HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 January 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, Jan. 19. At the meeting of the Borough Council on Monday, there were present the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock), Cr. G. Heinz, D. P. Stuart, T. W. Duff, C. Calarai, E. W. Heenan and K. J. Aitken, apologies being received from Crs W H, Stopforth and L. Ross. Accounts totalling £487 12s 8d were passed for payment. The Town Clerk said ther e was a debit balance of £834 Ss 9d. Abattoir fees for the month amounted to £94 13s 4d. The Mental Hospital authorities wrote agreeing to cut and remove any trees felled bv the Council. The Mayor said it was proposed to restore street lighting, and Kanieri Electric Coy. Ltd. would remove the shrouds. They had been hampered by a shorn age of labour. Cr. Stuart said the work' should be put in hand at once He had been in other towns throughout New Zealand, and Hokitika appeared to have overdone the black-out. Delay was now occurring in restoring the iights. while other towns had almost completed their restoration. Cr. Aitken said people were complaining about the lighting, Hokitika was blacked out like a dungeon, while other towns had enjoyed lighting facilities. It was decided to renew the agreement with the Country Library Service for a period of twelve months. It was also agreed to renew the contract with the Hokitika Gas Company for the supply of 4,000 gallons of tar annually. The public accident risk was.renewed for a further term. The Town Clerk submitted a report on the cost of digging graves and services at funerals on Sundays and holidays stating overtime costs were very heavy. On two funerals the Sexton had been paid £4 in overtime. The cemetery and ground was rough, and it took six hours to dig a grave. Extra costs were falling upon the ratepayers. After discussion it was resolved to increase the fees, .for burials on Sundays andj holidays to time and ahalf, the new rates to come into operation as from February 1, 1943. In order to permit the Sexton to give full time to the cemetery, it was resolyed to call applications for the position of working lorry driver, and that the Council tq make an appointment at a special meeting at noon on Saturday. Mr H. Stuart was granted the use of Cass Square for a merry go round on the - usual terms. Greymouth Waterside Workers’ Union was granted. th e use of Cass Square on Saturday, February 20. The Mayor, Deputy-Mayor and Councillor Stuart were appointed a special committee to attend the conference of local bodies in Greymouth to drajt a pro-i gramme of works under the Rehabilitation programme. Cr. Stuart suggested that the Council should give attention to the starting of industries that would keep the town going. The gold dredges and sawmills would not last for ever. In another 20 years, he said, sawmilling would be practically finished in the Hokitika area. It was resolved to support other municipalities in the request that municipalities be declared essential industries. Cr. Stuart asked the Council to give consideration to the planting of native trees to replace the pinus insignis felled in Cass Square. At the Borough Council meeting, the Mayor referred to the departure of Dr. B. L. Wilson, who had been Superintendent of Westland Hospital for the past twelve, years, and in private practice in Hokitika and m Westland County. Many citizens ha approached him with the suggestion of tendering Dr. Wilson a public farewell, and he w as himself heartily m accord with the proposal. There was no need- to point out the many si.erlmg qualities of Dr. Wilson, who ha. been an excellent citizen and one who had the welfare of the people am the district at Heart. Councillors unanimously supportd the proposal and a committee was set up to maita the necessary arrangements, consisting of the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor Crs. Duff and: Stuart. It was resolved to ask also the c°-°P' e ra.ti° n of Uie County Council, and to ask the CounU Chairman. Cr. T. P. O’Neil, and Lm County Clerk. Mr D. J. Evans, to m present at the meeting, and to mv.u the citizens who desired'to assist -c attend the meeting. It was dec.deo to hold the public farewell in th-, evening on a date to be agreed upon and to engage one of the theatres.