HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1947, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent.]

HOKITIKA, Feb. 21

New appointments at the monthly meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council were those of Mr N. Karnbach to assistant slaughterman at the abattoirs, and Mr W. Ross, a returned serviceman, as clerk in the Borough Council office. The secretary of the Hokitika Progress League wrote asking if improvements could be effected to the road from Race Course Hill to Hampden street (east town belt) and Sale street. The resident railway engineer, Greymouth, advised that the Public Woks Department could not undertake the work of tar sealing Railway street. There was a possibility that emulsion would be made available to the council this season and it was considered in respect of this, that the council would undertake to carry out the work. It was decided that the council would be unable to assist the P.W.D. The Mayor, (Mr Elcock) said that while the Progress League had considered the matter very carefully, with regard to a comprehensive examination of municipal problems, it appeared that the league had overlooked the fact that the council was a body (fleeted by the people of Hokitika. The council had works 1 in mind which would occupy it for the next five years. It would have to take first things first and with £36,000 to spend on a water scheme and the cost of financing the new Town Hall, he considered it inadvisable to invite outsiders in at this time. Dissatisfaction having been expressed by members of the County Council who had visited the cemetery prior to their last meeting, the County Council wrote inviting a member of , the Borough Council to attend the next County Council meeting with a satisfactory explanation as to why the cemetery was in such a bad state. Cr. Armstrong (chairman of the Reserves Committee) said he had a good explanation and would forward this to the County Council by letter. Cr. Armstrong added that Cr. Cook’s statement about the cemetery had been exaggerated, and that in company with the Mayor he had visited the cemetery and was satisfied that progress was being made. The Sexton who' had been appointed, was a new man and three months was a reasonable period to allow him to clean the place up. The Mayor said the Borough Council had written off the best part of £lOOO in connection with the cemetery during the past 20 years. It was decided to invite a member of the County Council to serve on the Borough Reserves Committee to help administer the upkeep of the cemetery.

The treasurer reported for the month of January as follows: Receipts £1899 14s 3d; payments £1634 14s 2d. The abattoir report was as follows: Stock slaughtered: 2'l cows, 20 heifers, 68 bullocks, 187 sheep, 69 lambs, 11 pigs, four calves. Fees for the month were £B2 18s Bd, compared with £B7 Is Id for the corresponding month last year. Messrs R. Guthrie and A. E. Stephens, ’ for the Jubilee Tennis Club, waited on the council to state it had decided to purchase new grounds and had asked for a suitable area. The Town Clerk had replied that the only one was a section on the corner of 'Stafford Street and Livingstone Street. The area the club desired would be approximately an acre. They wanted enough room for three courts.

The club’s present grounds, belonging to the Methodist Church were up for auction. It was understood that the new Town Hall might be built there.

It was decided that on March 1 the Reserves Committee meet the delegation on the Livingstone street site.

Heavy rain fell on Thursday night, but the weather cleared yesterday. The river was flooded, and the water rose to within three feet of the wharf. There was, however, only a slight run in the river, the extra water being held back by a sand bank at the river mouth, and when the tide turned, the water receded. The channel over the bar would be improved by the extra water. Conditions were not favourable to bring the Gael into port and she went to Greymouth. The backing up of the river did not cause undue flooding in the town.

About 35 horses have arrived at Hokitika for the race meeting at the week-end', some coming by motor float, including five from Greymouth. Mr A. Ellis arrived from Sockburn to-day with Open Cast and Little Billy. Little Billy is owned by Mr E. N. Fitzgerald, owner of Kindergarten and Golden Souvenir. The recent rain has improved the race course.

I At a meeting of the Westland Racing Club, there were present Messrs M. H. Houston (president), J. J. Breeze, M. B. James, H. Wells, C. Schroeder, E, W. Heenan, W. Gifford, D. J. Hyndman. A deputation from the local Trotting Club, for whom Mr H. McKeon was spokesman asked for use of the club’s course and appointments. He said a large number of neople had decided to form a Trotting Club, and application had been made for a permit to hold three days trotting in Hokitika each year. The club was hopeful of securing a permit. The new club would help the Racing Club. Trotting was popular, and recent nominations received by the Greymouth Racing Club was ample proof, also for meetings held at Reefton and Westport. The new club would be an advantage but it would not be justified in seeking to make a new course, as it could pay for the use of the Racing Club’s course and facilities. It was resolved unanimously to lend all support to the Trotting Club and in the event of the permit being granted, to make available the use of the club’s course and facilities, the terms to be considered later. Mr W. H. Stopforth forwarded a report that the course was in excellent condition, the recent rain having considerably improved the track. The car parking area was almost completed and would accommodate 250 cars. Accommodation was provided in the looseboxes for 47 horses, and a number of stalls would be available. Mr Schroeder was authorised to appoint a caretaker for the week-end. Tae president stated arrangements for a picnic at Lake Mahinapua for owners, trainers and jockeys had been finalised. The party would leave the Road Service garage at 1.30 on Sunday afternoon, and join boats at the Golf Links bridge. Mr Hyndman was anpointed to take charge of a ball for the club on Friday evening. The Rotary Club was granted authority to sell art union tickets at the race meeting on Saturday and Monday.

The chairman reported that the acceptances were excellent, and eight new horses would be engaged. Visiting owners had expressed their satisfaction at the accommodation provided. He had given permission to the Public Works Department to enter upon certain areas held by the club.

Ross Women’s Institute held their first meeting of 1947 at the Fire Brigade Flail on Wednesday. Mrs Ross Jones (vice-president) welcomed several new memebrs and apologised for three members who were ill. Mrs Jones was appointed to the Executive Committee. Nominations for the committee for the ensuing year are to be in the hands of the secretary by March 1. The Wandering Shilling, donated by Mrs May, was won by Mrs Dowling. Best Bloom competition resulted: Mrs Allen Thompson (dahlia) 1; Mrs Ross Jones (Hydrangea) 2. The competition for next month is the best three runner beans. Mrs Adamson kindly took the Wandering Shilling for next month. Mrs T. Adamson wen a treasure hunt. The committee served supper at the conclusion.

The m.v. Gael arrived in the roadstead at Hokitika yesterday morning, but bar conditions prevented the vessel from entering port. It was hoped that she would be able to effect an entry at mid-nighfr last night. The vessel has a large consignment of cigarettes and tobacco for the West Coast, and also has cement included in her cargo.