HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Owe Correspondent )

HOKITIKA, October 29. Mr C. Donovan, of Okanto. left tor Christchurch last evening, fie took over three trucks of cattle from South Westland for the Canterbury market.

The members of the Public Works staff farewelled Mr Trevor Brown,, Public Works .Engineer at Hokitika, ‘last evening, prior to his departure for military camp. He has peen m charge of the Hokitika uilice for some vears, and has been a popular officer. On behalf of the generaj and maintenance staff, Mr C. Bristow presented Mr Brown witn a wristlet watch, and asked him to accept also a presentation clock for Mi’s Brown as a token of thpir esteem, other members paid tribute to the sterling qualities of Air Brown, and expressed the wish for his safe return to New Zealand after the war. The m.v. Gael is due this week with oenzine ano general cargo. She will load timber for Wellington. She is the only vessel now working tins port. The bar has been unworkable for some weeks.

At the Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., lined Robert Emmet Smith, of -Okuru, £IU with costs 12s, for failing to enrol in the General Reserve. stating the defendant had ample opportunity to enrol. A number of charges regarding stock at Ross were adjourned tor proof of service. Hokitika Borough Council sought approval for the sale of portion of Weld Street, uetween Mr S. J. Preston's shop and "The Bristol,” to enable the owner of Section No. 225 to straighten the boundary fence, the width of the street to be’. aligned in conformity with the front entrance. Mr Elcock appeared in support and Mr H. G. Park for Samuel John Preston objectoi- to the sale. Objector said he first objected to the closing of portion of the street in 1933, and in that ,year wrote to the Council because a fence was being erected on the roadway. Tne present building on Section 225 encroached on the street. The owner at that tlm e approached him ashing if he would oiler any objection to the building encroaching on the street, as it was necessary in order to square the building. The Magistrate: “Did this affect your property?” Witness: “No. The right of way was 28 feel wide at Revell Street and 38 feet at the back end of the street on the beach.” Witness took no steps at the time to check Mr Brown. The Council took no action. Witness did not think there was any extra fife risk when the building was being erected. When the building was set out. he could see the encroachment was greater than represented to him, ana was sorry that he did not take action. Mr Brown approached him m 1933. The fence was erected. He wrote to the' Council, but no action was taken. In June, 1941, the matter again cropped up as a building was erected at the rear of the section. The Council did not object. The Council later appointed a Subcommittee to report on the matter, and on receipt of the report tlia Council had no objection. The Magistrate: “Let us come to some point. Is your objection a personal one?” Witness: “None whatever. The objection is to the narrowing of the street. Hundreds of tourists use this street.” The Magistrate: “Well what detriment is that? I cannot see. What would be th e natural remedy? I know the Lobality quite well. There are no shops. It is a common entrance to the beach.” Witness: “I don’t think so. It is the only fire break in the street. Many years ago when a big fire occurred this was the only fire break that was effective in checking the fire, which wiped out 16 shops.” The Magistrate: “Now you are coming to something. You consider the roadway a good firebreak. What effect would the straightening have upon the roadway in its effectiveness as a firebreak?" Witness: “Old buildings are always a fire danger.” The Magistrate: “The resolution as to sale was agreed to by the citizens.” Mr Park: “At this time Mr Stopforth, the owner of the section, was a member of the Borough Council.” Mr Preston: “The plan produced showed my shop encroached on the street.” The Magistrate: “That is not before me.” Mr Park: “It was stated by the Mayor at the meeting that Mr Preston had

no right to object.” The Magistrate: “I am quite convinced that there is no merit in your objection. lam quite frank. There is no merit. If you have no further grounds, I am going to approve. It is only wasting time; I do not see why this section should not be approved of.” 9.he Magistrate consented to the Council’s application to sell the portion of the street required to align the section. ' , . At the Warden’s Court to-day before Mr G. G. Chisholm, Warden, N.Z. Prospecting and Mining Ltd. a.pplied for a license for a special dredging claim in Block I, £^ ani eri

S D.—Adjourned until December lu. Clark Campbell’s surrender of license for water race was accepted. Charles and Mary Smith’s application for a special sea beach claim at the mouth of the Karanguhua Rivex; was adjourned until November 12. Mrs A. Harns’ application for a water race m Block X, Bruce Bav S.D.. was adjourned to November 26 for a report. John L. Sweeney’s application for an ordinary prospecting license over an area in Block XVI. Okanto was adjourned until November 26 for a report. Robert William Honeys application for an ordinary prospecting license over an area in Block Xi, Waimea, was adjourned till November 12 for declaration by applicant. James C. Scott’s application for a special sea beach claim situated at Karanguhua was granted.