LATE LOCALS.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1921, Page 3

LATE LOCALS.

The Westland Chamber of Commerce has been advised that the Minister of Justice has decided not to make any change in regard to the sontern plated closing of the Magistrate's Court at Okarito.

When dealing with an application at the Warden’s Court far n handsawiug and timber splitting warrant, AD' Orr-Walker stated he had pointed out as at previous sitting that the regulations do not permit of the bolder of a timber cutting and band splitting warrant cutting timber for a sawmill He suggested that it might be ad vis able to have an alteration made to the regulations so as to clearly set out the position deeming it in the interests of tlie industry that small blocks of standing timber lie cut out properly as otherwise they would not be utilised.

Mr W. Stewart, for many years Manager of the Hokitika Gas Works, is leaving the employ of the local Company to-morrow, having lately resigned his appointment. Mr Stewart has been on the staff of the Company for a long period of years and has rendered aery Useful service to his employers. He has been a painstaking officer, and the uniform good service rendered by the gas supply is in the main attributable to his thorough work in overseeing and directing tne use of the plant. Mr Stewart, is succeeded by Mr G. Heinz, who has now taken u]) bis duties as Manager. Mr Heinz is an experienced officer, having been trained to the work, and irom the special study he has made of gas supply, no doubt he will be able to more and more popularise the present service with the publi*.

In res]x>nso to the enquiry made by the Westland Chamber of Commerce, Mr J. I). Gillies, Resident Engineer, is now able to make a very .pleasing announcement in respect to the prosecution of the work in connection with Bruce Bay Landing. The Resident Engineer writes: “The necessary- survey in connection with this work has been delayed by the shortage of staff and pressure of other urgent work. J am now glad to inform you that an Assistant Engineer is shortly proceeding south to undertake Bruce Bay Landing and other surveys in South Westland.” This item of news will be very acceptable to the southern folk, for in the south several works have been hold up for some time awaiting detailed surveys and a number of works, including especially Bruce Bay Landing and Slippery Face road deviation,, are required most urgently.

At the public meeting convened by St. John’s Ambulance Association, last Wednesday, to consider the question of raising funds for the purchase of a Motor Ambulance for Westland, the following Committee was elected:

Messrs J. Lloyd (Chairman), Thompson, Wild, West, Butler, Rev. Jack, Mesdames Butler and Wood. Misses M. Bruce and M. Moore were appointed joint bon. secretaries. It was resolved to appoint collectors in various parts of the district and to issue lists immediately. Air T. West of the Industrial Ambulance Association expressed his willingness to assist „in raising the necessary funds and his offer was received with thanks The sum required will be about £IOOO and all subscriptions will receive if. subsidy from the Government of 24/- in +ho £l. An amount of £62/7/7' which was collected some time ago for this purpose is bold by the local ,St. John’s Ambulance Association and lists are now open for further contributions.