HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 18 February 1949, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). HOKITIKA, Feb. 17 The body of the late Mr Brian Agnew Brown who died suddenly al tii.e Westland Hosoital was taken by air to Levin, and the luneral iook Plate at Levin yesterday afternoon. I'iie workers at the HoKitlka airuort observed two minutes’ silence in honour of their follow worker. The funeral of the late Mr Thomas Alexander Jones took place at the Hokitika cemetery yesterday afternoon, the service at the graveside being conducted by the Rev. H. C. Kendon. The Returned Services Association were represented by Mr G. Gilchrist, and the “Last Post” was sounded by Bugler Barltrop. The m.v. Hauiti left. Wellington for Hokitika to-day and will call at Greymouth to discharge cargo before coming on to Hokitika. Arter discharge of her inward cargo at Hokitika, the vessel will load silver pine posts for Wanganui and will probably sail on Monday. The vessel is due to make a trip to Jackson’s Bay in the following week, and will also bring a cargo oi cement from Tarakohe.

Borough Council At the meeting of the Hokitika Borough Council held on Wednesday evening, Mr J. Holmes a member of the Ross Borough Council was appointed to represent the boroughs of Hokitika, Ross and Kumara on the Westland Catchment Board. A further legal opinion was received from the borough solicitor in regard to squatters on Admiralty and Road Reserves, and it was decided that the Council should make a complete survey of areas and ascertain the true position, and submit a report to the Council. It was also decided to prosecute where buildings had been erected without first obtaining a permit for the work. The area at the North Town Belt known as Hollywood is to be surveyed by the Council with a view to giving the tenants an opportunity of obtaining titles for their properties, and to bring the area within the borough for rating purposes. Mr John Calder, the contractor for the new post office was given authority to erect a hoarding around the police camp area during the progress of the building of the new post office. In view of reports that the north training wall had moved out during the recent flood, the Council decided to ask the Public Works engineer to advise the Council as to the danger if any. 'rhe by-laws relating to the erection of fences was discussed and referred to the by-laws committee xvith a view to placing an interpretation on the word repair, and to make some recommendation to- exclude any payment for work up to a certain amount. Cr Havill asked the Council to j econsicter the purchase of the present motor mower now on order, and to ask the supplying authorities to change the order to a gang set of mowers similar to those used by the Public Works. This was agreed to. Mr R. Growcott was appointed to the outside staff of the Council. Miss S. Growcott, senior clerk to the Council tendered her resignation which was accepted with regret, and the Town Clerk was authorised to fill the vacancy. The Council gave the Mayor full authority to convene a meeting of citizens to arrange a welcome to the officers and crew of the H.M.S. Kaniere. and to arrange entertainment for them during their visit to the West Coast. It is proposed to take the visitors to Lake Kaniere, also to arrange a civic reception to be held at Cass Square and to make a presentation from the Westland County Council and the Borough of Hokitika of a framed photograph of Lake Kaniere. The Mayor asked the Councillors to give him their full co-operation at the meeting to be called to Organise the function. Full support is to be given to the Westland District Progress League to have some relief given to the gold mining industry by the Government. The Council also decided to point out to the league that it definitely was of the opinion that the mining companies should be compelled to replace the soil and level out ' the land after dredging. One Councillor said it was a crime that land of a high quality such as at Ikamatua should be dredged at all. The Plunket Society was given permission to make alterations to their rooms, and erect a garage.