HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1941, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, Nov. 17. Mr. J. A. Murdoch is to go to Wellington to represent the West Coast Patriotic Council at a ' conference on November 24. Mr. C. Donovan has returned from a visit to Christchurch. Mr. F. Lynch, of Reefton visited Hokitika at the week end. Mr. J. Minehan who returned from Christchurch on Saturday returned to Hari Hari on Sunday morning. Mr. E. G. Raine, wh 0 proceeded to military camp on Thursday will be attached to the Army Medical Corps. On Friday evening residents of Woodstock and Rimu gathered at the Public Hall in Woodstock to bid farewell to Mr E. G. McMurtnie, who is to join the Railway Construction Company for service overseas. He has been in the employ of the Westland County Council for five years, and was in charge of road work in the Koiterangi district. The County Council and employees presented Mr.’ McMurtrie with a wallet of notes. Mr McMurtrie left on Saturday morning for the camp at Rongotai. The Mayor Mr. G. A. Perry occupied the chair at a meeting of Waste metals committee. It was agreed to hold a' house to house collection in. Hokitika on the last Saturday in February for waste materials, the Boys Scouts to assist. It was resolved to write the school teacher at Bruce Bay expressing appreciation of the splendid efforts of the children and the residents in ,the collection of waste materials there. The following materials will be salvaged and collected from residents: Clean paper, old books, music, exercisejs, newspapers, magazines, periodicals, brown paper, wrapping paper, cardboard, cartoons, containers, clean calico rags, cotton rags, non ferrous metal, aluminium, brass, copper, electroplate, electric lamps, lead, pewter tin, toothpaste and similiar tubes, zinc. The committee expressed thanks to the Boy Scouts, Westland Co-Operative Dairy Company, Kanieri Electric Coy, Westland Transport Coy, and to the Railway for assistance given. The committee has been able to hand over the sum of £l3O to the Patriotic Fund from the sale of Waste materials. After being bar-bound for two days the Gael sailed on Sunday morning for Wellington. The vessel is to return towards the end of the week. Mr. H. Forman has signed on the Gael iqj place of Mr. W. Jenkins, who resigned off the vessel. The reconditioning of the Municipal baths was completed on Thursday, and the baths were filled on Friday. The baths anjd enclosure are in first class order and the season should be successful. A swimming instructor from Christchurcii. is to visit Hokitika on November 27 or 29, and will spend the day giving instruction to school children. Mrs Havill presided at the meeting of the Women’s Institute nt Koiterangi. The members stood in silence as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in tn? reeer-t tragedy at Koiterangi. Arrangeme.its were completed for a Christmas Party at which each child will receive a national savings book with a deposit of 1/-. and ice creams and sweets. No toys will be given. Mrs. De. Fillipi (delegate to the South Westland Conference) gave a report on the conference. It was resolved to send a delegate to the Dominion Conference at Wellington next year. To help the money pool it was decided to hold a “bring an buy.” Mrs. Havill was given charge of the wandering shilling for December. “There is no wealth like the heart’s content” was the motto, and a receipe for “Washing Day pudding,” was the roll call. Competition results were: Sweetest scented flower, Mrs Havill 1, Mrs De Fillipi 2, Dust Cap, Mrs De Fillipi 1.

Mr W. _'unr., of Hari Hari, lost his home by fire on Wednesday night, and also sustained severe burns when saving his child from the burning house. Fortunately Dr. Simpson, (Medical officer for schools) was in Hari Hari and attended to his injuries. Later Mr. Searle was brought to Westland Hospital, where he is reported to be as comfortable as possible. ' , The death occurred unexpectedly on Sunday evening of Mr W. H.

Breeze, of Ruatapu. He was about as usual during the day, and passed quietly in his sleep. Fifty-two years of age, and well-known in the district, the late Mr Breeze was a native of Hokitika. For many years he followed the trade of a baker, but ot late had been employed on various public works in the district. He leaves a family of two daughters (Misses Muriel and Margaret Breeze) (and three sons (Henry, Peter and Earl), all well-known in the district. Four brothers reside in Hokitika, Messrs J. J. Breeze, E. W. Breeze, A. T. Breeze and J. Breeze. The funeral will take place at Hokitika to-mor-row afternoon, leaving his brother’s residence, in Tancred Street, at 2.30 o’clock. To-day an inquest was opened by the Coroner. Mr A. E. Benjamin, and laftr identification by his brother, Mr J. J. Breeze, was adjourned. At the annual meeting of the Beautifying Society, the following officers were elected for the coming year:—Patron, Mr J. O’Brien, M.P.; President, Mr S. J. Preston; VicePresidents. Messrs G. H. Chapman, W. E. Green, T. N. Mitchell, M. B. James, A. W. Yarrall, B. L. King, J. A. Murdoch, Mesdames W. Wilson, Aitken, Geo. Perry, A. Parkhill and iP. Renton, Junr.; Secretary, Miss J. Stevenson; Committee, Messrs H. Lawn, H. Stapleton, R. Fredric. J. Preston, D. Herring, D. Stewart, D. Eggling, A. Groufsky and R. Guthrey and Mrs A l . Stevenson. The Association Cup for the most improved roadside lawn was awarded Mr JSchroeder, Sewell Street. Appreciation was expressed of an offer of Mr Rowe to keep the riverside lawns in good order. It was stated that a triangular plot at the entrance to the swimming baths was in good order, and many favourable comments had been made in regard to this work. Thanks was expressed to the Regent Theatre Coy. for screen advertising, and to the “Guardian” for space given in the interests of the Association’s work. To Mr Neilson, winner of the Turner Cup, the trophy was presented by "the chairman. A vote of appreciation was accorded to the judges, Mrs A. Stevenson and Miss Stevenson. The membership fee was fixed at 2/6, and it is hoped to enrol many new merrfbers. The chairman said Sewell Street was well worthy of a visit, the roadside lawns having been improved. The R.S.A. Re-union was well attended. Mr J. Bain presiding and Mr G. A. Perry, the Mayor, being present. Toasts included. “The King,” “Fallen Comrades” (Mr A. C. Armstrong); “Men of the Second N.Z. E. responded to by Messrs Owens and Caldwell; “Hokitika R.S.A.” proposed by the Mayor, and responded to by the Chairman and Messrs Paterson and Thompson. “Army, Navy and Air lorce,” proposed by Mr F. J. Perham and responded to by Lieutenant Johnson (Army), Messrs Armitage (Navv), and Powell (Air Force); “South African Veterans”, proposed by Mr Thompson, and responded to by Messrs T. Stuart, F. ■McGregor and G. Nesbitt; “Home Guard,” proposed by Mr C. L. Harper and responded to by Messrs Fredric (Hokitika), Barrowman (Ruatapu). Muir (Arahura) and S'. Godfrey (Koiterangi); “The Ladies,” (Mr F. McGregor); “The Press,” responded by by Mr A. E. Benjamin; “Our Entertainers,” responded to by Messrs L. Ross and Copp. Songs were given by Messrs A. E. Perry, A. Couch, J. Shields. Mr J. Schroder rendered selections on the accordeon, and Mr Reece related interesting stories.