HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1927, Page 8

HOKITIKA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

A wedding of considerable local interest ivas celebrated, on Vloiidav .mori’ing at St. Patrick’s Church, Greyrnouth, Ihe contracting parties being Mr William Stopforth of Hokitika, and Miss Doris Lawn, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Lawn, of Hokitika. Miss R. Gillooley was bridesmaid, and Mr Leo Stopforth was best man. After the cere mony a reception was held at Harker’s Tea Rooms, the young couple later leaving by the express for a lour of the North Island.

Mr IL Whiley’s flax mill at Kokatahi commenced operations yesterday. Some eight men will be engaged in the mil], and in the flax cutting in the adjacent paddocks. A large number of lambs was forwarded to Christchurch from Westland on Monday, most of them being from South Westland. The total exported from this part of Westland during the season numbers nearly 5000. While th<> Coast is suffering from the effects of a timber slump, the growers of sheep and cattle have had a very prosperous year. A car containing Mr W. 11. Milner. Hr D. J. .Evans and a County party, had an unenviable experience when crossing Dry Creek on their way back from the Waiho. The car got into difficulties in the middle of tho creek, and owing to ‘the rising flood water, the occupants were in grave peril for a time. After some difficulty, they succeeded in gaining the north bank, the car being abandoned, but it was later with plenty of local assistance, drawn to safety.

The approaching visit of royalty has at least been the means of our only park, Cass Square, receiving a long overdue clean-up. Several members of the Borough staff have been engaged for the past fortnight in mowing and pruning, with the result that the Square looks a picture. The other morning a new type of vehicle that really seemed akin to the oldest kind of conveyance between here and the one-time lively mining township of Kanieri, travelled along' Gibson Quay. It was a “jigger” constructed by Wild and Bassett for the Hokitika-Kanieri Sawmill Coy., for the purpose of taking the workmen to the bush daily. The vehicle is propelled by an adapted motor engine, and the body is* built on the lines of a tram, with seating accommodation for fourteen. Quite a fajr speed is possible and the result is a saving of about an hour in travelling time as well as affording a more comfortable ride. The adaptability of similar machines for light, transport over bush lines is at once apparent, and no doubt this use will come into vogue in due course. South Westland is going ahead, and lamb exports prove it alone. There is a good deal of building here at present. There are new halls in process of erection at Harihari and Matainui. Additions are being made to the hotel at Waiho Gorge, which, despite its size.

is still inadequate for the visitors at times, uAt the Tatai’e, near Waiho, a two storey dwelling is being erected by Mr Paganini. At Cooks River Elat, Sullivan Bros are preparing to erect an accommodation house. These works have kept the southern sawmills fairly well employed.