HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 July 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

HOKITIKA, June 30

The Gael sailed for Okuru and Jackson Bay yesterday with general cargo, also stores and equipment for the Public Works Department. Mr. J. Hewer signed off the Gael at Hokitika to join the armed forces, and Mr. J. Connor of Hokitika signed on. On Wednesday evening there was a civic welcome to the soldiers who have recently returned from overseas Messrs A. R. Elcock (Mayor), J. Bradley (Westland County Council), W- M. Fraser (R.S.A.), and J. Tainui (Maori representative) gave addresses and the Band played a programme. Items were given by members of the Revue Society, and supper was served by lady members of the R.S.A. The welcome was followed by a dance.

Basketball matches to-morrow will be: Old Girls v. St. Pats (Miss Duff); Convent A v. School A (Miss Roberts); St. Andrews v. Victorians (Miss Ellis); School B v. St. Mary’s (Miss Thompson); Convent Bv. Hospital (Miss McCormack).

The senior football match here tomorrow will be between Hokitika ana Blaketown. Excelsior thirds play at Ross.

Mr. O. J. Hutchison presided at an executive meeting of the R.S.A. ovei a good attendance. It was reported that a petition was being circulated, asking for the release of 700 conscientious objectors, and stating the detention camps were similar to the Nazi concentration camps, and that the defaulters should be released for useful work at soldier’s rate of pay. If the men were not performing useful work if was the fault of the powers that be. The meeting resolved to express strong disapproval of the circulation of the petition, and to send a copy to the delegate in Wellington attend’ng the R.S.A. conference to have the matter brought before the conference