HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 March 1942, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, March 18. Mr T. P. O’Neil, Chairman of the Westland County Council, has left for Christchurch and will spend a few weeks in Canterbury. Mr R. Wild is at present indisposed, and is confined to his home. Mr J. Donovan, who’ has been, visiting Greymouth, returned to South Westland this morning. Messrs R. Arnold and J. Thompson of Wataroa, were visitors to-day. At a sitting of the Medical Board here, 14 Territorials were examined, 11 being passed as lit and three classed as temporarily unfit. The statement in this column yesterday that payment had been received by local members of the Home Guard requires qualification, any payment made not being for training, but foi' work that in other centres is also paid for. Whereas defence works in other centres on the West Coast, as elsewhere, are carried out by members of National Reserve and Territorial units, who are paid, and are at times assisted by men of the Home Guard on a paid shift basis, the Defence works of this nature at Hokitika have been carried out by Home Guard units on a purely voluntary basis. The Army authorities recognised that the work accomplished and that still to be completed was not inconsiderable, and arranged that Guards of the local battalion when carying out this work in future, should be remunerated on the same basis as Home Guard members doing the same work are remunerated in other centres. In fairness to the Hokitika men it should be said that the remuneration has been-the least inducement, as attendances on ,paid parades have been less than at those when the work has been done without thought of reward. The Guard here have no desire to be paid for training. They are even to-night, for instance, providing a guard- for v planes and always do so, without remuneration. Mr T. P. O’Neil (Chairman), presided at the; meeting of the Westland County Council yesterday, Crs. R. J. Bradley, W. T. N. Bond, N. Harris, W. A. Jamieson, C. Rowley and W. Searle also being present, and an apology was received from Cr. P. J. McLean. A visit to proposed protection works was arranged, at the request of the Public Works Engineer, on a date suitable for the Member for the District. The Lighting Controller wrote renewing a waiting against use of lights or Hares at Okarito Lagoon, and advising in regard to lights on dredges fronting the sea. It was decided to ask Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., to interview the Native Trustee requesting him to visit Arahura. Notification re. pet-, vol supply for Ruatapu E.P.S. and Council members were received. An agreement in regard to heavy traffic with Grey County Council was duly signed. It was resolved to forward to the Board the objections of Mr K. Hogan to a proposal of the Land Board to sell portion of the Arahura sea-beach road. It was decided to hold over for a conference with the Air Controller, Hokitika Borough Council’s notification that it will no longer subsidise upkeep of the local aerodrome. .An application by A. R'. Wallis to lay down a tram along a County Reserve was granted. Hamilton and Coy. advised their foreman was still ill, and asked the Council to defer the works for some time. The Council agreed to two months’ grace. Accounts totalling £2,264 Ils 5d were passed. Cr. Donovan’s arrangement for the Okarito Ferry for a period of three months was approved, the cost being £5. Remission of mining rent on two areas in the South was recommended. It was resolved to take legal steps to collect all oustand’"- rates. The question of the closing of roads at Koiterangi and at the Big Wanganui was' held over pending further investigation. It was decided to confer with the Impressment Officer in regard to impressment of a County truck. Cr. Donovan moved that the chairman's honararium and travelling expenses be fixed at £BO per annum, stating he felt that in view of the many calls made upon the chairman, an increase was essential. Cr.

W. Searle supported, stating the amount should be £lOO in conformity with other bodies. Cr. G. Rowley also supported the motion, stating the amount should be fixed at £lOO. All payments had been raised since the slump. The Council approved of the motion, the honararium being fixed at £lOO.