HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 December 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, Dec. 13. The funeral took place on Saturday of Mrs. Emma Johnstone, a wellknown resident, who was in her 70th. year. A member of the Merewether family, she was predeceased by her husband. She leaves three sons, Mr. F. Shannon and Mr J. Johnstone (Hokitikal)f; and Mr. F. Johnstone (overseas); one brother, Mr. J. Merewether (Stafford), and three sisters, Mrs. G. Taylor (Wellington), Mrs. E. Batty (Blenheim), and Mrs. T. Mather< (Sydney), >

The Home Guard, whose training is now at an end, held locally its third fanniversary smoke concert on Saturday, when Major Perham, the Commander, prior to his departure for Wellington, was presented with a fountain pen. Over 100 were present, including Lieut. R. Guthrey, M.C., Major C. Briggs, Major P. Blank, Flt.Lieuts. C. Lewis and Suttie, the Mayor (Mr. A. R. Elcock), Captain Armstrong, Senior Sergeant Brown and Mr A. H. Lawn.

At the adjourned inquest on the child, Peter E. Nolan, aged 15 months Mr. A. E. Benjamin, Coroner, found that death was due to broncho-pneu-monia, the result of burn s received on November 28. Mrs. Dorothy May Nolan, the mother, stated that at 7.15 p.m. she was watering the garden, the child being with her, and when returning from the house with a second bucket of water she heard the child cry out. She found him on his feet about three yards from a small patch of ashes where her husband had burned some weeds and rubbish that morning. She could see that he was burnt, and sent for a doctor. The child was sent to the Hospital, where he died on November 30, Dr. David A. Arnott, Medical Superintendent of Westland Hospital, said the child was suffering from extensive superficial burns. His progress was satisfactory until the morning of November 30, when he developed acute bronchopneumonia, which caused death. Dr. Ellis has been appointed As-sistant-Medical Officer at the Sea View Mental Hospital, and has commenced his duties.

Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Perham leave to-morrow en route to Wellington, whither Mr. Perham, who has been Conservator of Forests for Westland since the outbreak of war, has been transferred. Mr. Perham as President of the R.S.A-, and Major of the Westland Home Guard, proved a courteous and obliging officer. On Saturday afternoon the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Rawlings of Weld Street, had a narrow escape from drowning while bathing alone in the river, opposite Brittan Street. The tide was out and the river shallow in places, and the lad was trying to float on hi s hack. Getting along' fairly well, he tried to l get on his feet, and found he was out of his depth and became alarmed. Miss Wells, a school girl, heard his cries for help, and immediately went to his assistance. By the time she reached the spot, the lad had sunk, but she dived under and brought him to the surface, where he commenced to struggle, but Miss Wells tucked his head under one arm, and with her free arm swam ashore. Other children from nearbv assisted her to carry the lad to her home, where, fortunately there was a visitor who understood how to i=S3S¥J?te him and after a good sleep, ne was, quite restored, and was taken to his home. Miss Wells, although only a schoolgirl, showed extreme pluck in rescuing the boy, averting a certain tragedy. and her effoi’t is worthy Oi the highest commendation. Hokitika attained its quota for the National Savings last week, the sum of £l7O 18s 3d being deposited. At a special meeting of the Borough Council to-day, Monday, a byelaw for the numbering of .houses and I naming of streets was adopted. The Works Committee’s programme of works for sealing was adopted. The Town Clerk was vested with authority to control water supplies .in. the event of a shortage. The Gael sailed for Okuru and Jackson Ba-v at 10 a.m. on Sunday, and will return to Hokitika on Wednesday to load a further cargo for the same ports. Mr. J. Houston signed off the vessel at Hokitika, while Mr. K. Wells signed on as second engineer, and Mr. J Reeves as A.B. The local trawler’ spent a few hours J in the roadstead on Sunday, having a rough crossing of the bar on the outward trip at low tide. She brought in a fair catch of soles and groper.

The dry weather continues, and todav was very warm. In Kokatahi and Waimea rain fell for a time, but in Hokitika none was experienced. The shortage of water is beginning to affect gardens and farming operations. Farmers have been getting in hav. Some residents maintain that this is the ■> driest spell ) since 1891. Others, are hoping for nain.