton Clup by Mrs woolnouse, and a hussif from tne Women's institute by Mrs Bait a. Mr O”Neil said the soldier, a native of the district, ( was one of whom tne community were proua, and tne presentations were a mark of their nigh esteem ana goodwill. Gunner Jones expressea aeep appreciation both for tne gifts and kind expressions ano tne targe gathering on tne occasion. mis McGiasnan, Miss ft. Siopioxin and Miss Marva Lyes gave song a , winle aance music was supplied ny Mrs Baird, Messrs W. Menarry and W. Kelly, extras being, played by tne Kokatam Band, Mrs Shields ana Messrs Jaeattie, Cook and Akers. Mr J. O Brien, M.P.. in reply t° an inquiry, nas aavised Mr B. W. Heenan that he will on Tuesday next wait on tne Government nouns Board to ascertain the reason of ns deiay in approvmg of the proposal to raise a loan for a new lire station here. Yesterday the raii-c<tr arrived here with its front coated oy aoout three inches of snow, causing no utile curiosity- among those awaiting it at the station. The snow had remained on the vehicle from the time it had left Arthur's Pass until its arrival m Hokitika. 1

Mi' J S. Bain presided last evening at the local R.S.A. meeting, and welcomed Mi' T. N. Mitchell,, a newly elected member to tne Executive. Messrs Bain and Lloyd were appointed hospital visitors. It was decided to refuse requests for a reduction in the had rents, owing to a falling in revenue. A canteen fund allocation was received of £5 6s. Mr W. M. Fraser was empowered to sign cheques. It was resolved to offer congratulations to the Borough Council on their excellent arrangements for the welcome home to returning soldiers.

Mr A H. Lawn presided at tne Westland Hugbv Sub-Union meeting last evening, and with Mr S. Moore reported on an interview with the West Coast Union in regard to the representative fixture, West Coast v. Air Force, to be played at Hokitika. The Union intimated that the SubUnion would have to guarantee a £3O gate, just sufficient to meet the expense of bringing the team over. The Secretary (Mr E. W. Heenan) said £3O would barely be sufficient, as the team would have to be entertained during its stay. Mr Lawn said there would be little prospect oi. an extra gate charge. A suggestion was put forward that it might be possible to billet the Air Force team at hotels. The secretary was instructed to ask the West Coast Union for a detailed statement of expenses to be charged against the match, and time of the team’s arrival and departure, on receipt of which the chairman and secretary would make further arrangements. Mr Lawn said he had collected £3 towards sending a school team to Maryborough. It was hoped to raise £5 as the Sub-Union’s share of a total amount of £3B. It was decided to donate £2 to fulfill, the quota. It wasi decided to protest to the West Coast Union in regard to allocation of complimentary tickets to the Sub-Union for the Shield, and other representative fixtures at Greymouth. Members stated referees and officials who give their services to the code were entitled to much better treatment. Matches here on Saturday are. Seniors: United v. Kokatahi, Celtic v. Hokitika. Third grade final: Schooj v. Excelsiors af 1.30 (referee, Mr E. Olson)

At the Borough Council s meeting last evening, there were present: His Worship the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry), Crs. C. Caliari, D. P. Stuart, J. box, W. H. Stopforth. T. W- Duff and B W. Heenan. There were apologies from Crs. S. Havill, G. Heinz ana A. R Elcock. A petition from 27 ratepayers in Brittan Street complained of lack of attention to the

street, intimating that if certain work were carried out, they would be able to improve their frontages. The borough dray had only made one visit to the street in twelve months They wer e paying the highest rates in the town, and considered they were entitled to a better service, cr. Fox said the petitioners should be congratulated on their watchfulness. Their record of the visit of the borough dray was interesting to, the Council The Mayor said tne Council was always charged with not having a progressive outlook, but it had to be considered that rating had now reached the limit in Hokitika. The general rate at mnepence in the £ was equal to the hospitaj rate of ninepence, and all the council could do with the revenue was practically maintenance. However much they would like to do something for tne petitioners, there was no money for special works. The streets would be kept in order, and whatever else could be done would be. 'tne Mayor s motion that the Council explain its position to the petitioners by letter was approved. The Mayor said hospital rating was becoming burden, the ratepayers being asked to carry more man their fair share. Gr Heenan said the Minister of Health was alive to the position, and was considering means of relieving local bodies of the burden. Cr. Stoplortn asked th e Council again to consider the question of discarding the horse and dray, a service whicn cost £4OO per annum, whilst tne Council had also to pay for lorries to do most of its general work. The Mayor saia this was the day of mechanisation. The horse and dray were not capable of doing the work, and he was in favour of purchasing machinery to do it. Cr. Stuart supported the proposal, together with Crs. Heenan, Callari, Fox and Duif. It was resolved to purchase a secona-nand two-yard lorry and to sell the horse and dray. The Business Men’s Association wrote drawing attention to the need for attention to Macanarew and Cass Squares. Cr. Canari remarked that .while the Association was continually writing to th e Council for works to be undertaken, and suggesting that the Council did not reanse these were urgent works, -the Association on its part had to remember it was primarily a matter of finding the money. After discussion, the Town Clerk undertook to supply data so that the squares might be given attention. The Association offered to find £3O towards an outlay of £3OO required for erecting a convenience at Cass Square, tor which it also forwarded a plan. fine Mayor pointed out that they lacked the funds for such a work. Cr. Stopforth said there was over £2OO standing to the credit of the Butler Estate to provide certain amenities for the town, and this could be diverted to the project. Cr. Heenan said this money was provided by the Butler Estate for amusements for children, and could not be diverted. The Mayor said the matter was one for the Trustees, whom he would undertake to see. Cr. Heenan said that the building, if erected in Cass Square, would be a “white elephant.” Such a building should be adjacent to the business area. The proposal was shelved for the time being, owing to a lack of finance. The Association complained at injustice to local Army recruits in being made to go to Greymouth for medical examination, pointing out that a Board had been set up in Hokitika, and that there was no reason why the Medical Board should not examine recruits here. It asked the support of the Council in representations to have recruits examined in Hokitika. It was agreed to lend full support. The Sanitary Inspector forwarded an authority for closing three buildings considered unfit for habitation, and the Council resolved to issue closing orders The Director of the Country Library Service notified approval for the setting up of the free library service in HokitikH, sta.tin.2r tne LzOV" ernment Library officers would' be here towards the end of the month, and would classify th e books in rhe library, and put in a first instalment of 450 new books. The change over would take effect on September 1. The library service would supply 1200 books • each year, books being changed at regular intervals. ine i Harbour Board advised that its rate would be the same as in previous years.