WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20143, 23 January 1931, Page 4

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL.

(special TO Tflt pttfiss.) • GREYMOUTH, January 22. Mr H. Vickerman, consultant to the Grey Power Board, left to-day to return to Wellington. , Mr' and Mrs Farqtialiar Young, who have been- visiting the Glaciers, returned to-day to Christehurch. Mr J. S. Robertson. returned by this afternoon's express after a holiday visit to Central'Otago. Mrs Hairy Beck will leave on Tuesday, February 3rd, for Vancouver, where she will live. Mr W. A. Gilbert left this morning on bis way to Samoa, where he has accepted an appointment. Miss Vera Parkinson, who has been visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs F. J. Parkinson, left to-day to return to Wellington. Tho Rev. H. R, Fell and Mrs Fell, who have been spending a holiday in Auckland, returned v to-day. Mr and Mrs L. F. Casey, who have been visiting South Canterbury, returned to-day. Mrs_ M. Moore and Miss Noelene Wormington, who have been on holiday ip Christehurch, roturned to-day to Hokitika. Obituary. The death occurred early this morning, after a short illness, of Mr Elias (Tim) Kear, aged 44 years. Mr Kear had been-employed as a telegraphist in tho Post Office at Greymoutli practically Over since he joined Mid Department. His death followed pneumonia. He waß a talentod violinist and a member of. the Masonic fraternity. He. leaves a wife, and three young children, .and is also survived by his mother, Mts E. Kear, two sisters, Mrs Phil Andorson (Inver : cargill), and Mrs R. Stewart (Christchurch), and two brothers, Mr Howard Kear (Railway Department), and Mr 11. Kear (Stratford). Accidents. A sedan motor-car containing four women occupants ran off the road about two miles on the Greymouth side of Kokiri about six o'clock last evening. "One of tho occupants of tho car, Mrs M. Gore, received serious head injuries and extensive cuts about tho face. She was taken to the Grey Hospital, where slio was to undergo an operation to-day. Mrs T. King, of Runanga, another occupant of the car, recoivod a deep cut on the cheek, and was suffering from shock. She was able to go to her home. The other occupants were not injured. Hughie Allon, 14 years of age, met with an accident ip. Cass square, Hokitika, last ovening. He was cycling on the track when he was thrown head foremost to tho hard asphalt and rendered unconscious. Ho was sent to the Westland Hospital. He received some scalp wounds as woll as abrasions on the hands and knees. Defective Scales. At the Kumara Magistrate's Court .'yesterday, Mr W. Mcldrum, S.M., presiding, the "inspector of and : measures, Mr F. G. Davios, proceeded against John Hurren, storekeeper (Mr .J, A.. Murdoch), for using defective scales. Tho inspector stated that he visited defendant about twelve months ago and pointed out the defect. He visited again in May, after which he sent Hurren letters of warning. He made a' visit last November when it was found that no improvement had been mado in tho scales. A further recent visit still found no adjustment. The Magistrate registered a conviction and fined defendant ,4§B with costs. Pound Bead. After being missing for some hours ; yesterday, Isaac Gardener, a farm hand, a single man, aged 52 years, was found : dead in one of the paddocks on tho farm of his employer, Mr Gordon Blair, at Patara, last evening.. Gardener was a native of the Wost "Coast and worked ■ on Various farms' throughout the district. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs Machin, of Petone, and Mrs Fagan, wife of tho Hon. Mark Fagan, of Wellington. An inquest will bo held tomorrow. The Mines. All the mines in .the district were working to-day. The Brunner and State mines will work to-morrow. . Bailway Traffic. The express to Christehurch to-day carried 215 passengers, 240 arriving this afternoon from Christehurch. The inward passengers included a party of twelve tennis players from Christehurch who are playing matches at Greymouth, Hokitika, Rcefton, and Westport. Cycle Race. The cycle road race from Reefton to Brazils corner and back, held last evening was won by C. Aiding (lmin 35sec). R. Hewinson (40sec) was second, and C. Coxall (scr) was third. The lastnamed mado tho fastest time. Main Highway. Mr T. A. Johnston, District Engineer of the Public Works Department, states that the washout on the main highway between Inangahua Junction and Murchison (Lyell road) has been temporarily repaired and the road is open for traffic. The main highway between Otira and Arthur's Pass, which was considerably . damaged by the recent heavy rainfall, will not be available for traffic until further notice. Cars can get through from the West Coart to Otira in fine weather only. The temporary track traverses the river bed and is practicable only when the streams are low. In wet weather cars going to Otira and to Canterbury will still have to bo trucked at Aiclcen's. Bowling. A three-rinks match was played yesterday afternoon at the . Greymouth green between Greymouth. and Hokitika rinks. The visitors won by 05 to 57. The results were, Hokitika players being mentioned first. Nankorville, Bruce, Breeze, Wilson (s) 19, v. T. Scott, J. Kyle, J. Truscott, Whibley (s) 18; Lakin,.Stuart, Conning, Stevenson (s) 24 v. Chalk, Stevenson, Graham, Fletcher (s) 18; King, Kerr, Hoffman, Benjamin (s) 22 v. R. Smith, Crooks, W. Scott, McKay . (s) 21. Unemployment. The Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade) stated to-day that many requests for assistance were being received just now. In many cases requests .were made for just sufficient to buy bread. The number of registrations in Greymouth totals about 250. To-day the Prime Minister telegraphed to the Mayor and chairman of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce, regarding their request for the extension of the Kumara Junction-Flowery Creek road as an unemployment relief work, as follows: "Have received your telegram and note the suggestions regarding the completion of the Kumara JunctionFlowery Creek road. Am going into the matter with the Minister" for Public Works, and will write you again later." The Mayor has also applied for a further grant to relievo unemployment. Magistrate's Court. A sitting "of the' Hokitika Magistrate's Court was held to-day, Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., presiding. E. Webster, licensee of- Longford Hotel, on a charge of exposing liquor for'

sale, and Eric S. J. Graham'(barman), on a charge of selling, after hours, pleaded guilty. The former was fined 40s and costs 12s, and the latter 20s and costs 10s. Emily Growcott (Mr Elcock) was charged with concealment of birth on December sth. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate said he was quite satisfied that no jury would convict on the evidence given, and the charge was dismissed. Hospital Board. The Grey Hospital Board met this evening. Present were Messrs J. Hannan (chairman), G. R. Harker, H. G. Carter, R. Barrowman, F. L. Turley, R. McTaggart, J. Brislane, and Mrs O'Brien. It was resolved that the secretary should keep a waiting list of applicants for positions as probationers in his office for reference by the members of the Board. The Department of Health'wrote that as no further subsidy could bo paid this year the Board should apply for an extension of its bank overdraft to £SOOO, which was authorised. Dr. Macintyre advised that he would visit Greymouth on February 11th. The Board's balance-sheet for last year was returned from the Audit Department duly certified. The Matron reported that Sister Holgate - and Nurse Bray had resigned, and that Probationers Warren and Coe were not continuing. The Medical Superintendent reported that Dr. Russell Fraser had accepted the position of house surgeon until the end of March. Mr H. Rattray's offer to aet as honorary dental surgeon to the Hospital was accepted with thanks. It was decided to call a conference of delegates from West Coast Hospitals and the West Coast Timber Workers' Unions to discuss an agreement for Hos- ; pital treatment and feos. j The Governor-General. On the occasion of the visit of the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe to Greymouth next week arrangements have been made for the entertainment of the Vice-Regal party by the West Coast Farmers' Union on Friday evening, January 30th. Owing to the indisposition of the Mayoress, Mrs J. W. Greonslade, Lady Bledisloe during her stay in Greymouth, and the wives of local bodies' members will be entertained at the residence of Mr and Mrs' F. A. Kitchingham. Valedictory. A pleasant ceremony took place at the Mental Hospital, •Hokitika, on Wednesday evening, when the members of the staff met to bid farewell and make a presentation to Nurse Armstrong, who is shortly to be married. The presentation, which consisted of an afternoon tea sot, forks, and spoons, and fish knives and forks, was made by Dr. Hayes, who referred to . Miss Armstrong's excellent qualities as a nurse, and expressed his regret at losing a member of the staff so well qualified. Mr F. Freitas expressed Nurse Armstrong's thanks and appreciation for the gifts. Athletic Association. A meeting was held in Westport last evening for the purpose of fbrming an Amateur Athletic Association. The following officers were elected:—President, Dr. Foote; vice-president, Reg. Hickford; committee, Messrs D. ITook, Raynor, H. Johnston, J. Caldwell, T. Marr, with power to add; secretary, Mr C. Cumminga; treasurer, Mr M. O'Dea,