HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1945, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

fOur Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, June 17. Senior Sergeant W. Brown, who leaves at the end of the month on transfer to New Plymouth, was on Saturday evening farewelled at the Soldiers’ Hall, where the members of the police force and. the citizens, tendered him presentations. Mr G. Bryant presided’ and a large .gathering included the Mayor, Mr A. R. Elcock, Police Inspector G. H. Lambert (Greymouth) and police officers from other localities. Various speakers paid high tributes to the guest of the evening, and a very enjoyable evening was spent by all present. Last evening Messrs F. Williams (president) and J. McNulty (secretary) of the West Coast Council of Sport addressed a gathering of representatives of sporting bodies here, outlining the objects and procedure for affiliation with the council. It was decided on the motion of Mr W. Dini that the council be asked to permit sporting bodies within the Westland district to direct representation on the council, and if this was conceded, the sporting bodies of the district confer with their respective members with a view to affiliation.

Members of the Greymouth Labour Party and West Coast Labour Representation Committee held a meeting with the Hokitika Labour Party at the County chambers at the weekend. The president of the Hokitika branch, Mr T. N. Warren, extended a welcome ■ to the visitors, and trusted this would be the beginning of future mutual visits, as ma*y matters for the advancement of Labour in Westland could be discussed. He stressed the necessity for energetic organisation, as the enemies of Labour and the big banking interests were already at work. Mi' Green occupied the chair when the meeting commenced, and matters relating to local body affairs were discussed and settled to the satisfaction of both branches. Mr W. Toohey (Dredgeworkers’ Union) spoke of the necessity of a more intensive drive for membership as the timber and dredge workers’ organisations were not yet affiliated with the Party. Mr M. Moynihan (president of the Sea View Mental Hospital Employees’ Union) said that nearly all the members had joined up with the Labour Party. He complained of the deferring of consent of the Labour Department to the registration of the Union. The meeting resolved to support the Union’s claim for registration. The question of the extension of the jurisdiction of the Grey Power Board to cover Hokitika and the country districts was brought forward It was mentioned that Greymouth residents were paying 5d per unit for lighting as against Hokitika’s 6d, even after allowing for discount. One speaker said that no matter what progress the rest of New Zealand made in regard to electric reticulation and supply, there was no chance of reduction in Hokitika, as the supply was from a private company. The only hope would be for the extension of the Grey Power Board area to the whole of the Westland district, including the interior boroughs with the one power Board operating over the whole territory. Benefits at present enjoyed by Greymouth would be shared by the people of Westland. Mr J. B. Kent (who is a member of the Grey Power Board) explained the position as it affected the local branch. The local members resolved to proceed with an agitation for a local supply that would be to the benefit of the people rather .than to private enterprise. Mr R W. Heenan (chairman of Westland Hospital Board) gave an explanation of medical services operating in the district, and spcnce of the necessity to retain the services of Di - E. J. Velvin, whom the Army desired called up for service. The meeting «ave its unanimous support to those who were conducting the campaign to retain Dr Velvin. The Hokitika branch agreed to co-operate with the L.R.C. and Greymouth branch m bringing speakers to address meetings throughout the West Coast. It was unanimously agreed that Miss M B Howard, M.P. be invited to visit the West Coast at an early date. A motion expressing sympathy with the Hon. F. C. Webb in his illness and best wishes for a speedy recovery was carried. After extending congratulations to the. Hon. P. Frasei, Prime Minister, on his work at the United Nations conference, a vote of thanks to the chair concluded one ol the most successful Labour conferences held here for many years.