HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 1 March 1948, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

four Own Correspondent!. HOKITIKA, Feb 29. Mr McKillop, Commissioner of Works for the Government visited Hokitika on Friday and was met oy the Mayor (Mr A. E. Ferry), Messrs S. G. Havill, G. Howe, A. Hill, E. Keown, A. R. Elcock and E. W. Heenan, Hon. J. B. Kent, M.P., and Mr Bremner (Works Department engineer) were also present. A visit of inspection was made to Ihe harbour, the commissioner examined the north protection wall for its full length, and discussed problems affecting the river mouth and the training wall with Messrs G. Howe (harbourmaster) and Heenan (secretary or the harbour board). Following the inspection, the party discussed the protection wall. The commissioner later visited proposed sources of supply of stone for the wall. He made a survey of the beach adjacent to the harbour and the training wall north of the bridge. The commissioner will report to Cabinet.

The commissioner of works intimated that it was imperative _ that weak portions of the north training will be strengthened and that the work he put in hand in time to guard against damage from spring Hoods. He was surprised to learn that the north wall, built in the early days was mainly composed of kauri timber, 'Drought from Whangaroa, and landed at a cost of 6s fid per 100 superficial feet. According to reports given the commissioner, the _ kauri timber below the water level is still sound ,and will last many years. The commissioner advised that a report would be given to the Prime Minister to be placed before Cabinet. It appeared to him that a comprehensive report, was necessary in order to find the cause and effect of the present trouble. Members of the water committee of the Hokitika Borough Council met the commissioner and discussed the proposals for a new water supply from Lake Kanieri. The commissioner undertook to have inspections and recommendations of the Health Department’s engineers in regard to the supppl of water to both hospitals made available as soon as possible. The commissioner made an inspection of the post office, accompanied by the Mayor and Mr P. Blank, chairman of the Hokitika Progress League. At the annual meeting of the Rugby League Club the following ollicers were elected: Delegate io centre Mr L. Zimmerman. Local committee. Messrs L. Zimmerman, O. Fowler, R. Neilsen, K. Mosley, D. Haines. L. Hutchison, Morgan, and A. Gardyne. Club captain Mr J. Masters; junior coach A. Gillman; assistant secretary F. Grenfell. The report and balance sheet were adopted, disclosing a surplus of assets over liabilities amounting to £lBO 8s 3d. Trie meeting recorded its sympathy will! the widow and relatives of the late Mr Bart Dowell, who took a keen interest in the code. At the meeting of the H.D.H.o. committee a welcome was extenaed to the headmaster, Mr Jeffries, wno said he hoped to justify his appomtment. The Education Board advised that two architects would visit Hokitika on March 2 to discuss with tne committee proposed plans for a new school. The Prime Minister advise/, that ho had asked the Minister m Education to arrange an early mceiiim between the department s and tne board's architects to finalise ine plans. Examination results lor the school were: University Entrance 1; School Certificate 8. Parents nave been advised to assist in making tne school uniform universal. It was considered that hot meals could be provided at the school and n, was stated preliminary investigation-,, with local catering firms were now being made. It was decided to obtain a film projector; six balls. ior basketball, and to have the infant grounds improved. , TT , What is probably the first M est Coast baseball team to participate in a national championship, -ef.. Hokitika recently for Dunedin inc team, which represents the Wc-5...-a,m Baseball Association, comprises 11 players, wit.li Miss I Mai i as chaperone and Mr M. Stoop as manager. The team played trial matches at Christchurch during the \ceck-eiiu and will continue its. journey to Dunedin tomorrow. It will return to Hokitika on Monday week.