HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 August 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, August 23. The Gael is expected at Hokitika tomorrow with cement from Tarakohe, and will load for southern ports. Good catches of whitebait were secured at the mouth of the Hokitika River, and' in the upper reaches of Mahinapua Creek on Tuesday night and again on yesterday morning’s tide. The Inspector of Fisheries visited Hokitika recently, and made a survey of all rivers in the .Westland district. He was of the opinion that the season would be a very early one, and that some good runs should take place at an early ' date. Apparently the Inspector’s survey was a very thorough one, as already some good hauls are being secured. A record number of fishermen and women will operate throughout the district this season, and if the season carries on, it should mean a big help to the district. A good season brings thousands of pounds to the fishermen. Factories will operate at Bruce Bay, Okuru and Hokitika, and large supplies of whitebail will be consigned to the Christchurch, Dunedin, and Wellington markets. Fishermen will be hampered at Hokitika by the lack of freezer accommodation, as during mid-season, with the warmer weather, it is difficult to keep the fish in a cool condition.. The Fisheries Department could provide real assistance to fishermen by building a cool store at Hokitika and making freezer accommodation available to the fishermen at reasonable rental Mr A. C. Armstrong presided at a meeting of the Borough Council last evening. The offer of Kanieri Sawmills to pay a water fee of £5 was agreed to. Gold Band Taxis were granted the right to a taxi stand in Weld Street. Campbell and Morrison, consulting engineers, wrote agreeing to supply plans and specifications for the removal of the pipe line from Lake Kanieri to the Hokitika reservoir. The Council decided to go ahead with the preliminary preparations and to advise the firm when they were ready to proceed. The Housing Department notified the taking over of Municipal Reserve, also freehold sections in Rolleston and Davie Streets. The Hospital Board notified the amount of levy for the year, an increase of £384 3s Id. The Harbour Board rating resolution for the year was received. It was decided to call fresh tenders for night soil removal, as that received was three times, as large as the previous contract price. The Council decided to notify the Kanieri Electric Coy. that the extra cost for street lighting was considered excessive, and to seek a reduction. The Business Men’s Association advised that the test lighting was an improvement, but not satisfactory’. The tender of H. A. Thompson, Ltd., for re-lettering the names on the Cenotaph and other memorials was accepted. The repairing and reconditioning of the swimming baths was held over until next season. Mr H C Peart presided at a meeting of the Free Library Committee. It was decided to rent the books from the reference room to authorised members. It was reported that the Country Library van had deposited a fresh supply of books on July 12. It was decided to defer consideration oi the loan collection. After a discussion on matters affecting the library the meeting ended. The trout fishing season opens in Westland on September 1.