HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, May 12.

Hokitika again raised the flag at the Post Office last week, indicating the town had raised its quota for National Savings. An earthquake tremor was felt in Hokitika on Saturday evening at 5.35 o’clock. The direction appeared th be from north to south. No damage. was reported. The shock was not” a heavy one in Westland. At the Magistrate’s Court in Hokitika on Tuesday morning, Sydney O. V. Holley was charged with taking two opossums, protected animals, and a further charge of having in his possession 16 opossum skins. Mess.s A. E. Benjamin and A. H. Lawn were on the Bench. Defendant pleaded quilty to both charges. Constable Miller and Constable

Stuart said they had caught the defendant clearing the traps. Defendant said he was home on leave and that his wife was sick and he was in ill health himself. He was convicted and fined 12 10s with costs 10s on the charge of killing and was convicted and discharged on the second charge. The Court made an order for the possession of the skins and traps. Mrs Neil occupied the chair at the meeting of the Institute branch in Hdkitika. Mrs Every read the aspirations* The roll call .was yearly subscriptions and sewing hints. Mrs Bassett demonstrated attachments to the sewing machine. A Golden Thread talk on vitamins was given

by Mrs Pratt. Competition winners were: Best bloom, Mrs Gallop 1, Mrs Roberts and Mrs Lawrence, equal 2; garment for Lady Galwai' Fund, Mrs Hughes 1, Mrs Young and Miss Knight, equal 2, Mrs Paterson 3. Hostesses’ items were: Piano duet, Mrs Jordan and Miss Dabu solo, Mrs Cox. At the meeting of the Rimu-Wood-stock branch of the Women’s Institute Miss Jean Keenan read the aspirations. Mrs J. Kelly gave an interesting account of the business dealt with at the Federation meeting. Mrs D. Wells was elected delegate to the conference to. be held in Christchurch. Competition winners wers: Soldier competitions, Mrs D. Wells; man’s. suitcase, Miss K. Wildbore; telegrams, Mrs J. Kelly. Mesdames J. Keenan and C. Bell were the hostesses.

Sister Cross, sub-matron at the Westland Hospital, was the hostess at a very pleasant afternoon in the Nurses’ Home on Mondav when the opportunity was taken by members of the Hospital Board to say farewell to Dr Aitken, Mrs Aitken and family, and also to.extend a welcome to Dr Arnott and Mrs Arnott. Mr E. W. Heenan (chairman of the board) presided and those present were Messrs T. W. Duff, A. R. Elcock, T. P. O’Neil, G. Heinz, G. H. Chapman and the secretary, Mr E. V. Hughes. Members of the nursing staff present included Sisters Inder, Wallace Berry and Taylor. The chairman, in opening the proceedings sa’d the board could not permit Dr Aitken to leave without expressing recogntion of the splendid service given to the hospital during his five years’ residence at Hokitika. Since Dr Aitken first became associated with the board he had immediately become a very valuable officer. Since the retirement of Dr Wilson, the whole burden had fallen on Dr Aitken. The board and townspeople knew how well he had carried on under difficult conditions and his own ill health. The relations between Dr Aitken and the board had always been very happy indeed. Dr Aitken was a pleasant and sociable superintendent, and one who was held in the highest esteem by the board, the nursing staff and the patients. The members of the board could not allow Dr Aitken to leave without expressing thanks and appreciation for the interest and attention he' had at all times given to his work. Not only the board, but the people of Hokitika and the district were sorry to have to say goodbye to such firm friends. The chairman extended every good wish to Dr Aitken, Mrs Aitken and the family. and trusted that thev would all enjoy better health in their new location. On behalf of the board Mr Heenan asked Dr Aitken' to accept, a small gift as a token of the very high esteem in which he was held by the board. Mr Elcock (Mayor of Hokitika), in supporting the chairman, said he was sorry, as were the people of the district, to have to say

farewell to Dr Aitken. Both he and Mrs Aitken had been excellent citizens and had taken their full share of civic responsibilities. On behalf of the townspeople he extended every good wish to Dr and Mrs Aitken and their famib’ in Khandallah. Hokitika would be the loser. They were sorry to lose such good friends and the town was loath to lose such an eminent doctor. However, health came first, and this was the only

factor in his makin n the decision. Mr O’Neil. (County Chairman) joined in the expressions of goodwill to Dr Aitken. With his co-partner, Dr Wilson, he had carried out his duties in a dignified and competent manner. Since Dr Wilson had left Dr Aitken had shouldered a very heavy burden, and it was not surprising that he could not carry on. On behalf of the County of Westland he extended good wishes to Dr Aitken,’ Mrs Aitken and family in their new home. Other speakers who support-

ed were Messrs Duff, Chapman, Heinz and Hughes. Sister.lnder on behalf of the nursing staff expressed regret at the departure of Dr Aitken. The associations between the Medical Superintendent and the nursing staff were most cordial. She extended good wishes to all in their new home. After Mr Heenan made the presentation to Dr Aitken, a welcome was extended to Dr Arnott and Mrs

Arnott. Mr Heenan said they Were coming among -nod people on the West Coast, people who would strive to make their stay in Hokitika pleasant. Dr Arnott ‘ was succeeding in the hospital some verv sterling men. The standard of Westland Hospital was very high indeed, but from the report to hand in regard to Dr Arnott the hospital was again to be favoured with a highly competent Surgeon Superintendent. Mr Heenan extended a welcome to Mrs Arnott. She would also find the people home--1 ly, and willing to make her stay pleasant and happy. He trusted that both Dr Arnott and Mrs Arnott would find Hokitika and the West Coast all that they had been told. The board u _ X J

would be found to be amicable and easy to work’ with, and the nurses and other staff members willing to help the superintendent to maintain the high standard already attained. Dr R. F. Aitken in replying to the kind remarks of the various speakers said both he and Mrs Aitken were sorry to be leaving Hokitika. They had made many friends and the people throughout the town and district had been very pleasant to serve. Now that the time had arrived to march on, he was just a little sorry to go. However other reasons compelled him to make the change, and he had to obey. He expressed thanks for the kind statements in regard to their citizenship, and for the presentation which both he and Mrs Aitken would treasure, and by

it remember Westland Hospital. Messrs Elcock and O’Neil on behalf of the people of the town and the Westland County extended a welcome to Dr Arnott and Mrs Arnott. Both speakers said they had no doubt that the Hospital Board had chosen wisely and well, and in Dr Arnott they had selected a firstclass man. ’ Dr Arnott would find the Coasters good people and people who would go a long way to help them. Dr Arnott said that he felt that he had a big job in front of him to follow on in succession to such worthy superintendents. He was very pleased with the hospital and surroundings. It was, indeed a very pleasing hospital arid in such an excellent situation,. He (expressed thanks for the kindly welcome extended to himself and Mrs Arnott and he knew from the people he had already met that he was going to like Hokitika apd the hospital. He was keen to get into work and to do his very best for afi.