HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1946, Page 8

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, Jan. 29. A large number of friends gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs T. M. Haddock last Thursday night when their son, Desmond, recently returned from overseas,. was welcomed home. Mr M. Davidson welcomed the guest of the evening, also his two brothers, who had recently returned. Mr Desmond Haddock and his father suitably replied. A toast to absent and fallen comrades was proposed by Messrs S'. Muir and C. Haddock. Mr W. Muir led the -community singing with his guitar, and a very pleasant evening was concluded by the singing of Auld Lang Syne. T/Sgt. W. G. Veale has recently returned to Hokitika from overseas.

Mr R. Fleming, Revel Street, has received official advice that his son, Cpl. Bruce Fleming, will be arriving by the “Orlon.” due in New Zealand on February 2. A very pleasant evening was spent at the home of Mr and Mrs Tainui, senr., when the Maori people and their Pakeha friends assembled to welcome home Lt. A. H. Tainui. The chairman of the runanga, Mr Ihia Webb, welcomed visitors from all parts of the West Coast, including ivir Elcock, M.8.E., Mayor of Hokitika; Mr Fraser, President of the Hokitika R.S.A.; Mr Robert Bradley, Chairman of the Westland County Council, and Mrs Bradley; Mr B. Clark, Postmaster of Kumara, and Mrs Clark; and Captain Pohla and his sister, of Christchurch. Mr Girling Butcher, Chief Inspector of Fire Brigades for New Zealand, was met by members of the Fire Board and officers of the Fire Brigade, when he visited Hokitika on a tour of inspection. The new station and engine were discussed and the inspector said that the new station was long overdue and should be erected as soon as possible. The board and brigade members were advised, not to purchase a new engine at present, but to ' wait until the latest models came on to the market. In the meantime the truck on loan to the brigade would serve the purpose. Cobden beat Hokitika in the bowling tournament held at Hokitika over the week-end by 168 games to 149. The green was fast and in excellent order. A strong wind made play difficult at times. A representative gathering of members and citizens met at the local racecourse to make an inspection of the various urgent repairs and essential work for the coming meeting in February. It was decided to hold over all major works. Immediate improvements are to be made to the tea-rooms, while tentative plans were discussed for the erection of accommodation for visiting horses. The track had had over two tons of lime applied during the pas.'; two weeks and was in excellent order. Mr T. Staines, junr., was appointed caretaker and will supervise till outside work, while repairs and catpantering will be in the hands of Mr J. McFarlane.