WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18677, 28 April 1926, Page 6

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO ''THE PEXSS.") GREYMOUTH, April 27. Messrs J. W. Caldwell (Greymouth). and W. J. Butler (Hokitika) left this rcorniug for Clftistchurch to attend a sawmillers' conference. Mr and Mrs G. Sheldon, of Winchester, -who have been the guests of Mrs E. Heaphy, left on their return by today's express. Mrs H. Hickey, of Hastings, who has been visiting relatives at Grevmouth and Reefton, returned north this morning. Matron Braidwood, of tho Grey Hospital, has resumed duty after extended absence on sick leave. Mrs J. and Miss F. Colloman left to-day for Dunedin. Miss W. C'Jaucy, of the Greymouth Telephone Exchange staff, left to-day for on holiday. Mr C. H. Tringham, of Wellington, chairman of Directors of the lieefton Coal Co., was a visitor to Reei'ton during the week-end. Mr A. B. Williams, of ITawke's Bay, arrived in Reeftou last evening, en route to Murchison. Among the outward passengers by today's express were: Messrs J. E. Williams, F. Drayton, R. Allison, A. G. Sanderson, 'C. A. Smith, H. St. A. Murray, and F. o'Grady. Xurse E. Shadbolt, of the Westlnud Mental Hospital staff, left this xnorning on a holiday trip to Dunedin. Mr E. Macfnrlane, of Sydney, is on a visit to the West Coast, and left Greymouth this afternoon, en route to the Franz Josef Glacier. Mrs W. E. and Miss L. Reynolds, who have been visiting friends in Canterbury, returned to Greymouth this afternoon. The health of Mrs A. Navlor,-who has been seriously ill, has greatly improved during the past few days. Dr. T. F. Telford arrived this afternoon from Christchurch.. Mrs E. A. Wickes returned to Greymouth this afternoon, after an extended trip to Europe. Mrs F. H. Kilgour and Miss H. Kilgour returned from Christchurch this afternoon. Among the inward passengers by today's express were: Messrs D. H. Roberts, H. Moore, J. Webber, W. Stopforth, H. A. Legge, and E. R. Loftus.

Grey HoßpitaJ Board. At the meeting of the Grey Hospital Board the following members were present: Messrs J. W. Hannan (chairman), E. Ashton, J. Brislane, J. Irvine, W. H. Parfitt, W. F. Pullin, and J. Greaney. The Government architect forwarded alternative plans for the proposed alterations and extensions to the hospital building. The Medical Superintendent, Dr. J. P. C. Moore, explained the plans and expressed the opinion that neither of the schemes was entirely satisfactory, as no provision was made for Petrie ward, which was the one in most urgent need of extra accommodation at the present time. After general discussion, it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to wire the Director General of, Health, pointing out the abnormal conditions in regard to. accommodation existing at the hospital, and to ask that the architect of the Department come to Greymouth to consider some alternative to the schemes submitted. It was decided that a house isurgeon be' appointed to the hospital to assist the Medical Superintendent, whose duties were increasing at a rate which made it almost impossible to carry them out. The matter of making the Appointment, and arranging, for accommo-. dation was left in the hands of Dr. Moore. Beefton Coal Mine.

Efforts to quell the fire which has been ragirfg at the Beef ton Coal Mine for some months have so far been unsuccessful. ; The disturbance has . resulted in a.greatly restricted output. The price of Beefton- coal, which is specially adapted for household purposes, advanced last week by 2s 6d and 3s 6d per ton. Magistrate's Court. At a Bitting of the Greymouth Magistrate's Court to-day, Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., presided. William Alfred Corril Rose, who was convicted and discharged yesterday for a breach of his prohibition order, and was subsequently arrested for drunkenness last evening, was sentenced to seveii days' imprisonment. judgment for plaintiff, by default, with costs, was given in each of the following debt cases:—Dalgety and Co., v. Arthur Wilfred and Frederick William Rusa, £5 78; Henry F. Bruhn v. Seddon Chamberlain, £5 7s 3d; H. F. Bruhn v. Thomas G. Sherlock, £6 5s lOd. On a judgment summons, William O'Brien was ordered to pay Dalgety and Co. the sum of £3 17s 9d forthwith, in default seven days' imprisonment. The Weather. Following - a heavy downpour last night, punctuated with thunder and lightning, the Grey river is considerably swollen to-day. One hundred and twenty-three points of rain were recorded at Greymouth for the twentyfour hours ended 'at 9 a.m. to-day. The downpour at Beefton was so heavy last evening that several premises were flooded. The overhead conditions are threatening this evening, 'and the weather continues showery. Superannuation Scheme. The Grey Hospital Board has completed a superannuation scheme, in terms of the National Provident Fund Amendment Act, 1914, in favour of its nursing and clerical staff. Epidemic of Diphtheria. A mild epidemic of diphtheria is prevalent at Greymouth. The cases being dealt with so far are not dangerously severe, but are characterised by intense weakness. Stock for Canterbury. A rake of seventeen double-storeyed tracks, containing sheep and pigs from various parts of Westland, was railed to Addington to-day. Acclimatisation Society. The Westland Acclimatisation Society, which applied for an. open season to take opossums in the district, has been advised by the Departmpnt of Internal Affairs that the recommendation as to the opening and dosing dates have been approved. The necessary order-in-council will be issued at an early date, giving the special regulations governing the season. Memorial to Priest. The ceremony of unveiling the memorial to the late-Bev. Father . Biordan will take place at the Boss cemetery tomorrow morning. The ceremony will be preceded by a memorial service at St. Patrick's "Church, Boss.