HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1946, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) The Businessmen’s Association proposes to change its name to that of Hokitika Chamber of Commerce, and to join the N.Z. Association. Mr W. H. Stopforth was-appointed representative on the Progress League. It was decided to hold a late night on Thursday, April 18, till 9 o’clock, and to close on Easter Monday. The recent heavy rain washed out part of the water supply line from Lake Kanieri to Hokitika, and the town had to rely on its pumping plant. Sea View Mental Hospital has two pumping units, but the motor of one pump burnt out, while the barrel of the other had corroded and broke down, leaving the institution dependent on the town. The mental hospital had to seek the assistance of the fire brigade, whose trailer pump soon tilled the reservoir and supply mains. Westland Hospital has its own pumping plant. Repairs to the supply line ure estimated to take some days. The Council hopes to instal a bigger supply line from Lake Kanieri to the reservoir, and the line is being surveyed at present. At a meeting of the Fire B.oard, the Commissioner of Crown Lands advised that the board’s application for a -freehold title to the section in Hamilton Street for a new tire station, had been approved. The matter of dealing with fires in country areas was held over. The superintendent stated that at the Red Lion Hotel lire last November, it was not until the trailer pump was brought into use that the fire was got under control. At the Dianne Studios a fire on February 22, was under control before the .'brigade arrived. It. was decided to congratulate the brigade on its success at the New Zealand demonstration, Secretary Butland winning the one-man coupling event, and the full team had secured second place in both the ladder and hose events. The brigade extended its sympathy to the board’s chairman. Mr T. W. Duff, and the Government member, Mr A. H. Lawn, and wished them a speedy return to god health. It was stated the Loans Board would be asked this month fol’ authority to borrow and it was expected to call tenders next month for a new fire station. It was decided to purchase an army towing vehicle, the secretary being instructed to contact the chief inspector, and if a vehicle was available to complete the purchase. The secretary (Mr E. W. Heenan) said the estimates provided for repayment of a loan of £5OOO to build the new fire station. It would not be necessary to increase the levies. The board had £643 13s 7d on deposit with the National Bank of New Zealand, and accrued interest of £2'4 4s 2d, £lOO in the Liberty Loan, £477 7s lOd in the National Savings account, and £314 4s 8d in the Hokitika Savings Bank, a total of £1559 10s 3d. The credit in the current account was £67 9s 7d. It was decided to make an inspection of the truck and equipment on loan from Wellington, and to offer the manual pumps to Booth Macdonald ond Co., Christchurch. Mr H. C. Peart was appointed deputy-chairman during the absence of Mr T. W. Duff.

Four nurses of Westland Hospital who recently graduated were entertained by the Matron, Miss Ramsay, and the graduation medals were presented by the chairman of the Board, Mr E. W. Heenan, on Thursday evening. There were also present Mrs Harrison and Mr G. Northcroft (members of the Board), the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. R. Elcock), Dr. E. J. Velvin and Mrs Velvin, Mrs I. M. Perry, Mis's Perry, Miss A. F. Duff, Mr and Mrs H. Brown, and Mrs , Neilsen. The recipients of graduation medals were Nurses Jenkins, Childs and Neilsen. Nurse Campbell, who also graduated, was unavoidably absent. The chairman said their success had meant the end of four years of hard study, and besides the hard and long hours of study the nurses had carried '■ out their routine nursing duties, and during staff shortages and sickness they had been called on for extra duties. Nurse King presented each of the graduates with a bouquet.