HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1942, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own

HOKITIKA, June 19. Pilot Officer D. Spence returned last evening from overseas. Lieut. W. Blair, a former wellknown resident returned recently from the Middle Eeast and will remain attached to the forces in New i Zealand. I Mr. and Mrs A. Richards of Christchurch arrived on Wednesday evenThe funeral this afternoon of the late Mr. W. E. Richards was largely attended. A detachment of men left for a military camp this morning, most of them married men, drawn in the recent ballot.

Enlistments are still being received for the National Reserve unit here, Attested at close 70; they have received their equipment, and will probably be mobilised early next month.

At the Westland Hospital at the end of last month there were 75 patients, compared with 77 at the end of the previous month. Admissions during the month numbered 107, and the total treated was 184. There were 70 operations. The highest number of occupied beds was 72 and the lowest 54. The value of the farm products was £74/10/2, including 621 gallons of milk, 92 pints of cream, 180 lbs pig meat, 129 lbs ot vegetables and 14 dozen eggs. At the Westland Hospital Board meeting the Chairman, Mr. E. W. Heenan, was elected unopposed. Proposing his re-election, Mr. T. P. O’Neil said the time was inopportune for a change, and Mr. Heenan had carried on through a difficult year in a satisfactory manner. Mr. W. JJamieson, who seconded the nomination, declined himself to be nominated by Mr. J. A. Murdoch, who said he had proven an excellent Chairman of the Grounds and Farm Committee, Mr. Jamieson stating that he had long hours to work on his own farm owing to labour scarcity. Mr T. W. Duff, proposed Mr. G. H. Chapman,' stating he preferred the position to go round,, and Mr. Chapman had taken a keen interest in the work of the Board. Mr. Chapman, in declining nomination said he supported re-electing Mr. Heenan, who was an excellent chairman, and had had many difficult jobs to carry through. There was no furthei .nominations, and Mr. Heenan W|as unanimously re-elected. Mr. T. WDuff was elected as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Deputy Chairman The Department of Health [forwarded plans for the Matrons 1 cottage, with necessary alterations. It was resolved to protest to the De partment against the suggested alterations, and if necessary to refer the matter to Mr. J. O’Brien M.P. The Chairman. Messrs Duff, Heinz and Chapman were appointed, with the Secretary, to reorganise staff ana other matters. The Chairman outlined a plan to instal the Secretary at the Hospital as Manager as soon as the Matron’s cottage was completed. The House Committee brought forward a similar recommendation, it was agreed to give effect to the i recommendation at the first oppor tunity. The Department and Minister of Health forwarded congratulatory I letters as to arrangements to meet anv emergency. Mr A. R. Elcock forwarded his resignation as a representative of Westland County on the Board, stating that now the question of the mining values had been raised, he, being the Mayor of Hokitika; thought it best to resign as a County representative. Mr. O-Neil (County Chairman) said the County Council vzas proud to have as a representative on the Board the Mayor of Hokitika. With Messrs. Duff and I Jamieson he had called on Mr. ElIcock that afternoon, and on behaii of the county, they had asked him to I reconsider his decision. The mining question had nothing to do with the Board,' being purely a matter for the County. Mr. O’Neil moved that the matter of Mr. Elcock’s resignation be held over for one month, this was agreed to. The 1 Employment Office':' advised continuance of Scheme 13 until September 30, after which date the subsidy would be further reduced. It was decided to continue the scheme.