HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 November 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our' Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, Nov. 17. Mr Guthrie, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Guthrie of Fitzherbert Street, arrived to-day from Christchurch to -spend a few days with his parents. Mrs Guthrie is at present a patient in the Westland Hospital. The Gael sailed at 1.30 p.m. for Wellington with timber and general car°-o, including canned whitebait from Nolan’s factory at Okuru. She will return at the week end and will load for Okuru. The Borough Council at its meeting last evening received a request from the Hokitika Business Men’s Association to erect in permanent material a municipal building of modern design and including public amenities, theatre, club rooms and other recreational facilities. The Mayor, Mr. Elcock, said it was the intention of the Council to provide such a builds ing of the most modern type, but it could not be erected until after the war, building costs and scarcity‘s of materials being deciding factors. The building to be constructed after tne war, would be a credit to the town. The Fire Board asked the Council for building bye-laws compelling the provision .of Concrete fireproof walls in business areas. The Town Clerk was directed to bring down a report at next meeting with a copy of the proposed bye-laws. A petition from Mr. V. Pierson and other residents in the area adjoining Ford’s Brewery, Gibson Quay, complaining of the smoke nuisance, was received. It was decided to hand the matter over to the Health Officer for investigation. Kanieri Hokitika Sawmills wrote agreeing to crossing being made over their tram line along Gibson’s Quay. It was decided to tar-seal a portion of Bealy Street, an applicant to bear half the cost. It was resolved to offer £5O towards constructing one turnout on the Hokitika Railway Bridge. A petition from Mr. S. Clarke ‘and others protesting against a camping ground adjoining their residences was withdrawn. The Town Clerk said the Automobile Association had not completed the transaction for the area. A councillor stated the Association .had purchased an area on the main highway between Hokitika and Kanieri. It was decided to apply for an extension of the employment subsidy for thirteen weeks. Messrs D. Pettigrew and C. B. Ross waited on the Council urging attention to their footpaths in Bealy Street owing to flood . menace. It was resolved that the Overseer inspect the area, and report as to the cost of channelling, kerbing, and sealing the footpath to be carried out in the New Year. Mr. Pettigrew said the residents would be prepared to find £2O to assist with the work. Mr. F. A. Kitchingham (Mayor of Greymouth) was appointed as representative of the Council on the executive of the South Island Progress Committee. Abattoir fees for the month amounted to £BO 7s 9d. Receiving the report of the Baths Management Committee, the Mayor congratulai ed the committee on their capable management during a difficult year. The valuations of farm properties in the Koiterangi district leased by the Council were approved, and Crs. E. W. Heenan and L. Ross were authorised. to sign the leases. The Mayor extended a' welcome to the Overseer Mr. W. Cropp, who had returned to his employment after serving with the forces overseas, and expres.-eci the wish that the Overseer would enjoy good health. He also paid a tribute to Mr. John Cutbush who had carried out the duties during Mr. Cropp’s absence. At the annual meeting of the Beautitying Society, the following officers., were, elected.: President, Mr. E Green; Vice Presidents, Mesdames Elcock, Wilson, P. Renton, G. Ferry, J Murdoch, Messrs M. B. James, Watt, Watson, and H. Rowe: Secretary, Miss J. Stevenson. Committee, Mrs. A. Stevenson, Misses E. Knight and J. Ross, Messrs Friedlander, B. King, S. J. Preston, W. Eggling, C. Thomas, T. Mitchell, R. Frederic, D. Stuart, D. Herring, L. Proude, K. Hadfield, A. Buckland and J. Preston. It was decided to hold a working bee in a Fitzherbert Street area, i which is to be beautified, and to call j a meeting qf interested to i cons'der the planting of trees in some ! streets. It was decided that the 1 winner of the Turner Cup in any season, should be stood down for one year. The credit balance was reported as £2O 13s 4d. Membership had increased from 19 to 56. A tribute v/as paid to Mr. Rowe for attending to the riverside lawn, to Mr. Andrews for attention to the Triangle, and to , Mr. Weibletz for willing help throughout the year. It was stated an effort was made to commemorate Arbor Day with only a moderate response , from interested bodies. Flowering cherrv trees having b een planted in the Triangle. Lawns had been well- i kept and a number of new ones ■ formed. . , ~ J I The R.S.A. at its meeting decided to advise headquarters that it favoured a utilitarian war memorial, preferablv club rooms nere. Messrs T. Stuart, H. Kortegast and C. Hart were appointed to represent the Association on the Beautifying Society, i A vote of thanks was accorded VAD.’s for a donation. It was de- ( cided to object to the appointment of a member of the Land Sales Board. The Secretary was instructed to arrange with the Patriotic Committee for 20 parcels to be kept on hand for soldiers departing. Hall : rental revenue for the montn amounted to £9 17s 9d. A vote of < condolence was accorded the wife and < family of the late Mr. Crase, a' South African War veteran.