OTIRA ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1924, Page 4

OTIRA ITEMS.

OTIRA. April 1

An accident which might have proved very serious happened on Monday morning through the stray stock nuisance. A little boy about two years of age, the son of Air G. Dixon, was playing outside the gate of his father’s house when u stray horse came galloping along and kicked him. no his leg. Two very severe cuts were inflicted on the leg, and the horse must also have stepped on his foot, as it was badly mangled. No bones weie broken but the hoy will be laid up for at least fourteen days. Air R. McFarland rendered first-aid. It is to be hoped that owners of horses and cows will endeavour in the future to keep them in paddocks and not let them stray.

About 60 residents attended a meeting to elect officers and transact general business in connexion with the local Progress League. The following, officers were elected:—President, Mr R. McFarlane ; secretary, Mr A. Block; committee, Mesdamos King, Young, and Amaisie, Misses Onliari and Eenjon, Messrs Williams. Pollock Yeung Bennett, Abraham and Allott. It war. resolved that a branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade be formed in Otira, tho committee to take the necessary steps for its formation. It was agreed to write to the Minister of Education asking when it is proposed to start tho erection of the proposed new school, the old one being unsanitary and unsafe for .the children. Regarding a hospital for Otira it was decided to ask the member of the district to urge the Minister of Health to give effect to his promise to have such a hospital opened.

It is significant that the houses near the Otira end of the tunnel 'and the Public Works bach are being vacated on instructions from the Department. It is anticipated that the hall will be opened in, a fortnight, and a meeting will he held tins week to arrange a function to celebrate the occasion. It has been decided to purchase a piano, as arrangements are being made to send the instrument which did duty in the old days to Glenhopc, where the largest number of old tunnel wankers are now employed.