HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) HOKITIKA, February 14. Mr.- R. J. Bradley presided ,at the meeting of the Westland County Council, the following members being present: Crs. G. Rowley, T. Brown, E. Cook, P. J. McLean. J. Donovan, S. Clarke, T. Harcourt and M. Wallace, in connection withWhe Regional Plan for the district, tne Council decided to place bridges as No. 1 priority, and each Councillor was empowered to prepare a schedule of necessary works in his respective riding. The Main Highways Board advised that plans were being prepared for a new bridge to replace the Kokatahi bridge and' when the estimates were completed, the County share of the cost would be apportioned. The proposed register of motor drivers was left to the County Clerk to compile. Hawkers’ licenses were fixed at £2 per year. .It was decided to advise in regard to further protection work at Wataroa, that a live to one subsidy be insisted upon. In regard to the application of the Kanieri gold dredge to dredge across the Hou Hou road three times within the next three years, the company offered the Council the sum of £400; as compensation, the company to be under no obligation to replace the road. Mr. Wallace’s suggestion that a meeting of ratepayers consider the offer was agreed to. The Canterbury Automobile Association notified that their representative would place a sign on the road to Pleasant Surprise Point. The Controller of Aviation notified that Jackson Bay aerodrome had been closed as from January 31, 1946, and that air services would terminate at Okuru. R. Black was granted a license to sell vegetables in the County area. Hon. C. F. Skinner forwarded a full explanation in regard to the sale of white pine and the manufacture of butter boxes. He stated that all of the white pine produced on the West Coast would be assured of a ready market. Mr. Brown said that it was necessary to press the need for a box making industry on the West Coast, stating the position as it stood, was anomalous. Mr. Wallace said the South Island factories would’ not be permitted to send boxes to North Island factories, despite the box-making potential of the South Island and that the possibilities of the industry in Westland must be pointed out to the Minister. Messrs Wallace and Brown were empowered to draw up a circular letter to be forwarded to all local bodies and to the Member for the District

It was agreed to remit outstanding payments on the Maori Gold Dredge and claim. The Westland District Progress League wrote expressing thanks to Councillor M. Wallace for the Valuable evidence given at the Rehabilitation meeting in Greymouth. Mr Brown entered a protest against SaFurday closing of the .shops in Hokitika, stating that it affected country residents. Mr. E. Cook strongly supported Mr. Brown, intimating that a great hardship was being placed upon the country people. Special reference 1o the long and loyal service of Cr. James Donovan was made by the Chairman and on behalf of the Councillors, presentea Mr. Donovan with" a travelling bag as a token p£ .tjhelr esteem. Mr. Wallace said he looked on Councillor Donovan as the Father of the Council, and as the “Grand Old Man 7 ’ of Westland. Mr. Donovan suitably replied. Saturday Closing: Al a meeting of the Business Men’s Association, Mr T. Brown, representing the sawmilling section of the community, and a member of the County Council, stated objections held by country people to the closing of shops on Saturday mornings. The shops could be open on Saturday mornings and closed all day Mondays, giving the assistants a long week-end. He said meat used by the sawmillers had to be kept from Thursday night until Monday, when they went to work", and bread had also to he kept until it was as hard as rock. Hawkers would be likely to increase, and also the mail order trade. .Mr A. Hill sympathised with Mr Brown s remarks, but pointed out that the law enforced closing on Saturday mornings. He suggested, supported later by Mr N. Warren, that the question was a matter for the Sawmill Employees’ Association. Progress League: At a well attended meeting, Mr M. B. James, presiding, it was decided to form the Hokitika District-South Westland Progress League, comprising Westland county south of the Taramakau. Apologies for absence were received from the Mayor (Mr A. R. Elcock), Messrs W. H. Stopforrh, and E. W. Heenan. Mr James gave an exposition of the constitution, aims, and activities of a properly organised Progress League, and related the efforts of the Westland District Progress League (Greymouth) to form a branch here. The attendance and results had been disappointing, but the present meeting promised a successful future. He instanced activities in which a League could interest itself—the future of the white pine and butter-box making industries, the bus service to Greymouth conflicting with the train and rail-car service the scenic attractions of the district, and Government housing. A motion by Messrs J. Richards and Wilson to form a League was carried unanimously. Speakers said it would embrace, not only Hokitika, but also its surrounding districts. The chairman suggested that the League be a corporate body giving a much wider scope for its activities and increased strength. An executive council will be formed, of 12 members, and rules are to be drawn up by a sub-commit-tee consisting’of Messrs James. Richards, McDougall, Ross. Blank. Hill and Green. This committee will present the rules for discussion at a meeting to be hold on Thursday week next. Business Men’s Association: At a meeting of the above, Mr A. Hill presided. It was decided to write to the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, South Island Travel Association, Minister of Railways, and head of the Tourist Department, protesting against lack of notice received by hotelkeepers in regard to late arrival of guests, and against Greymouth being wrongfully advertised as the terminus of the Midland line. Mr McDougall moved that a letter be sent lo the Postmaster-General to the effect that, as Hokitika is still the chief town in Westland, the name of Hokilika be placed on the cover of the Telephone Directory, and further that Hokitika should have a chief post of-

lice. This was carried, and it was decided to advise Hon. J. O’Brien. A motion that the School Committee be approached in regard to the possibility of holding a school picnic was carried. It was stated the Government Road Services, having been approached by a representative of the Association, agreed to run a bus service for tourists to local scenic resorts. It was decided' that application be made to the County Council that the area round Pleasant Surprise be declared a scenic resort.