HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 26 May 1942, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, May 25. Mr. T. Nolan and Miss Nolan, of Wataroa, returned from Lffinstchurch on Saturday, and proceeded to their homes yesterday. Master R. Perham, returned to Christchurch to-day. Miss J. Heenan, returned to-day u> the Teachers’ Training College. Christchurch. . Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Harper, have returned from a holiday visit to Christchurch. Mr J. F. Mills, formerly of Humphrey’s Gully, Westland, who was employed on tin dredges in Thailand, when the country was. invaded bv the Japanese, has been interned. Cabled advice of this has been recived by the members of his family in Hokitika. He was located at Bangkok, according to a messageTwo parties of Australian airmen visited Westland over the week end. One party of twelve proceeded to the Glaciers, returning on Tuesday. The other partv, who stopped at Greymouth. visited Lake Kanieri and Kokatahi yesterday, being motored out by Messrs D. R. Dowell. F. W. Shallcrass, F. W. Baillie, E. McDonnell, A. H. McKane and W. Parfitt Following a stay at Lake Kanieri, the party journeyed to Kokatahi and i were treated to afternoon tea at *ie 1 homestead of Mrs. W. F. Diedrichs. During the afternoon, the County Chairman (Mr. T. P. O’Neil), and the Countv Clerk (Mr. D. J. Evans), extended a welcome to the visitors, who were delighted with the scenery, of Lake Kanieri. The heavy mantle of snow on the Southern Alps provided a glorious spectacle for the visitors Community singing followed afternoon tea. The party left on return to > Greymouth at 5.30 p.m. They expressed their best thanks to all for the happy time they were accorded.

For an' E.P.S. trial yesterday, sirens sounded at 2.24 p.m. The E.P.S. organisation went into action under the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock), while the Deputy-Mayor (Cr. W. H. Stopforth)," was second in command. The chief warden (Mr W. M. Fraser), and Mr J. Shannon toured the town with sirens, and within a few minutes of the raid alarm, a fire alarm was given, this, a'nd other fires which were • included in the programme, being quickly dealt with. Dr. R. F. Aitken with Mr P. R. Whitford, controlled a main clearing hospital at the High School, while first aid posts elsewhere were fully manned, and six emergency ambulances took part. Bomb •’craters” were dealt with by workers under Cr. S. Havill, while Messrs G. Heinz and J. N. Robinson and staffs attended to gas and electric services. Transport under Mr G. 11. Chapman was efficiently organised, and with headquarters at the Grey motors under Sergeant Brown, auxiliary policemen controlled traffic. One party about to leave town was held up at the exit by a Warden, and had to await arrival of lan E.P.S. officer before being allowed .to proceed. The harboui- was under the control of a

special staff. Mr M. I-I. Houston (Controller of Sunnly) had a full staff ready. The trial being the first, disclosed a few weaknesses, but, with future trials the local corps will mould into ia highly effiaienlt unit. The all-clear signal was sounded at 3.30 p.m.