HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1945, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, November 23. Mr A< R. Elcock, Mayor of Hokitika, returned on Thursday evening from Wellington. Mr A. Neil is at present at Waiho Gorge. . On Thursday, heavy ram set m, and the river was in high flood. The tidal guage recorded 11 feet 6 inches, and the fresh was running at eight knots. Whitebait trenches were washed out, but no other damage was reported. Shipping in the port is at a standstill, but the conditions should moderate sufficiently to permit the Gael to sail at noon on Saturday. Heavy seas raked the concrete embankment at the southern end of the Hokitika aerodrome at high tide on Thursday and Friday. The flood scoured away the . sand bank at the entrance to the river, and the seas roll up the entrance and crash along lhe aerodrome embankment. On her trials following the installation of her new engine, the Gael recorded ,a speed of 9 1-3 miles per hour. She behaved splendidly on the bar, and the new engine with the reduction drive is apparently x very suitable for bar work. • The Deputv-Mayor, Mr C. Calarai, presided at the monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council. Complaints were received that while carriages were being washed in the station vard, Hampden Street crossing was blocked to all traffic, causing inconvenience to business firms in the northern end of the town. 'Weld Street crossing was also a continual source of trouble and delay. The Town Clerk was instructed lo write the Railways Department, in regard to this matter. It was decided to rigidly enforce the grazing restrictions within the borough. Following a number of complaints, it was decided to stop the removing of sand from the beach near the business area. No tenders were received for the painting of the pavilion in Cass Square and fresh tenders will be called in January. It was decided to join with the Greymouth Harbour Board in tendering a dinner to the Hon. J. O’Brien, in appreciation of his services to the electorate. It was decided to inform the Hokitika Fire Board that the by-law requesting concrete or brick walls or fire breaks in all new buildings in the business area of the town would receive early attention. The Canterbury Education Board advised that the recent drive for clothes conducted by the schools throughout the district had been a magnificent success. and they desired that the organisations responsible for the repairing and packing be specially thanked for their help and readj' assistance. Mr E. W. Heenan waited on the Council in regard to the formation of a West Coast Power Board and the amalgamation of the existing authorities within the area. The Mayor and Mr Pettigrew were appointed to interview the local Power Supply Authority on the matter.