HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 16 December 1943, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, Dec. 15

• Following the destruction by fire of their sawmill at Kawhaka, Maifroy and Co., are adding a second bench to their Turiwhate mill thus maintaining output and also employment for the Kawhana mill staff. The insurance of £lOOO on the Kawhaka mill only covers part of the loss, electric motors and other machinery being exceedingly difficult to secure. It is hoped to maintain supplies at the Turiwhate mill as soon as the second bench is working. Tlie Gael was delayed at Okuru by the change of weather, but is expected back before the end of the week. The rains have done good throughout the district. The following officers have been elected for S't. Mary’s Swimming Club: Patron, Rev. Father Finerty; President, Mr. M. B. James; VicePresidents, Messrs E. L. McKeon, J. Devaney, D. P. Stuart, H. Kortegast, W. H. S'topfbrth, A. Neil, P. R. Quinn, and E. J. Allan: SecretaryTreasurer. Mr. F. Groufsky; Captain and Coach, Mr. R. Quinn; Committee Rev. Father Keane, Messrs D. Ryan, E. P. Keown, and M. Davidson. A ladies’ committee will be formed at next meeting. At the annual school swimming sports the championship winners were:— Junior: Boy, G. Lakin, girl Juliet Freitas; Senior: Boy N. Lyncn, girl Glen Reeves. N. Lynch the senior champion was successful in the 25 and 50 yard races and in diving. Jean Howat won the senior diving for girls. In the breaststroke for girls under 12 years. June James was the winner, with Joyce. Trotter, 2nd. In the bows breaststroke 12 years and over, R. Weibletz was the winner with R. Stuart 2nd. Mr. Evans of the Public Works Department outlined to the County Council yesterday the proposals for Boards to be set up to control erosion, and the areas to be defined. The Council asked Mr. Evans to support their contention that Westland offered problems in river erosion that would justify a' separate Board for the district. It was decided to request that the Westland area start at a line south of tlfe Taarmaka u River. Mr. Evans replied that as there was a' possibility of the Taramakau breaking into the Grey River in its upper reaches, it v/ould be wise to include the Taramakau in the northrn area. It would not be practicable to use that river as a line of demarcation. Messrs A. R. Elcock and R. A. Harcourt waited on the Council to complain as to the erection of four gates on the road at Upper Vine Creek. The Council resolved to postpone consideration until next meeting. Mr. G. Finch waited on the Council complaining of a nuisance caused by wandering cattle. On Mr. Finch giving an undertaking to support the Council with evidence, it was decided to take legal action. Cr. W. H. Jamieson was presented with the Hende Shield for the district making the best effort to raise funds for patriotic purposes. Cr. T. P. O’Neil paid a tribute to Mr. Hende for presenting such a splendid shield to stimulate action in such a worthy cause. Koiterangi District will retain the shield for the present year. The Mines Department acknowledged two samples .of minerals from the Big Wanganui River to be analysed. The Civil Defence Department wrote thanking the Council for interest taken in the E.P.S. and asking for the return of equipment. The Native Affairs Department asked for a report on Greek’s Creek. A report is expected from the Public Works Department in time for the next meeting. Mr. R. Wilson wrote agreeing to procedure to settle matters at Greek’s Creek. Mr. P. Olson requested the Council to settle the boundary at Greek’s Creek. Hon. J. O’Brien advised in regard to protection work at Little Wanganui. The high cost of such protection was not warranted immediately. • Mr. O’Brien notified that he was supporting a request by Mr. L. Gibb for protection at Waiho of the Valley land. Mr. O’Brien advised in regard to a meeting held at Harmari to urge the expansion of the railway into South Westland. Advice has been received that the Minister r»f Public Works was giving coneiderrtion to the declaring of. the bridges over the Waitoto and AraIwata Rb'“rs io h° essential works. Mr. N. Friend. Okarito, wrote objecting to the letting of any portion of th" cemeterw reserve at Okarito. Mr. A. R. Wallis ask°d for consent ,to transport one million feet of ' logs alone the South Waitangi road, also for the road to be metalled, the company offering a royalty .of three pence per 100 feet, with a minimum

payment of £125. The Council decided to ask the Public Works Deportment for a report. The International Harvester Company advised that road grading machinery should be available next year; Mr. E. T. Stoop was appointed mining valuer. It was decided to ask the Commissioner .of Crown Lands to have the area set apart as a cemetery reserve on the North Okarito vested in the County Council. The Inspector of Health reported on 29 visits to premises in the County. Messrs Stuart and Chapman were given authority to cross Kakapotahi bridge with their trajnway, for a period of five years.