HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, Feb. 18. Mr. A. Cutbush, .of Wellington, who has been on a visit to his brother, returned to Wellington yesterday. As a result of the good crops of blackberries on the Coast, pickers have been very active indeed, the tins of fruit awaiting dispatch at the railway station recalling those in the whitebait season. Every day quantities arg railed to Christchurch while local buyers are also securing good quantities. The fruit is in excellent condition and with high prices ruling for other fruits, is more popular than ever. Blackberry jam will be plentiful in mose homes this year.

Mr. W. Searle of Harihari who has been in Westland Hospital returned | to his home yesterday. At a meeting of the School Com- ! mittee, Mr. A. C. Armstrong occupied the chair. It was decided to abandon the annual ‘school picnic owing to travel restrictions. The trustees of the swimming fund were authorised to hand to the Canterbury Education Board funds collected for the building of the baths. The Home Guard forwarded two' medicine bale’s for use in the school. The Rector (Mr. Stevens) mentioned that many pupils patronised cake shops at lunch hour, making their dinner of pies, cool drinks, cakes, etc. During winter months a cup of cocoa was available for the children, he stated. Stating that the success of the pupils in the University entrance examination was a tribute to the work of the teachers as well as the pupils, the committee resolved to forward a 1 letter of congratulation to the Rector and staff. The school roll is; Primary, 288; secondary 112. The Coroner, Mr. A. E. Benjamin, conducted an inquiry into the death of a female patient at the Sea View Mental Hospital on February 14. Dr. T. W. Childs, Medical Superintendent, said that everything possible had been done to save the patient’s life, but artificial respiration was unsuccessful. The patient had been regarded as of a suicidal nature. Nurse Hunter had whistled for assistance, but was not answered, as owing to the shortage of staff at the insitution, no nurse was working near enough to hear. Nurse Hunter said she had commenced duty at 7 a.m. and the deceased patient’s room was the ; first to be inspected. She saw the deceased hanging but could not release her as the cord was too high for her to undo. She took as much of the patient’s weight as possible, and blew her whistle for assistance. When the call was not answered she ran t.o 'the matron's office. She met Nurse Bates and returned immediately to the patient’s room, where, together they released the body. Nurse Bates immediately commenced measures for respiration. Nurse Bates said that only 15 minutes had elapsed from the time she saw the patient in her room until she was called to release her. The Coroner returned a verdict that the patient met her death, by hanging, naving committed suicide. Heavy rain continued yesterday,, but fears of.flooding were not felt as the previous inundation had flushed the drains, while the river has less of an obstacle at the bar. The local trawler, which was beached on Monday, remained fast, but it was hoped that the flood would enable her to be refloated.

The Mayor, Mr. A. R. Elcock, some days ago wrote to Hon. J. O’Brien, asking information as to when erection of a new post office would commence here, it being considered that, as a sum of £30,000 had been placed on the estimates, the powers that be had called a h&lt. It is probable that unless a favourable reply is received, there will be a case for a meeting of citizens to ask the Government for a definite statement as to when the work will commence. It is considered that the present post office is not a good advertisement for Hokitika, as being the capital of Westland, being old, inconvenient and dilapidated. There were about forty members present at the initial meeting of the local Revue Company, which hopes to produce two revues this year, and has placed its scenery and fittings under overhaul.