KUMARA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 August 1944, Page 2

KUMARA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent.] Mrs. Whllis of Rotorua. is visiting her, sister, Mrs. F. W. Wise. Patients in hospital from Kumara are Mrs. R. Kerr, Mrs. C. Hines and Mr. J’ohn Neame. While felling a tree in the bush near Gilbert and Tomasi's sawmill, Mr. John Pool, Junr., was struck on the shoulder by a piece of falling limb. He received medical attention, but was able to return to his home.

The parishioners of Holy Trinity Church met on Monday evening in Trinity Hall to honour Miss F. Evenden, who has ’ just completed 30 years as organist, also to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Thwaites and Miss Fay Thwaites. During the evening games were enjoyed. Songs were given by Rev. R. P. Taylor and Mr. Jeff Rose. Rev. Taylor said that the lengthy service which Miss Evenden had given to the work of Holy Trinity Church was a very fine record and he voiced the appreciation of all parishioners. He asked her to accept a gift as a small token of their appreciation. Rev. Childs (vicar of Hokitika), endorsed Mr. Taylor's remarks and made eulogistic reference to Miss Evenden’s services. Mr. C. Evenden, (Vicar’s Warden), also spoke of the good service rendered. Miss Evenden suitably replied. Rev. Taylor expressed regret at the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Thwaites, both of whom had helped very, materially in all matters affecting the welfare and management of church affairs. He asked each to accept a gift from parishioners. Mrs. Rose on behalf .of the Mothers’ Union, also made a presentation to Mrs. Thwaites from fellow members. Mr. andl Mrs. Thwaites both replied. The Vicar said he regretted the need for \ several of the church people having : to leave Kumara. Among them was 1 also Mrs. C. Thorn, but he was sure that they all had the best wishes of their many friends in Kumara.

Some time ago representations were made to the authorities for a 'bus service to take scholars from Kumara, Kumara Railway. Camerons. Gladstone and Faroa daily to school at Greymouth in time for tho opening of school lessons. When this proposal was turned down, the Railway Department was approached for an amended timetable. A lengthy, reply has been received from the Minister of Railways, the latter portion of which reads: —“I fully appreciate the 1 travel difficulties which affect the attendance of pupils at schools, but feel sure you will realise that, in declining to accede to your request, my decision has been made not only with regard to the necessity for maintaining services essential to the needs of the travelling public generally, but also bearing in mind the need for rigid economy being exercised in the conservation of coal supplies. The Hon. J. O’Brien visited Kumara on Monday afternoon, and met a deputation from the Borough Council, consisting of the Mayor (Mr. W. H. G. Stewart) and Councillors W. J. Benyon. G. Malcolmson, J. F. Gilbert, C. E. Evenden and H. Hamer. Mr. Molcolmson gave a full explanation and details of the Borough water supply scheme as far as the work had been done by the previous Council. There were 92 signatures to a petition agreeing to take the water if reticulation of the town were proceeded with. The proposals and plans were fully explained by Mr. J. F. Gilbert, who said that the difficulty was lack of capital. Mr. O’Brien said that borough assets were small and finance needed for the work would have to be raised, and he asked the Council to see what amount could be raised locally to help meet the cost and perhaps a loan could be arranged. Mr. H. Hamer said he had been deputed to bring under the notice of the Minister what appeared to be very unnecessary delay in the mail service, which was not altogether the fault of the Kumara Office. One example was that a letter posted after 2 p.m. on Monday in Greymouth was not delivered in Kumara till Wednesday morning. The delay in the dispatch from Christchurch and .Wellington also appeared to be from the Grey office. Mr. Gilbert said the office hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p..m.. for telephone service held up sawmillers desiring to contact the railway for trucks, etc. Mr. Benyon mentioned a case last Sunday when a doctor was needed. There being no chance of getting a ’phone message through, the patient was moved to hospital. The Minister promised to make enquiries and if possible have improvements affected. Mr. Hamer, on behalf of the School Committee, said that extensions t° the school building to enlarge the infant glass room had been approved by the senior inspector and Education Boards foie-

- man, and also by the Board. A grant for the work would have to come from the Education Department. He asked the Minister to request the Department to treat the matter as urgent and secure the grant, so that tne work could be done during the Xmas and New Year holidays. The Minister promised his support to this request. Messrs Benyon and Evenden asked the Minister to support tne building of Government Houses in Kumara and said that many workers employed locally could not 'live here as there were no houses. The Mayor said that the Borough Endowment of 600 acres had been offered to the Government for a national ‘aerodrome as the Kumara straight was central and on all tlie main highways, north, south, and east. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Minister for his attentive hearing. fn the I'eport of ih? Progress League s meeting one speaker is stated to have ..aid that the Kumara aerodrome scheme had been condemned because - 11 ' -1934. As a matter of fact the whole of th e Kumara dstrict is without fog all the year round, and onl V ° n very rare occasions ffi the past decade has even a light fog been visible. It might be as well tS consult Kumara residents before allowbr?aSt. Unrellable Statements to be