HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our' Own Correspondent; HOKITIKA, May 1. Both in town and country, interest • promises to be keener this year in the local elections than formerly. Bor the Hokitika Borough Council and the < Westland Hospital Board new aspirants are reported. It is understood that Mr. A. R. Elcock will again be a candidate for the Mayoralty. No other candidate for that office has yet been mentioned. Nominations for the Westland County ' Council close .on May 15. There appears to be widespread interest in the elections. In South Westland new candidates will be offering. In the Central Riaing, embracing Kanieri, Kokatahi and | Koiterangi,' interest also appeal’s to be keen. The Southern Riding returns four members, the Central . Riding three, and the Northern Riding two. , , n Last week the skinned carcase of a seal was washed ashore on the north beach at Hokitika. The skinning had been done by one who apparently knew how to do the job, the skin having been taken from the neck, and clear of the flaps, leaving the head and body. The drift has been strong from the south during the past two weeks, and it would appear that the seal came from one of the rookeries in the far south of the island, although it is possible that the animal had been washed ashore pn one of the adjacent beaches and skinned nearby. Isolated seals have been seen on the nearby beaches from time to time. To increase the town water supply, the Borough Council is having a well sunk around the six-inch pipes through which the water is pumped. | The pumping plant during the past few months has given some trouble, 'and the well is designed to eliminate 1 this. 1 The beach during the past few days has built up between the river entrance and Gibson Quay, and with a continuance of southerly weather, a further improvement should take place. Repairs to the stop bank at the aerodrome are being made by the Public Works Department staff. The fact of the bar running straight out to sea may mean a continuance of trouble there, as the seas have an uninterrupted run up to the stop bank. The Gael arrived this evening from Greymouth, where she had put in for shelter. On discharging cement she will load timber for Wellington, and is to sail at five o'clock to-morrow afternoon. At the annual meeting of the Fire Board there were present Messrs A. R. Elcock (Chairman), T. W. Duff and A. H. Lawn. Fire Superintendent L. L. Ross was also present. Accounts totalling £l2O 10s 6d were passed for payment. The estimates, as amended, were approved and will be forwarded for Ministerial sanction. They do not increase the levy on local bodies. The Secretary reported I that up till the present plans fox- a I new fire station could not be located. It was decided that if they could not I be recovered, Mr. Williamson be asked to confer with the Board and Superintendent and have new plans drawn for submission to the Governyeax’ six alarms had been received. The trailer pump and one thousand ment Loans Board for approval. The Superintendent reported that fox - the feet of new hose had arrived. The pump had proved very satisfactory in trials from the river and the mains. It was decided to agree to a request by the Superintendent to allocate a spare telephone to a fireman living adjacent to one of the subsidary alarm stations, and to' make a payment of £3O for the care and maintenance of gear and equipment. The Superintendent said that with ten members of the Brigade linked by there was an excellent safeguard in the event of stormy weather’ and firemen in the outlying areas not hearing the bell. The wish was expressed for the speedy recovery of Fireman FI McMullan at present a patient m the Westland Hospital. The Borough Council forwarded authority' for the Superintendent to control theatres. Mr. Elcock thanked the members for 'their loyal support during his term of ten years as Chairman, also the Superintendent and members of the Brigade. He felt that the position of Chairman should go round. • and did not desire again to be a candidate for the office. He proposed Mr. T. W. Duff as Chairman, Mr. Lawn sec- ( onded the motion, and Mr. Duff was elected Mr. Duff, returning thanks, said he would be always willing to do all possible for the Board, and the Fire Brigade, especially to' expedite the building of a new fire station, and the provision of a new 'engine and fire fighting equipment. Mr. Lawn and the Chairman paid a j tribute to the retiring Chairman, Mr.

Elcock. with whom it had been • pleasure to work. The past five years had been difficult, and it haa Been necessary to shelve the builain o of a fire station owing to ; war demands o n essential materials. As me position had altered a little, it was hoped to make, some progress, ana the Board would have the< <?q-opexa-tion of Mi? Elcock, when the time arrived to go right ahead. The Mobile Health exhibit will open at the Soldiers’ Hall to-morrow night, •when an address will be given by the Mayor, Mr. Elcock. ' Dr. Simpson and Miss Frengley were in Hokitika to-day to arrange for the exhibition.