HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 July 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Qur Own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, July 19. Mr. E. T. Stoop has been appointed to represent the Westland County Council on the High School Board. Mr. A. C. Armstrong, a member oi the Borough Council, and Chairman of the School Committee, has geen appointed to represent the Hokitma Borough Council on the High School Board. Mr. W. H. Shannon is the representative of the Canterbury Education Board, and Mr. H. G. W. Park nas been appointed ' Secretary . to tne Board following the resignation oi Mr. E. T. Stoop. The m.v. Gael is still detained at the port of Okuru. in South Westland. There is insufficient water on the bar to permit the vessel to get out, and it is thought that the Gael will be unable to leave until the spring tides, about Tuesday or Wednesday. The large fish washed ashore at Hokitika beach on Wednesday morning, and thought to be a frost fish, appears to have been a ribbon fish. Mr Howe, a local authority, had no hesitation in declaring it to be a ribbon fish, when it wag described to him. Mr. Howe mentioned that it was a pity the fish was so hurriedly disposed of, as from the measurements. it was a splendid specimen, and the Museum authorities m Christchurch would have been interested. However when the photographs are forwarded to Christchurch Museum, the species will definitely be established. During the past few months, big changes have taken place in the Hokitika River. The town side, from the railway bridge upstream, nas silted, and at low tide there is only 18 inches of water above the bridge, while on the other side there is ten feet. Portions of an old wharf which was on the southern bank of tne river in the early days, is now in mid-stream. The fishing launch, owned by the late Mr. J. Cuttance, which sank at her moorings, opposite the Post Office, is now plainly visible at low tide. Below the railway bridge the saild spit continues tor a distance of five chains from tne bridge, and the water is very shallow. Along the rock protection work there is a good depth of water, and scouring is still taking place along the main wharf. At the lower end of the wharf, scouring is severe, and the whole bank is gradually slipping into the river. The roadway nas sunk in some places up to eighteen inches, and shows signs of becoming serious. , r On Wednesday evening Messrs M. Houston and E. W. Heenan, representing the Hokitika Baths Committee. waited on the Borough Council for assistance to carry out necessary repairs to the swimming baths. Mr. Houston said the baths required a three-inch plaster coating on tne floor, and also a layer of reinforcing, the sides required two coats of piaster. Mr. Porter of Greymouth, Ifcid made an inspection of the baths, and his recommendations were placed before the Council by Mr. Heenan. Messrs Sto.pforth and Roberts gave full support to the proposals. Tne Mayor (Mr. Elcock}, said the baths Committee were to be congratulated for their efficient management, and the Council would give the proposal it fullest support. Football fixtures in Hokitika on Saturday are:—Senior Grade: StMary’s v. Kiwi-Excelsior, at 2.45, No. 1 ground. Third Grade: School v. Excelsior, at 1.30 p.m.