HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1944, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. HOKITIKA, September 20. A pretty wedding took place at the All Saints’ Church to-day, that of Miss Worthington and Mr S'tan Dale. The bride was a member of the staff of the Westland Hospital, having been Sister in charge of the Manson Ward, while the bridegroom is a soldier recently returned from the Middle East. At the church members of the nursing staff of the Hospital formed a guard of honour. It is understood that a number of bores will be put down in the vicinity of Ross as a test for possible oil deposits. The first will be sunk at the T'otara. The plant will be a modern one, and a thorough test of the area will be made. The construction of the gold dredge at the Mikonui River, below Ross, which was stopped on account of the war, will probably be resumed as soon as conditions permit. A large quantity of the material was taken for war purposes. Dr and Mrs Andrea leave Hokitika to-morrow for Greymouth, where I they will in future reside. The Gael sailed at noon yesterday for Wellington with timber. She is due back next week. Owing to scarcity of whitebait, the price locallj' has advanced, while it is reported to be 6s per pint at Christchurch. The Golf Club’s No. 5 medal matcn resulted: —Harper, 89—17—72, Tomlinson. 86—11—75, Mclntyre 90—15— 75 Chesney, 85 —9—76, Neil, 96—20 — 76. Gillespie, 82—5—77, Kortegast, 97 _19 —78, Ecclesfield, 92—14 —78, James, 94—15—79. Members of the Westland Progress League came from Greymouth last evening to address a public meeting here, called by the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock) in order to secure Hokitika’s support for the organisation. They were Messrs W. D. Taylor (President), J. Saunders (Secretary), F. Chivers, V. Bergamini and D. Mclvor (Organised). The Deputy-Mayor, Cr. C. Callari, presided, and introduced the visitors. Mr Taylor said they wished to interest Hokitika people in the League, considering it best for the district to have one. league with the backing of all localities. If Hokitika people gave their support, a sub-branch would be formed here, while there would be Hokitika representation on all committees set up. On behalf of the Hokitika Business Men’s Association, the chairman, Mr W. H. Stopforth. and secretary, Mr J. Richards, addressed the meeting, requesting that a decision should be held over for the meantime. A move was being made to revive the Hokitika Progress League, amalgamating with it the Hokitika Business Men’s Association and affiliating with the Canterbury Progress League. A reply was now being awaited from the Canterbury Progress League. The Mayor, Mr Elcock, had been advised of the undertaking, and it might be in the best interests of Hokitika to await an opportunity for the Mayor to be present. Messrs B. James and E. W. Heenan said they were in favour of linking with the Westland League rather than the Canterbury Leanne. Thev pointed out that the Mayor had called the meeting, and was fully conversant with the object of it. As the chief citizen he would certainly favour linking up with the Westland League rather than the Canterbury League. Mr Heenan said the South Island Local Bodies Executive wa's set up to tackle larger problems as they affected the South Island. The Westland District Progress League had as its aims and objects the advancement of the Westland district, and to increase its production in every way. With the whole of the district being one big league, pressure could be brought to bear on the Government. After the other members of the League had addressed the meeting, Mr James moved and Mr Heenan seconded: That this meeting of citizens of Hokitika urge the people to join the Westland District Progress League. The motion was carried. The chairman, stated that the Business Men’s Association would in the meantime attend to secretarial duties. The League members expressed their thanks to the chairman for presiding, and for the interest taken -in the proceedings by the business men and other citizens. It is understood that a further meeting will be called in a short time to. make necessary arrangements for linking tip- -