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Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1922, Page 2

It was a pleasant surprise to glean from the report 0 f the Borough Council proceedings last week that there was ample water for all domestic purposes in the reservoir. The sudden improvement in the water supply is not explained in any reasonable way. From a, totally inadequate supply to an ample supply is a sudden change for the better which will he quite satisfactory. The cause for this very pleasing improvement is not manifest. Probably as long as the supply maintains its present adequate proportions, the folk will not be keen about causes, but it is at least satisfactory to know that the supply is back to normal conditions, and in keeping with the capacity of the schemes when first introduced. We do not know, however, that the Borough Council should accept the position too complacently. There should he some regular investigation and inspection of the works and reticulation so that- conditions may not drift back again to the former conditions of shortage. During that period of stress, many opinions were expressed as to why and wherefore, but they were never worked out t G a finality. It will not suffice to treat the position now indifferently. There is too much at stake to leave the matter of the water supply unexplained. The town wants security and confidence in regard to the matter. It appears to us that the Fire Brigade should detail men to investigate the position from their point of view. If' there is a sudden failure in the supply at the time of a fire, the Brigndesmen will be the first t () suffer. The possibility of this should be beyond the realms of chance, and the causes governing the means of securing an effective water supply at all times should he secured so ns to remove once and for all any possibility of serious disaster suddenly arising.

The old saying that an ounce of example is worth pounds of precept was | examplified last week by the effect of Revd. Purehas’s letter and offer in regard to reviving interest in the swimming baths. The effect of the offer made so timely was that the Borough Council took up the matter and has now agreed to find half the cost of putting the baths in order. The great difficulty al>out using the baths ha-9 | been overcome unexpectedly by the I fact that there is now water flowing to j waste from the main reservoir. This i is very good news, and solves a difficult problem. It is now for the Swimming Cluib to raise its 1-16(1. The gift from Mr Purchas is an evidence of the pulbi lie interest and we opine the Club- will ! not have great difficulty in raising its j quota on an appeal to the townspeople. The baths are regarded as an essen tial asset to the town. It has been a reproach over a long period that the equipment should he provided, and the use prevented solely ] by the want of water—and this in a district with an over abnormal rainfall and adjacent to a capacious river. The difficulty of the shortage of water for the swimming baths should have been overcome long ago, but seeing that the opportunity only offers now, the chance should he seized a,t once, and steps taken to raise the funds required. This matter is naturally one for an accredited organisation. The Swimming Club should lose no time in calling a meeting and formulating proposals to raise the money required s 0 that permanent repairs can be done betimes and the baths brought into regular use vithout further protracted delay. :

The proposed ball in the Town Hall, Rimu, on Wednesday, has been postnoned’ until further notice.

Mr J. Niven, hon. sec. of the Hokitika Beautifying Association, desires to acknowledge receipt of a donation to the funds of 10s fid from Mr W. Olderog of Araliura.

The adjourned meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Association will be held at the Drill Shed to-night at 7.30 o’clock to receih’e offers for a suitable club rooms.

The monthly meeting of the Westland •Progress League takes place at 7.30 o’clock to-morrow evening, when Mr H. Belshaw M.A. will attend and give an address 011 the W.E.A., and the 01ganisation of the farmers’ winter school at Hokitika, A full attendance or members of the League is muted.

A schoolboy, Frank McWha, who fell off a cart on Thursday at Westport, in frant of the school, was badly Inu-t, having a leg broken and sustaining other injuries. Dr Foote was summoned rand took the Lad to the hospital.

Mr L. Macintosh Ellis, Director of the State Forest Service, left on Friday afternoon with Mr Camille Malfroy, expert officer, for the West Coast, via Hanmor, Glen-wye, and Cannibal Gorge. They will visit South Westland and return to the east coast via the liaast Pass.

The stocktaking and audit of the N.Z. Clothing Factory takes place on the 28th inst. and. as it i,s most essen-

tial that accounts be paid before audit time we respectfully request a settlei meat of all outstanding accounts on or . before the 28th February 1922. Hallenstein Bros Ltd.—Advt.

Mr Seddon M. P. arrived on Saturday night l',rom Wellington. To-day lie returned north to Greymouth where Ik- is arranging to settle in the legal profession from now on. Mr Seddon will remain in the district for about three veelgs before proceeding to Christchurch for a happy event.

Mr Win. Bade luis taken over the position of ticket inspector on the Westland section of Railways, in succession to Mr Wm - Shields. Mr Bade was formerly for many years a wellknown guard on the Westland section, and his many friends will be pleased to see him return in his more responsible position.

The Wellington office of the National Bank of New Zealand has received a cable message stating that at a largely attended meeting of shareholders of the bank held at its head office in London on February 15tli, a resolution was passed unanimously increasing the authorised capital of the Bank from £3,000,000 to £4 .500,000 by 'the creation of 200,000 new shares of £7 I.os each.

We regret to record the death of Al.rs Alin Dwyer, of Waiuta, relict of the late Mr Daniel Dwyer, a former wellknown resident of Blue Spur. Deceased was 78 years of age and leaves a family of eight, three sons- and five girls, and was a sister of Airs J. Brocklehurst of Hokitika.

At the Public Hall, Riniu on Thursday evening a farewell social and presentation will be made to Mrs T. Evenden and Son who are leaving the district after having, resided there for 13 years, Constable Evenden having been transferred to Greymouth. The reset cults of the district regret his departure. He has always taken an active part in all kinds of sport and assist in any worthy object. He was president of Kanieri Rifle- Club and generally esteemed by the community.

The Kokatahi-Koiterangi sports and picnic at. Diedrichs paddock, Kokatahi cm Wednesday should prove ian interesting gathering. There will be sports and a swimming carnival, while Air E. C. Toohey has donated a trophy valued at £3 for a two mile bicycle race on the road. In the evening a dance will wind up the day’s proceedings, Longford Hall being utilised. Cars will run t 0 and from Hokitika to Kokatahi, afternoon and evening.

At the Town Hall on Wednesday night the Hon. H. L. Michel will deliver a popular illustrated lecture on the isles of tlie Pacific visited during last year by the Parliamentary party of which Mr Michel was a member. The slides are very beautiful and depict many interesting scenes. These will be shown by Dr Teichelmann who has now a very complete plant for the purpose. Mr Michel will tell the story of the pictures which should be extremely interesting from every point of view. The proceeds from the lecture will be devoted t G the Hokitika Beautifying Association.

Arrangements are in progress for the forthcoming A. and P. Show to he held on the local racecourse on the 15th March. The Secretary’s office (J. Jarman) is situated in the Masonic Chambers, Hamilton Street. Hours of attendance at present are 10 n.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays, and from the 6th Alarch, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Any communications forwarded to the Secretary or verbal message left at the Department of Agriculture office will receive prompt attention.

On Saturday morning about 10 o’clock Afessrs McConnor, of Camerons, discovered the body of another of the victims of the recent surfing tragedy at Blaketown beach. The body was located in the water just at the mouth of the New River, near Camerons. The body was later identified as .that of the youth George AVilson, of Reefton, about 16 years of age, son of Mr George Wilson, carter, of Reefton. He had worn a woman’s bathing costume, and apart from the size of the body, it could thus be identified. Constable Crowley and Houston, were sent to Camerons, and brought the body to Greymouth by the train, arriving at 3 p.m. It was much decomposed about the head and limbs. The remains, after being identified officially, were conveyed by motor on Saturday evening to Reefton for burial.

Objection was taken by counsel for an accused person in the Wellington Supreme Court this week to a detective telling the suspect: “I expect you to make a statement.” Counsel contended that a police officer had no right to proceed in that manner in order to get a statement. Air Justice Hosking disagreed. He said he considered it a detective’s duty when the onus was thrown on a person of explaining how lie came in possession of stolen goods to say that he expected the person to make a. statement. A man suspected of a crime should be given an opportunity of explaining. "It is no use your putting these suggestions to the jury the way you do,” continued his Honour, addressing counsel. “It is not right. If a man is suspected of a crime l.e ought to he given an opportunity of making an explanation. If his explanation is satisfactory he is not arrested.” Counsel: T submit it is not for the detective to say if it is satisfactory. His Honour: I say it is. It is for the jury to say afterwards what view they take of the character of the storv.

When Mr Wifnn Morgan and party were trawling in the lagoon off the •Granity beach on Monday evening the sudden tension of the net- indicated the presence of a large and powerful fish. The net was pulled towards the shore with difficulty, the struggles of the fish being plainly evident in the rough water. When the net was finally cast ashore on the crest of a breaker it presented a curious and interesting sight, Among fish of all sorts and sizes a stingray was seen securely enmeshed and battling furiously for life. It took half an hour to free the fish and to drag it high and dry up the bank. W-ien weighed yesterday morning the stingray turned the scale at 125 pounds and measured front five inches across and nearly five feet in length, These fish are dangerous when molested being capable of inflicting a deep wound which in turn may develop poison. Their presence in the Granity lagoon should act as a warning to bathers when the tide is on the turn.

Butter down in price. .Make more of it. - Get “CERES” Separator. Cleanest skimmer. 15 to 144 gals, hvn pays for if self. Illustrated liookiet. Manning Alaebinevy Co., 5 Bedord Row, Christchurch.

Ladies! the help to set you free hy 9.30 washing morning is “NO-RUB-BiNG” Laundry Help. A Is packet does 7 weeks.

WOLFid’S SCHNAPPS, vastly su perior t., nil ntlic- stimul i»i>■

Bring down the cost of living. You have it in your own hands. Refuse to buy goods at .high prices. Transfer your custom to McGruer’s, the leading spot cash drapers, the firm that brought the drapery prices down. Now on, great summer sale, wonderful bargains in every department. Pay a visit early to McGruer and Co., Hokitika and Greymouth.—Advt.

‘ FACTORY OWNERS: Clean out the ! scale in your boiler quickly, effectively, i cheaply by using “MEXICAN” GRAPHITE. Wonderful effect but no harm to boiler. Manning Machinery Co., ■‘s Bedford Row, Christchurch. A very smart lot of Jersey jumpers, American crepe de chine jumpers, also pinafore blouses suitable for the holidays are creating a great demand at Schroder and Co’s; who also stock a fine range of ladies’ hose, and silk underwear.—Advt. i With SHARLAND’S Baking Powder I in the dough, good results are certain. ' That’s why busy housewives alwayß use SHARLAND’S. WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS. Tor colds hot with lemon at bedtime. Ford Cars lead the way as usual. Prices are down and within the reach of all. Minimum prices,, Runabout, £213; Touring, £225, any color, other than black £5 extra, all f.o.b. Wellington. We sell Fords only and genuine Ford parts. Beware of imitations.— Mark Sprot and Co., Ford West Coast Dealers, Greymouth.—Advt. Don’t leave the lightness and digestibility of your scones and cakes to chance. Use SHARLAND’S Baking Powder—it is bound to rise