WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 5

WEST COAST NOTES

FATALITY AT REWANUI

(STECIAL TO ''THE I'RESS.")

GREYMOUTH, March 3

Shortly after commencing wcrk at the Liverpool Colliery at Rewanui tins morning, a bath-house attendant named John Kennedy, acred about 70 years, who resided in Chapel street, Oreyniouth, was struck by a truck of coal and crushed against a crangway. Death was practically instantaneous. The deceased, who had been employed in the State mines for many years, and was a well-known resident, is survived by one son and three daughters. An inquest will be held at 10.30 a.m. on "Wednesday. Magistrate's Court. A plea of guilty was entered by a young man named Frank Mayo, charged before Mr V. r . Meld rum, S.M., this afternoon, with the theft of a bicycle, valued at £o. Accused was admitted to probation for twelve months on condition that he reports once a month to the police and pays £1 9s L'J costs within a week. When John Rupert Moran appeared this morning charged with having been found drunk at Cobden, Sergeant Fryer stated that the defendant had been located underneath the ladies dressing-shed during the progress of the swimming carnival on Saturday. Moran pleaded not guilty, but refused to say anything in defence. Jn response to a question from the Bem-h, the sergeant said that further enquiries were being made about the mat'ter. Defendant, being a second offender, was ii'ied .103 and costs, in default 48 hours' imprisonment.

In all probability noting further would have been heard ol the borrowing of two railway trolleys on tha Otir:i line in November last had not a collision occurred with serious consequences to the trolleys. The sequel, however, was staged this morning, when Eric Palmer and William Youngman were charged with having unlawfully used a jigger and with damaging a t Inehbonnie two trolleys belonging to the Railway Department. John Craig, sawmill employee at Inchbonnie, said that when employed as porter at that station he permitted defendants to use one or the trolleys, althougii he had no authority to do so.

Albert Orange, railway foreman, gave evidence as to the carnage to the trolleys, which totalled i'l'J. The Magistrate said, it was not " case in which defendants could be asked to pay for all the damage. They were ordered to pay £3 each towards the cost of repairs to the trolleys, together with witnesses' expenses £1 9s 2d. The recovery of t'ic other £6 was left iu the hands of the police. Mining Industry. Immediately it was known that a fatal accident had occurred at the State Mine, there was a cessation of work in all sections and the management arranged for a special train about 11 a.m. to convey the Grey men back to their homes. "Work wi!T not be resumed until Thursday, it being the invariable customs to cease production until after the funeral of any person fatally injured. The Westland Engine Drivers' Union held a large meeting on Saturday evening and decided against linking up with the Miners' Unions for the present. Officers were olected for the ensuing year, these including Mr C. Quinn president and Mr J. Goo£all secretary. ,

A special meeting of the Donniston Engine Drivers' Union derided to refer the amalgamation question to the incoming executive.

Westport-Stockton Coal Company shipped 1792 tons of coal last week, and the Westport Coal Company 9282 tons, with 22G tons local sales. Cricket. United B, which held a good position in the cricket competition, went down to Stillwater at tlie week-end, the scores being: Stillwater 71, United 45. Ecynolds scored 25 for United, and O'Brien 33. and Gilbert 13 for Stillwater. In the second innings United lost two wickets for 51 (Hincksman not out 3G, Jamieson not out 9). Rose (United) took 5 wickets for 5, and Mullins (Stillwater) 6 for 14.

In a match between married and single members of the United Club the former were successful by 156 runs to 103. Nightingale 41 and Fas s 35 were' the best scorers for married, and Adams 2G and Ecynolds 18 for the single men.

Athletics. The relay race between Canterbury and the West Coast will be run on March 10th, the second day of the athletic championship. The contest will probably be over ]GSO yards, with half, mile, quarter, 220, aiul 110 to be covered. The West Coast team will probably consist of Steel, Little, Bichardson, and Jamieson. Canterbury athletes and cyclists are reminded that in order to be present for the first day it will be necessary to travel by Thursday's express. SUNSHINE AND RAIN. (SPECIAL TO "THE PEESS."J HOKITTKA, March 3. For the week ending Sunday there were 42 points of rain at Hokitika ana 60 hours of sunshine. Wireleess. A notable achievement with a wireless set was that of Mr W. H. Gifford at Hokitka. On Sunday evenng, using four valves, he succeeded in picking up the Oakland (California) broadcasting station. Speeches and gramophone selections were heard quite distinctly. The two places are about 5000 miles apart, so that the perfoz - mance is a notable one.