WEST COAST NEWS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21961, 9 December 1936, Page 3

WEST COAST NEWS

TRIBUTES TO WORK OF MAGISTRATE

FAREWELL SPEECHES TO MR H. MORGAN

friendly relations with

MEMBERS OF BAR

After three years on the West Coast circuit, Mr H. Morgan, S.M., yesterday presided for the last time over a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, before his transfer on promotion to Timaru.

After the one case set down for hearing had been dealt with, members of the bar, police, and court staff paid tribute to Mr Morgan’s work on the Coast. The members of the bar desired to express their regret at Mr Morgan’s impending departure, and to thank him for the kindly way in which he had always listened to them, said Mr J. W. Hannan. They felt that those who presided on the bench, and had to listen to both sides, must be endowed with a special gift. Mr Morgan had displayed that gift, and during the whole of the time that Mr Morgan had presided at the Greymouth Court, there had .never been a “breeze” between the bench and the bar, and they appreciated that fact. They understood that his move to Timaru meant promotion, continued Mr Hannan, but they thought that the duties of a magistrate in towns of larger population were not as onerous as those of the magistrate and warden •in a mining district of the importance of the West Coast If the department realised the importance of the mining industry, they might have Mr Morgan back as a senior magistrate. Mining Litigation The mining industry was just developing into a boom when Mr Morgan arrived in Greymouth, and there was, a forest of litigation such as he thought no other ward V, had had to cope with in the last 40 years, said Mr F. A. Kitchingham. That litigation had become before Mr Morgan where he had jurisdiction equal t the Supreme Court, and it had imposed on him a very considerable strain, as well as on counsel. It had also made a tremendous demand on Mr Morgan and members of the bar were very grateful for the time andenergy which Mr Morgan had devoted to the settlement of that litigation. The Coast circuit was a difficult one which entailed much travelling that made inroads into the magistrate’s time, said Mr T. F. Brosnan. Nevertheless Mr Morgan had conscientiously endeavoured to give full consideration to everything that was said. Appreciation of the kindness extended to the Greymouth police while he had been in Greymouth, was expressed by Senior-Sergeant E. Quayle. Regret at Mr Morgan’s departure was expressed by the Clerk of the Court (Mr F. Bird), who said that because of Mr Morgan’s leadership they had been a happy team in the office. Mr Morgan’s Reply In reply, Mr Morgan said that he had been in Greymouth for three years, and during those three yea>s he had been very happy, not only in his official capacity, but in his -social and private life. He had had no regrets at coming to Greymouth, and being magistrate on the Coast. The courtesy and consideration that had been extended to him by the community of the Coast was very much appreciated. The travelling had been one of the worst features of the work on the Coast, continued Mr Morgan. Probably on the Coast the magistrate and warden had' further distances to travel than any other magistrate. His district extended from Westport to Matainui, a distance of about 200 miles. Later the staff of the court gathered to say good-bye to Mr Morgan, and Mr Bird made him a present of a Pipe* - ’ Mr Morgan will leave for Timaru on Monday. TRIBUTES TO MR R. MCLAREN TECHNICAL SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TO RETI&E Reference to the excellent work done by Mr R. McLaren as principal of the Greymouth Technical High School was made at a meeting of the Board of Governors on Monday night. Mr McLaren is to retire at the end of this year. The chairman of the board, Mr T. E. Coates said that the school would undou&f differ through Mr McLaren’s retirement. Mr McLaren had since he had been at the school taken a great interest in its affairs. He will be missed at the board meetings and at the school. Mr Coates wished him luck and long McLaren said, in reply, that his sojourn in Greymouth had been a happy one. The hardest time had been during the depression, and the hostel work had then been hardest. He thanked the board for its courtesy, and said that his relations with the staff had been cordial. OBITUARY MR C. J. P. SELLERS The death has occurred at Hokitika of Mr Charles J. P. Sellers, after a long illness. Mr Sellers, who was a native of Hokitika, was 58 years of age. He was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, and afterwards returned to Hokitika and entered the office of Mr T. W. Beare, solicitor. W,hen Mr Beare left the district Mr Sellers took over the practice. He was actively interested in various sports and was a member of the executive of the Wpstland Racing Club and the Westland Trotting Club for many years. He served in the Great War. He was unmarried and leaves one brother, Mr Frederick Sellers, of Wellington. AUSTRALIAN SWIMMERS TO VISIT WESTPORT CARNIVAL TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY The coming visit of the Australian champion swimmers to Westport on Friday next is being made the occasion of a swimming carnival in the public baths in the evening. In addition to the Australian title-holders, Derek Symes, New Zealand champion, will also be seen in action*

EMPLOYMENT OF OLDER BOYS

ATTITUDE OF EMPLOYERS DISCUSSED

TECHNICAL SCHOOL BOARD SUPPORTS TIMARU

Concern that, because of the recent legislation, employers seemed diffident about employing older boys, was expressed by the Timaru High School Board in a letter received by the Greymouth Technical High School Board of Governors, at its monthly meeting on Monday, with Mr T. E. Coates presiding. The board said that it felt that some special provision should be made to deal with these special cases, as it was considered that the legislation would be detrimental to the efficiency of secondary education if it resulted in pupils leaving school at too early an age. Mr Coates said that he was sure that members of the board agreed with the letter. The boys who left school early were left stranded in three or four years. Mr A. E. Morgan asked whether it was not a matter for the Technical Association. The association had already made representations on the matter, said the chairman. It was decided to approve of the suggestion in the letter. The resignation of Mr L. Francis, assistant In woodwork instruction and drawing, was accepted with regret Jnd it was decided to meet on December 14 to appoint a teacher to fill the vacancy. To replace Mr P. R, Kanis, who will leave soon to make a 12 months’ tour of England and Europe, seven applications were received. It was decided to appoint Mr W. S, H. Wick, B.Sc., of Runanga, It was agreed to recommend that Mr G. Mitchell should be appointed first assistant master in place of Mr Kania' The opinion that school games should be kept as school games, was e'.pressed by Mr A, A. Adams. He noticed that in the headmaster’s report there was a Soccer team composed of old and present pupils. He did not think there could be the same control over the pupils when a team was composed half of old pupils and half of present pupils. Mr Adams said that they did not want to have schoolboys “on the mat” before sports bodies. The chairman said that he took it that the whole board agreed with Mr Adams. GREYMOUTH WARDEN’S COURT A certificate of easement, for a tail race in respect of land comprised in a special alluvial claim held under license number 194/35, situated in Block IX., Waiwhero Survey District, was granted, subject to the conditions filed, by Mr H. Morgan, S.M., in the Warden’s Court at Greymouth yesterday. The application was made by James Leonard Bourke, John William Bourke, and Clarence Bourke.