HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, September 20. _ Only limited catches of whitebait were made locally to-day, as there was a heavy, sea, but there were good catches in the Arahura River. Yesterday morning and afternoon there were good shoals in the Hokitika River and in Mahinapua Creek. Yesterday buyers dropped their prices to eighteen pence per pint, _ while the shop price was 2s 6d. Residents made many purchases, however, on the river banks. The local factory is ready to begin canning. Yesterday afternoon the first large consignment of whitebait left here by rail for Christchurch, about five and a-half tons. These mostly came from South Westland, with some from here and Mahinapua Creel:. The supplies from South Westland were brought by road to Ross and loaded on the train, while supplies from Paringa River arrived by Diane. Air Travel made three special trips from here to the Paringa River on Wednesday to connect with the overland goods train. The Paringa River appears to be yielding the best results, while the 'Totara River, near Ross, is a good second. It is expected that once pressure in the Hokitika River increases, and the bar straightens out, runs in this river will increase. There is this season a record number engaged in this fishery, exceeding one hundred and fifty in the case alone of the Hokitika River. Dragnets were going on the local wharf till 9 p.m. yesterday. Fish sold at Christchurch on Monday, morning fetched 4s 7d per pound, but the- price has since been falling. While the season lasts, it. means quick money for many in favourable positions, and in South Westland many fishermen will knock up good cheques.. It is anticipated that the season will be a good one. At the Borough Council s ordinary meeting last evening the Mayor. Mr A. R. Flcock, said the National Council for Reclamation of Waste Materials had written complimenting Mr E. W. Green, of the Kanieri Electric Coy.. for his assistance during the war. and he presented Mr Green with the Council’s Certificate of Merit. Mr Green paid a tribute to his helpers, the Boy Scouts and their master, stating 60 tons of waste worth £4OO had been here gathered. The District Public Trustee notified that under the will of the late William Brown, £5OO has been invested in the common fund-of the Euphemia Brown Memorial Fund, the income therefrom to be applied by the Mayor of Hokitika in providing Christmas' cheer or comforts for the poor orphan children, or poor or infirm persons residing in Hokitika, the distribution to be made as the Mavor thinks fit. It was decided to accept the offer of the High School Board to’ lease Sections 7, S, and 9 for 21 years, with right of renewal, the Council to pay the costs incurred. Kanieri Electric Coy. notified it could not reduce the offer for street lighting in the business area. It was decided to take no further action. The Beautifying Society advised they had three dozen pine trees for planting in Cass Square. It asked the Council to prohibit traffic across the Square. It was decided to close the Square gates in Brittain, Stafford, Beale-’ and Weld Streets. It was decided at the instance of Perry and Co. that the pie cart proprietor must move his stand to the opposite side of the street and further away from Perry’s. Nine tenders wore received for the sanitary contract. It was decided to investigate four of the applications. C'r. Peart said there were not holes in the crossings between Ihe railway lines in Weld Street. It was decided to draw these to the attention of the Railway Department. A tender for repairing the Cenotaph memorial at £27 5s was accepted. Cr. Havill advocated erecting public conveniences at the Council Chambers and near the proposed site of a municipal theatre. The Mayor stated an exhibition license had not yet been obtained for the Council in the event of its building a new theatre and hall. On the motion of Cr. Ross, it was decided to apply, for a license, and to seek the .support of the local bodies, Business Men’s Association. Labour Party, and Progress League for a theatre. Cr. Preston said the ”Council should get one of the two licenses at present in use here.