HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 23 March 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] | HOKITIKA, March 22. i The death occurred to-day of an j esteemed pioneer resident, of Hokitika, Mrs Susanna Moore, who came to the district 67 years ago, having arrived in the country in 1861 by the ship “Ivanhoe”. She wa's a native of Ballyhaise, County Cavan, Ireland. She had been connected with the Presbyterian Church, for many years. Her husband predeceased her in 1898. A fall a fortnight ago hastened her death. She is survived by three daughters, Mesdames Doreen and Boyd (Hokitika), and E. Partridge (Dunedin), and two sons, Dr. J. F. C. Moore (Greymouth), and Mr W. Moore (New Flymouth). There are live grand-children, and one great-grand-child. The funeral will take place at Hokitika to-morrow morning. . .. , Mr T. Hill, of Wellington, visited Hokitika to-day. Mr Langford, of the Railway Services, was a visitor to-day. Mr E. Dowell, of Christchurch, is here on a visit. The Borough Council, at its meeting last evening, received from the Deputy Mayor, Cr. C. Caliari. who apologised for unavoidable absence, a request to consider lodging an objection to any further increase in the hospital levy. The Mayor (Mr Elcock), said Mr E. W. Heenan (Chairman of the Board) had been asked to attend the meeting, as they would like information as to why the levy was being increased. Mr Heenan said that in the other districts, hospitals of 44 beds catered for the population, but in Westland it required 72 beds to cater for the same population. Thp cost per head here compared favourably with other institutions of a similar size. The increase of revenue required was in the vicinity of £2OOO. Some of the expenditure was for new equipment, and some for maintenance. Equipment was necessary to meet staffing problems. Many improvements had been effected in the past year, and with new equipment further improvement would be the result. Every effort would be made to keep the levy within the people’s means. There was pressure on the Board to build a' maternity home of 12 beds. There was need of a new isolation ward. The. buildings would increase accommodation at the nurses’ home. The Board’s expenditure would probably run into £30,000. The actual figure would be known when the Board’s architect completed his survey. The buildings would have to be under way the following year. The local bodies would then have to meet the increased costs of these new buildings. In a community like Westland, where there were thousands of acres of Crown lands, and many thousands of acres of poor land at a low value, the rates would become a burden on the county, and beyond the ratepayers of Hokitika. West land under these circumstances was entitled to special assistance. Perhaps the Government might make a decision in this direction in the future. The Council resolved to call a meeting of the local bodies and the Hospital Board on the Wednesday prior to the next County Council meeting. It was decided to nominate Mr D. Pettigrew for the Soil Conservation Board to represent the Boroughs of Hokitika, Ross and Kumara. The Council renewed the sanitary contract lor a further period of 12 months. It was resolved to grant a' reduction to the Returned Services’ Association in the registration fee for their hall, provided the hall was made available for civic functions. Mr John Cameron’s application for a subdivision was consented to. Charleston Advancement League forwarded particulars of a proposed deep sea harbour at Charleston, and asked for support The letter was received. The District Engineer of Railways advised that the Council’s request for warning signals at Park and Tudor Street crossings would receive attention when other crossings of a' more dangerous nature had been attended to. The Automobile Association notified that many complaints were being received liom motorists in regard to poc-holes in streets within the borough, the railway crossing in Weld Street, particulr,riv needing attention. lhe comnlkint was referred to the foreman for immediate attention.