WATAROA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1945, Page 6

WATAROA NOTES

fOur Own Correspondent] Mrs. Harry .Wilkins nas returnee! to Wataroa witn tier young daughter. •Mr. Josepii Byrne, proprietor oi tbe Wataroa Hotel, who is a patient in the .Westland Hospital, is maxing a good recovery. Mr. George Thompson who has been a patient in tne Westland Hospital ror some weeks is maxing a good recovery, and expects to be uiscnarged snortly. Miss Minehan, Blue Mountains, Western Australia, who is now nursing at Lewisham Hospital, Chris ieburen, is visiting ner aunt, Mrs. •James Nolan. Mr. G. K. Northcroft who has been a patient in the Westland Hospital has been discharged, and has returned to his farm at Wataroa. Mr. Northcroft who is a member of tne Westland Hospital Board, looked quite bright and cheery after his stay in hospital. Air. Thompson, who is approaching the century mark is still active. He can relate many trying and amusing incidents of the early days, when the pioneers had to carry heavy swags over the hills in search, of gold. Rev. Father Quinn, accompanied •by Mr. J. Mulcare, Ngahere. paid a brief visit to Wataroa during the week. Mr. Brooks, who has been doing plumbing work in the district has returned to his home in Hokitika. Despite his advancing years, Air. Brooks is still able to do a good day’s work, and enjoys a sojurn in tne country. Miss L. Fowler, Hokitika, is spending a holiday here as the guest of her sister, Mrs. Stevens. It is now known that a sawmilling firm from the North Island, are endeavouring to acquire a sawmilling area near Okarito. The harbour at present is in excellent order, and could be worked daily if ships were available. Mr. & Mrs. Bert Searle, Hari Hari, were recent visitors to Wataroa. Last week’s weather was of a mild nature, and a good deal of sunshine was experienced in the South Westland area. The new deviation road at Parker’s Creek near Wataroa, is .proving a big problem to the Public Works Deparment. The large bulldozer employed on this job, is in the capable hands of Mr. W - . Pertegell, who is an expect on that particular class of work. After recent heavy rains, several patches of gold have been washed down the Wataroa River. One old digger obtained 21 dwts. in half a day. The euchre and dance held in the sawmill hall in aid of the piano fund, was well attended, visitors being present from as far north as Greymouth. Mrs. Fitzgerald won the ladies’ prize at the euchre and Mr. Thomas Nolan, the gent’s. A dainty supper was provided by the ladies, and music was supplied by Airs. Lumsden, Miss June Adamson, Messrs C. Donnelly, Vincent, Nolan, and R. Stevens. Mrs. W. Adamson and Mr. Nolan won the Monte Carlo, while Miss Vincent (Greymouth) contributed vocal items. The committee have decided to hold these functions fortnightly during the winter months.