HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent} HOKITIKA, March 23. Mr and Mrs D. P. Stuart returned this morning after attending the wedding of their younger son, SJ-. James J'. Stuart, who is at present on furlough from the Middle East Sgt. Stuart was on March 17, at (he Basilica of the Sacred ?® a f ’ Hill Street, Wellington, married to Miss Sheila Keller, a former wellknown Hokitika resident, the young er daughter ¥ of Mrs and the late Mi W. M. Keller. , _ ..... Miss Gillespie, Matron of Opitiki Hospital, is at present on a visit to Hokiika, and is staying W her brother, Mr F. D. Gillespie. Mr H. C. Peart leaves for Wellington on Saturday. Since publication of the statement in regard to the large pumpkins beino- grown by Mr G. A. Howe, m Hokitika, Mr H. G. Park reports that he has grown a pumpkin weighing 1021bs. All of these large pumpkins are of the ironbark variety. The pumpkin being grown by Mr Howe is still growing and has not been weighed, although a test was taken yesterday and the weight is given as in the vicinity of 701bs. Mr Howe does not intend. to cut his pumpkin until growth is completed. Mr Park has his pumpkin on, view in a shop window and it is a remarkable specimen. He also has six others weighing 40 and 501bs. All were grown on the same vine, as well as two others nearly the same weight- as the largest one. As this present rivalry in pumpkin growing is going to cause some speculation, it is worth recording that the previous record was held by Mr H. J Holley, who grew one weighing SGlbs, although the variety, it-is believed, was not ironbark. Mr Holley took two pumpkins off the one vine, one weighing 861bs and the other 681bs. In the Kokatahi and Koiterangi Valleys some huge pumpkins have been grown in past years, and were exhibited at the winter shows. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Elcock, presided at the meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening, the following members also being present: Crs S. Havill, C. Caliari, W. H. Stopforth, G. Heinz, T. Duff, E. W. Heenan, K. Aitken and L.- S. Ross. In reply to a letter from the Fire Board i’e overcrowding at theatres, it was resolved to advise the board that the request would be noted in the license, and the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade would be given the necessary powers to prevent over-crowding. It was decided to support the Oamaru Borough Council in a protest against transfer of tradesmen to the North Island. The Town Clerk was instructed, to take action to have a partly burnt residence at the corner of Sewell and Tudor Streets removed. Two subdivisions of land were agreed, to. i The Overseer was instructed to have a man-hole of the Bealy Street dr'ain near the Anglican Church secured. A complaint by Mr H. Kortegast in regard to flooding of his property was referred to the Works Committee for immediate attention. It was decided to call tender’s for the pamtjncr of the pavilion at Cass Square, and to have Mr D. Stevenson supervise the work. It. was decided to charge £5 per year for the, supply of water for the D.H. School bath. The clerk reported abattoir fees for last month amounted to £104.-In reply to a question, the clerk said it was not yet possible to ascertain the effect of ’rationing in regard to 1 " 6 fees receivable. A lengthy report by Cr Caliari on the flooding of properties at the top end of the town was received. It was decided to carry out proposed remedial work, and. if this had no effect, to consider a further scheme which involves the co-operation of the Mam Highways Board. The Town Clerk reported that he, would still' have to exercise care in regard to his health, and he asked the council to continue the 'appointment of Mi| Cooper, acting-clerk. A tribute w - as paid to Mr Cooper for the efficient manner in which he had attended to the duties during the Town Clerk’s absence.