WEST COAST NEWS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21641, 27 November 1935, Page 5

WEST COAST NEWS

GREYMOUTH MAGISTRATE'S COURT (SPECIAL TO THI PRESS.)' GREYMOUTH, November 26. There was a long sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Greymouth yesterday, with Mr H. Morgan, S.M., presiding. A first offender, found on licensed premises after hours, was fined £1 and ordered to pay costs. For being in pbssession of an unlicensed wireless set. Edward John Hill was fined £1 and ordered to pay costs. On the information of the apiary inspector (Mr G. F. Page). John Lewellyn Davies was lined £1 and ordered to pay costs for being in possession of an unlicensed apiary at Blackball. For riding unlighted cycles after sunset William Robertson and Louis Zampese, who pleaded not guilty, were each fined 7s 6d and ordered to pay costs. Appearing on remand, Vivian Clarence Sheahan, 25, was charged with being intoxicated in charge of a car, and with converting to his own use, but not so as to be guilty of theft, a motor-car valued at £2BO. the property of Thomas Bell Howson. The accused, who was represented by Mr T. F. Brosnan, pleaded not guilty to bcth charges. The Magistrate convicted the accused for being intoxicated in charge, and inflicted a fine of £4 with costs. On the charge of conversion he held that the accused had reasonable cause for thinking that he had the implied consent of Howson to use the car. and accordingly he dismissed the case. On the information of the Main Highways Traffic Inspector, J. H. Clark, Eric Arthur Henderson Bunt (Mr A. H. Paterson), who pleaded not guilty, was fined £2 and ordered to pay costs, for driving a car in a dangerous manner, on the GreymouthRunanga highway.

Albert Alexander Irtmside (Mr A. H. Paterson) was charged, on the information of Traffic Inspector Clark, with driving a car in a negligent manner, on the Reefton-Greymouth highway. The defendant pleaded not guilty, claiming that the offence was caused through a defect in the steering gear. The magistrate dismissed the charge, saying that there was a doubt concerning the steering, and he would give the benefit to the defendant. Thomas Atkin Gardyne was charged (1) with driving a car without being the holder of a driver's license, (2) with driving negligently, (3) with failing to report an accident involving injury to Robert Oliver Crawford. The defendant pleaded guilty to the first and third chargfes. and not guilty to the second. After hearing evidence the magistrate convicted him on all charges. On the charge of negligent driving he was fined £2, and on all charges was ordered to pay costs. Charles Augustus Green (Mr T. F. Brosnan) was charged with the disobedience of a maintenance order, providing for the payment of 25s a week for his five children in the care of the State, the arrears under which amounted to £177 lis 7d. He applied for remission of the arrears and variation of the order. The magistrate refused to vary the order, but remitted the arrears with the exception of £SO. On the charge of disobedience of the order he was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, the warrant not to issue so long as he pays 5s a week off the arrears, in addition to the current maintenance. An affiliation order was made against James Galway, who did not appear, on the application of a Blackball woman, who was represented by Mr Brosnan. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court a boy, aged 12, was committed to the care of the Child Welfare Officer for 18 months, for the theft, with two other boys, of £l7 16s 4d from tho office of the Greymouth Trotting Club and for the theft of 4s 9d on one occasion and lid on another occasion from the office of Messrs Guinness and Kitchingham. The two other boys, aged 13 and 16 years, were admonished and discharge'd for the theft of the £l7 16s 4d, and on another occasion, for the theft from the Trotting Club's office of racebooks valued at £2 10s. The parents said they had dealt severely with the boys, and undertook to refund the money not recovered, about £4 10s.

Two boys, for riding unlighted cycles after sunset, were fined 7s 6d and 5s respectively, one of them being employed. Borough Rates At a special meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last evening, at which the Mayor (Mr W. Meldrum) presided, it was decided, on the motion of Crs. A. H. McKane and J. B. Kent, to alter the water rating system in the borough from 6-5-4 per cent, on the annual value to 4-3-2 per cent., from April 1 next, thus reducing the water rate. It was further decided that the councillors should attend a meeting of ratepayers in Cobden on Monday night to explain the loan pro-

posal for a water supply in Cobden, and also the new rating system. Post Office Improvement As a result of representations from the Greymouth Business Association, the Post and Telegraph authorities have decided to place a letter posting box. at the main counter of the Post Office, to obviate the necessity of walking back from the counter to the posting box in the lobby facing Tainui cfrppf Fall From Cycle Joseph Jackson, of Herbert street, was thrown heavily to the footpath, in front of the Westland Breweries bottling stores yesterday afternoon, through losing control of the cycle he was riding, while descending Griffen's Hill. The cycle struck the kerb, and Jackson was thrown over the handle bars. He was rendered unconscious, and received attention from Dr. W. A. Bird, but apparently did not suffer any serious injury, being able to go to his home later. Slip at Dunollie Shortly after the 6.45 a.m. train from Greymouth had passed, conveying about 200 miners to Rewanui, a large piece of papa rock crashed down on the line, about one and a half miles above the Dunollie station, yesterday morning. The rock, which possibly was loosened by the vibration of the train, blocked tne line for some time, delaying the train from Rewanui half an hour. Oddfellows' Lodge The half yearly meeting of the M.U. 1.0.0. F., was held last evening, with N.G. Bro. J. Brailsford presiding. Officers elected for the ensuing six months were:—N.G., Bro. J. Allen; 1.P.N.G., Bro. J. Brailsford; V.G., Bro. G. Long; Elective Secretary, Bro. L. Hutchinson; Inside Guardian, Bro. L. Dumbleton; warden, Bro. T. Tarrant; auditors, Bros. F. Congreve and A. L. McKay; caretaker, Bro. R. Seddon; social committee, officers of the lodge, with power to add. Juvenile Lodge:— President, Mr L. Hutchinson; vice-pre-sidents, Bros. F. Duffy, J. Allen, G. Long; treasurer, Bro. F. Congreve; secretary. Bro. W. Green; auditors, Bros. A. L. McKay, A. Warnes; medical committee, Bros. F. Congreve, W. Clarke, and J. Laing.

HOKITIKA I OPENING OF NEW CHURCH j (BFICUL TO TUB PRESS.) HOKITIKA, November 25. The new Presbyterian Church in Hokitika, the Scots' Memorial Church, was officially opened yesterday afternoon. Although extra seating accommodation had been provided, it proved inadequate, and many persons had to stand. There was a good parade of returned men, who marched to the church. A break in the unpleasant weather enabled the first part of the service to be held outside, where a psalm was sung by the congregation, after which the Rev. Murray Feist read a passage of Scripture, said a prayer, and then asked Mrs Urquhart, one of the oldest members of the congregation, to unlock the door of the church. The service inside was begun by the Rev. L. S. Dewar, of Ross, and an address was given by the Rev. H. R. Fell, of Greymouth, who spoke of the services and sacrifices of those who had served in the war. The roll of honour at the back of the church was unveiled by Mrs H. Wilson, of Humphreys, whose three sons are named on the roll. "Last Pest" and "Reveille" were sounded by Bandsman L. Ross. Mr Feist concluded the service, reciting a verse of Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen." Wet Weather For the fifth week-end in succession there has been wet and unpleasant weather in Hokitika. Tennis fixtures were interrupted, and a start has not yet been made with the cricket competitions. Very strong southerly winds have been blowing, and during yesterday there were many heavy falls of hail.

Boxing Tournament The Hokitika Boxing Association has approved of the following programme for the tournament to be held in the swimming baths on December 30 as part of the festival fortnight celebrations: — Special six-round bouts between Cox (Greymouth) and Johnson (Hokitika), and Craig (Hokitika) and Millar (Ashburton). Three-round bouts: J. Ashley v. Stoop, K. Coulson v. G. Bell, C. Howat v. S. Bell. A six-round wrestling bout between Blanchfield (Greymouth) and Evans (Hokitika) was also approved. It was decided to make arrangements for another youths' tournament. Political Address Mr J. O'Brien received an attentive hearing from a fair attendance of electors at the Town Hall this evening. He answered a number of questions at the conclusion, and was accorded a vote of thanks.

REEFTON MAN INJURED (SPBCUI. TO THB PBESS.) REEFTON, November 25. While assembling a wheel for a motor truck, on Saturday afternoon, a garage proprietor, J. Osborne, received painful injuries to his face, when the tyre burst, the rim striking him in the face. He was rendered semi-conscious and was attended to by Dr. Wicken, who ordered his removal to the hospital. The injured man is reported to be progressing satisfactorily. Buller Election Mr P. C. Webb, the Labour candidate for Buller, addressed -a crowded audience at the Criterion Theatre on Sunday evening. Mr F. W. Archer presided and thanked Mr Webb for the assistance rendered the Reefton district in the past. At the conclusion of his speech Mr Webb received a vote of thanks and confidence in himself and the Labour party. The Weather Wintry weather prevailed in Reefton during the week-end, heavy rain falling throughout, accompanied by a bitterly cold wind. At the Big River

about three inches of snow fell, making transport by car very precarious. All cricket matches were postponed. Swimming Club Mr J. Crossman presided at a meeting of the committee of the Reefton Swimming ClVb, when the charges for the season were fixed as follows:—Men 6s. women 3s, children under 12 Is 6d, under 16 3s. The appointment of Mr L>. Dobson as caretaker was confirmed and the wages were fixed as previously. The opening day was fixed for Monday. Annual Ball There was a large attendance at the Inangahua Women's Institute annual ball held at Clarke's Hall, Inangahua Junction. The music for the dancing was played by the Broadway Boys' Band, and Mr Pupich was master of ceremonies. Tennis Match Teams of women from the Thistle and Reefton Tennis Clubs played a match on the Thistle court on Saturday afternoon, resulting in a win lor Keefton by 49 games to 46. The following were the results (Thistle names first): — Singles—Miss I. Rollerson 4, Miss Inwood 6; Miss Henry 3, Miss Noble 6; Miss Burns 6, Miss Paul 0; Mrs Dufl 6, Mrs EcKlund 0; Mrs Findlay 6, Mrs Lawry 0; Miss Patterson 0, Miss McVicar 6; Miss O. Rollerson 0, Mrs Potter 6; Miss Wetson 1, Mrs Sharpe 6. Doubles—Misses I. Rollerson and Henry 6, Misses Inwood and Noble 3; Mesdames Duff and Findlay 6, Misses

Paul and McVicar 3; Misses Burns and Watson 6, Mesdaroes Lawry and Ecklund 4; Misses O. Rollerson and Patterson 2, Mesdame? Sharpe and Potter 6. Personal Miss L. King, of the National Bank staff, has left for Christchurch and Wellington on her annual leave. , Mr C. E. Potter, who spent his holidays in the North Island, has returned to Reefton. HARI HARI WOMEN'S INSTITUTE (SFKCUL TO TBB PBISS.) HARI HARI, November 25. At the monthly meeting of the Hari Hari Women's Institute, Mrs J. McKay presided. Mrs T. Ferguson gave an interesting account of the federation meeting. A demonstration on bouquet making was given by Mrs St. George. A one-act play, "Mr Samson," was •read by Mesdames J. McKay, C. Searle, and W. Sharpe. Some plants grown from seed sent from the link in England were distributed for growing. The competition for a bowt of dimmer flowers was won by Mrs Berry and Mrs Rowley.