HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 April 1948, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent].

HOKITIKA, April 14. The funeral of the late Mr Edward Rochford took place' at Hokitika cemetery this morning. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Mary s Church by the Rev. Father T. Lordan, who also conducted the service at the graveside. Many friends were present from various parts of the district. ' ~ Mr W. J. Radford, manager ot the Rimu Gold Dredging Company, has returned to Hokitika after a business visit to America. On Tuesday afternoon the members of the Westland County Council paid a visit to the Sea View aerodrome, and were astounded at the progress of the work, and the excellent progress made to date. It was the opinion of the members that the engineer and his team of men with their motor lorries. and bulldozers were doing a good job. The Gael arrived at Hokitika at 1 o’clock this afternoon from Tarakohe, with a full cargo of cement. After discharge she will load general cargo for Jackson Bay. She will continue in the local trade for a few weeks. The vessel bringing the new motor engine for the same company’s vessel. Hauiti, has berthed at Auckland, and the engine should soon be available for installation in the new ship. The Gael had an extremely good trip from Tarakohe, Avith practically a flat calm for the whole journey, which was accomplished in 23 hours. Th& Westland County Engineer, Mr J. C. Clarke, in his report to the Council yesterdav stated: Lake Kanieri M.H..—The usual monthly maintenance has been carried out, and considering the amount of traffic using this road, its condition is fairly good. Kanieri-Koiterangi M.H.— With the damp weather this road is improving, and corrugations are disappearing. Both metal and_ planer maintenance has been carried out. Upper Kokatahi M.H. —The usual maintenance has been . carried . out and the road is in fair condition. Okarito M.H.—The road surface has scoured several times due to' exceptionally heavy downfaces; this has been repaired each time. _ At present repairs to bridges are being carried out by the Council’s bridge carpenters. ’ This road is carrying exceptionally heavy loads of silver pine, which’ is being cut off areas along practically the full length of the road. . , , Maintenance has been carried out to most roads which are being used in the northern riding. The planer operated as usual in the Arahura Valley. The AWatuna Sawmilling Coy. are crossing the road with a tramline, as applied for. A good deal more filling, widening, and the erection of warning notices, are required before the crossing will be considered satisfactory Central Riding.—Owing to the trucks and gang being employed on other works, very little has been done to the Central riding, with the exception of the Mananui road, which has been metalled in many places and planed on several occasions. It is hoped to concentrate on other roads during this month. Ruatapu-Ross area.—Both metal and planer attention has been given to' these roads. Waitaha area.—The planer operated on the Settlement Road, and at propresent repairs are being carried out with metal. Harihari area.—The usual maintenance has been carried out to this area. The planer also attended to the most used roads. Wataroa area. —The contract arrangements at present being given a trial appear to be reasonably satisfactory. The planer operated on several roads in this area. There were present at the County Council meeting Mr M. Wallace (chairman), Crs. A. Shannon, J. Donovan, T. Brown, R. Bradley, A. F. Clark, P. J. McLean, and G. Rowley. A letter from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, regarding the United Nations appeal lor children was read, and the chairman spoke on the worthiness of the campaign. asking that Council members support the appeal in their districts. “The aim of the campaign is for each person to donate one day’s wages to the cause, and I feel that if all dp their part Westland will have little trouble in fulfilling its quota”. The secretary of the Westland Catchment ( Board advised that the board would assume the responsibility of collecting from the Kokatahi settlers for the amount for the quarry opening as soon as confirmation was received from head office. A request from the Harihari Women’s Institute to have the sides of the gravel pit in their district graded down was referred to the engineer. A letter from Mr T. Mt Bride, for the Wataroa cemetery trustees, asking for assistance in the purchase of three and a-half tons of cement for improvements was received, the council donating £2O towards cost. The use of the County Council Chambers for meetings by other bodies was discussed. The clerk reported that the rooms, which were lent to all bodies at 5s per night, had been, left in a disgraceful condition. It was eventually decided that unless the rooms were left in a satisfactory condition after meetings, the use of the room would no longer be permitted.