HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1949, Page 3

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

The past few days have produced good catches of whitebait at Hokitika, the largest on the southern bank of the river'proper. One catch was fourteen tins, while many others ranged from eight to two tins. The run on Sunday continued to be good but yesterday sea conditions were adverse, although there wei’e some profitable hauls. The canning fatcory is working long hours, while buyers are -forwarding consignments by plane and rail services to the cities, some as fa r as Auckland. Buyers are paying 2s Gd per pound on the river bed, which works out at. £5 per 401 b tin of fish. The past week was easily the best of the season. The Queen, Carnival to raise fund: for new sports grounds is meeting with good support. It is hoped to raise £4OOO for the project. Although the Carnival is only in its first weeks the sum raised is substantial. The m.v. Hauiti had a mishap on a journey to Wellington from Hokitikr last week. Crossing the Strait, she shuddered and the engine raced, bid speed was at once reduced and -->llO completed the trip at. four kn )ts. She now goes on the slip for her annual overhaul. Mr P. E. L. Renton, chairman of directors of the company, left for Wellington on Saturday. Unt’l the vessel is put on the slip, the damage will not be known. It is thought, she lost a blade otf the propeller, possibly through it coining in contact with a floating log.

A representative meeting of mem bers of local bodies was held hero last week to consider steps to cop° with, the deer menace. Mr R- JBradley was chairman, and Messrs R Fraser and E Pye represented the Internal Affairs Department. The following recommendations were agreed to.—That a separate deer control district be set up and Riat officers be employed on a permanent basis to conduct a full year’s operations on an intensified scale. That a bounty with a ipimimum of ius for tails be instituted. That the department is to be commended on the proposals outlined by its officers for establishing operations in every district with depqts in the headwateis of rivers and the dropping of supplies from aeroplanes.