HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1945, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

HOKITIKA, September, 7. The Fire Brigade held their annual bail at the Soldiers’ Hall on Wcdnesday evening. Miss Betty Delbricige was adjudged Belle of the ball. Mi' Liddicoat and partner won a waltzing competition, and received a silver cup. Yesterday afternoon eleven servicemen returned to Hokitika, and were accorded a reception by the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock), and the R.S.A. president (Mr Fraser), and a large gathering of people. Dissatisfaction was expressed that the men, who arrived at Greymouth by rail-car at 2.47, were asked to wait until 4.45 to travel the remaining 24 miles here. The Mayor dispatched the following telegram to the Minister of Defence:— “Eleven returning men arriving at Greymouth at 2.57 on a special railcar were delayed there till 4.45 to await the express arriving at Hokitika at 6 o’clock. Consider men entitled to have the rail-car run the extra 24 miles to Hokitika or Railway Road Service bus supplied”. The Minister replied as follows: “In reply to your telegram of the 4th : If Hokitika narty required to wait in Greymouth overnight, I would gladly make the arrangements you suggest, but as they will onlq have a short delay in Greymouth, and with the • necessity for ’ conserving transport, a special rail-car or bus appears unwarranted, and I would ask that you and Mr Fraser a’ccept the present arrangement”. The Hokitika committee subsequently arranged for a Road Service bus to pick the men up, and they were brought on to Hokitika immediately) on arrival of the rail-car. Last evening Mr W. D. Taylor (president of the Westland District Progress League), with other executive members, visited Hokitika to meet those interested in furthering the League. The Mayor, Mr A. R. Elcock, presided, and there was a representative gathering. The Mayor intimated he had called the meeting in response to a request from the League. Mr Taylor said most people knew of the activities of the League to further the interest of Westland. In a few years the timber and coal resources would be nearing an end. It behoved the people to set about getting new industries started. Secondary industiies were needed. New lands should be brought into production. The Coast could not afford to permit its youth to leave because of the lack of opportunity. The League was out to fostei industry so that the youth would have ample opportunities. The Coast had the potentialities to be opened up. Mr J. Saunders gave figures of the timber coal and gold exported from the Coast, and said meagre sums were expended on the Coast in comparison. Mr J. Richards asked if the Rehabilitation conference was to be* held in Grey mouth next, would not the committees overlap? Mr Taylor replied that they would mostly be Government ones. Mr J. M. Bunt said the League could be of immense value to the Coast. Mr Richards asked il Hokitika could have its own League. Mr Taylor said it could, but they were of opinion that one League with executive committees for Hokitika, Kumara, Ross and other parts coutd advance the district to a greatci extent than a multiplicity of Leagues. Mr b’C'allaghan was of opinion that a separate League would be best for Hokitika, although he did not. wish to become parochial. That was his experience in other parts. Mr M. 13. James supported a combined ellort. The town'had a Rotary Club, a Business Men’s Association, and . many other organisations, but the League could advance the district to a tar treater extent. Mr E. W. Heenan held ft would be in the best interests of the Coast if they joined in with the League. Over a long period a feud had gone on between Hokitika and Greymouth. It had to -be admitted that Greymouth prospered: those responsible for the local effort had, forged an iron band around Hokitika. If the people were not wide awake, prosperity would by-pass the town. There were many problems, one of the chief being electricity. Cheap power and light and heating muse be made available. Rural areas must have a good supply at • reasonable charges. Mr Peart would like, to see the League get out a booklet illustrative of the Coast. This t'ould create interest throughout the country; Mr James moved that a branch of the League be formed, and have direct representatives on the District Com-, mittee. This was seconded by Mr Heenan. Mr Richards moved that a League be formed in Hokitika. The motion was carried, with some dissenting. Mr Taylor expressed thanks Cor the co-operation offered, and assured those present that all would work for the good of the district, and not for any particular section, the Mayor expressed thanks to the visitors from Greymouth.