HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 August 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA. Aug. 20. A contract has been let for the building of a modern concrete bridge over Duffer’s Creek, on the Main South Highway. The contractor, Mr. G. Green, will put the work in hand at once.

A start has been made with driving of piles for a groyne in the back channel of the Hokitika River to protect the bridge and aerodrome by diverting the waters down the centre channel. The work is hampered for lack of necessary timber. The Armed Forces Appeal Board, Messrs W. Meldrum (Chairman), A. J. Panther and P. J. McLean, with Mr. C. Shapcott (Secretary) sat here to-day when the following appeals were adjourned sine die: Alan Chapman, operator, and Albert S. King and Jas. W. M. Hutchison, linesmen (Kanieri Electric Ltd); Charles K. Glass, roadman (Westland County Council); R.. Cumming, lorry driver, and Percy, Crough, buttermaker, (Westland' Dairy Coy); Paul E. Renton, engineer (Renton and Co). Superintendent L. Ross, of the Hokitika Fire Brigade, entered Westland Hospital on Thursday afternoon for medical treatment. During his absence the Deputy Superintendent, Mr. C. B. Preston will be actingsuperintendent of the Brigade. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of Bruce Bay, are at present on a visit to Hokitika. Mr. T. Cron, of South Westland, was a visitor to Hokitika during the week. At the' meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council on Tuesday evening, the Council resolved to bring the local hairdressing saloons under the administration of the Health Department. The local inspector, Mr. McEwan will be the inspector for the Borough and the fee payable will be 10s per annum. At the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board there were present: Messrs E. W. Heenan (Chairman)'. W. Duff, G. Heinz, T. P. O’Neil, F. Freitas. A. R. Elcock and J. A. Murdoch. An apology was received from Mr. W. A. Jamieson. Sister T. E. White forwarded her resignation as Matron of the Maternity Home, which was received with regret, and it was resolved to forward a letter of appreciation of her services over a long period. The Chairman and Secretary were empowered to arrange to fill the position, and also that of cook at the Hospital. It was 1 decided to advertise for' a cook for the Hospital, either male or female, ; the Chairman and Secretary, to deal with the matter. It was agreed to ask the Price Tribunal to permit the Board to charge the same fees to patients from other districts as would be charged residents of Westland, if admitted to other institutions, as at Auckland Hospital 18s per day was charged. The Department of Health advised in regard to subsidy payments. The Medical Superintendent ' reported 66 patients were in hospital on June 30, 75 were admitted in July and 74 remained on July 31, 141 having been treated during July. The Matron reported 26 operations during July-, 217 X-rays and 290 massage and therapeutic treatments. Occupied beds averaged 68, the highest number having been 73 and the lowest 54. Staff Nurse Bennett, has resigned, and the appointment of Nurse RyMnson as Staff Nurse was recommended. It was reported that farm produce worth £73 12s 3d had been provided for the hospital The local E.P.S. activities will be curtailed a great deal in the future. The Borough Council recommended that the Auxiliary Fire Brigade Unit be maintained, but all other sections be limited to a Skelton organisation. Most of the equipment will be sold, and onlv necessary portions retained. The resignation of Mr. G. H. Chapman as controller was received, and Mr. T. N. Mitchell. Deputy Controller was appointed to the vacancy. It was mentioned at the meeting that lhe Red Cross and other sections, which were very necessary in the event of earthquakes, were always ready to’ take over, and their training would be continued. The Mayor, Mr. A. R. Elcock, presided at the meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council on Tuesday evening. The following members were present: Crs. C. Caliari, T. Duff, G. Heinz, L. Ross, K. Aitken and E. W. Heenan. The Council agreed that it would not be wise to consider the holding of a municipal conference during the war period. The Manager of State Advances wrote advising that under the Municipal Act the Council assumed responsibility for the drainage system of the State Housing. Acting on advice from the Municipal Association, the Council resolved to adhere to its previous decision not to take over the responsibility. The Secretary. Hokitika Harbour Board, forwarded the rating resolution for the year.—Received. The Council struck the rates for the year amounting in all to 2s 2d in the £ with the sanitary fee at 255. Hon. J. O’Brien notified the grant of £32,000 for the new Post Office in Hokitika. The Postmaster General notified that the work would be put in hand at the earliest possible moment. The overdraft limit was set at £4,000. Abbattoir fees for the month were £7l 15s 6d. Accounts amounting to £1,557 2s 6d were passed for payment.