HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 July 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, July 14. Shortly before noon a commercial traveller, Mr. Mullins, was found dead in a lavatory at the Hole! Westland. He had arrived from Christchurch by the rail-car this morning, and then booked in at the hotel. He apparently went first to his room, and later to the lavatory, where he was some hours later found dead. Dr. D. A. Arnott, was called in. It is understood that death was due to a seizure or heart failure, but details will not be known until the inquest has been held. A tumultous-jvelcome was given here by a crowd of 2000 to the returning soldiers la'st evening, the railway station being gaily decorated with greenery and coloured .lights, with a special area for next-of-kin. Mr. G. H. Chapman and Mrs. G. Ferry made arrangements for motor cars to take home the soldiers and next-of-kin, the cars being driven by members of the W.W.S.A. A large parade of ex soldiers formed a guard of honour, while the Band played a programme. The crowd cheered lustilv, as the train drew in, there being more cheering as each soldier left the train. Among those at the station were the Mayor Mr. A. R. Elcock; Deputy Mayor, Mr. C. Caliari; County Chairman, Mr. G. Rowley; R.S.A. President, Mr. J. Perham and Secretary, Mr G. Gilchrist; Mr A. H. Lawn, with many relatives of the men had met them at Greymouth. To-day the returned men were looking up friends, and while making light of war experiences, expressed ■ pleasure at being home, coupled with a wish to rejoin the Division at the end of their furlough. Before Mr. G. G. Chisholm, S.M., today, a charge of stealing £24 8s 5d from a workmate was admitted by a young man, whose sentence was suspended for a month and his name suppressed. S'ergt. Brown said a workman on a dredge, named Haile? lost a tobacco tin containing wages amounting to £24 8s sd. Accused, who asked for the suppression of his name, admitted he picked up the tin on the floor of a lorry and found it contained money. He was sorry for his action. Sergt. Brown asked the Magistrate to give consideration to accused, who had helped the Police and was genuinely, sorry. The Magistrate said" he wanted time to consider the plea of accused in regard to future employment, and would suspend sentence meantime and order suppression of accused's name. For riding without a light at night, William E Whiley was lined 10s and costs. I At the Warden’s Court Mr. G. G. [Chisholm, Warden granted the 10lI lowing applications: Jessie Martin, renewal of residence site; James Wells, an extended sea beach claim; M. J. Boyle surrender of water race; Kani- , erf Gold Dredging renewal of license for dam; Tlipmas A. Condon surrender of residence site; J. A. Stuart and E. T. S'herriff surrender of extended 'alluvial claim; Arthur S. Hyndman surrender of extended alluvial claim; Frank Mitchell, special sea beach I claim. Applications adjourned were: Butler Bros, two dam sites; A. Muir, dam site.