WEST COAST NEWS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22143, 13 July 1937, Page 3

WEST COAST NEWS

CYCLIST FAILS TO GIVE WAY FIRST CHARGE OF KIND AT GREYMOUTH CASE BROUGHT AS WARNING The first case of its kind in Greymouth, that of a cyclist failing to give way to traffic approaching on his right, was heard in the Magistrate s Court at Greymouth yesterday, when John Michael Mclntyre was convicted and ordered to pay costs for failing to give way to a motor-cycle approaching on his right at the Cobden bridge. Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., was on the bench. „ , Senior-Sergeant E. Quayle, who prosecuted, said that the charge was laid under the traffic regulations, 1936, and was the first of its kind to be brought in Greymouth. It was brought as a warning to cyclists that they had a responsibility as well as motorists. He said that a man named Donald Fraser was riding a motor-cycle in an easterly direction along Mawhera quay, and on approaching the intersection of the Cobden bridge he saw the defendant riding his cycle. Both appeared on the intersection about the same time, and Fraser naturally thought that the cyclist would give way. To avoid a collision the motorcylist swerved to the right, while the cyclist kept on going. They came into collision 15 feet from the right hand side of the road. Mr J. W. Hannan, for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty, said that the motor-cyclist was about one chain and a half away when the defendant came on to the road. The Magistrate convicted Mclntyre, and ordered him to pay costs. A fine of £2, with an order for costs, was imposed on , Henry Roger Nutsford, who was charged with stealing a brass sluicing nozzle and a quantity of brass fittings of a total value of £2, the property of Westland Power, Ltd. For riding a bicycle at i ’ ht without a light, Mervyn Arthur Gage was fined 10s and ordered to pay costs. F. G. Pryor was fined £2 and ordered to pay costs for failing to clear 30 acres of land of ragwort. A fine of 10s, vith an order for costs on each charge, was imposed on Douglas Butler, who was charged with driving an unregistered motor-cycle without a drivers licence.

Warden’s Court An application by Allan Reginald Perry for two ordinary prospecting licences over two areas, each of 100 acres, in blocks 10 and 11, Waimea survey district, was recommended for the consent of the Minister for Mines by the warden, Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., at a sitting of the Warden’s Court.

COAL MINERS’ AWARD

NO AGREEMENT ON WAGES

An agreement on all points, excepting wages, was reached and the sitting was adjourned until August 9, to enable the parties to refer the question of wages each to their organisation, at a sitting of the Conciliation Council yesterday at Greymouth, which was held to reach an agreement between the Runanga Distrtet Coal Mines Employees’ Union and the Grey District Co-operative Coal Miners’ Union. Mr S. Ritchie, Conciliation Commissioner, presided. • The assessors for the employees were Messrs D. Barnes, A. Houghton, T. Walker, and A. McLagan. For the employers, the assessors were Messrs J. F. Pattinson, R. Knight, and J. Duggan.

RED CROSS SOCIETY AT HOKITIKA SUGGESTED FORMATION QF SUB-CENTRE Mr F. McCabe presided at a meeting held in the Westland County Chambers on Saturday evening to consider the formation of a sub-centre of the Red Cross Society in Hokitika. A number of apologies for non-attend-ance were received.

Mr McCabe outlined what had already been done since the visit of Major Abe] some time ago. The meeting was enthusiastic about the proposal, and it was considered desirable to have the organisation as representative as possible. It was decided to circularise all societies, associations, and local bodies in the town inviting each to appoint a representative on the committee. It was also resolved to get further information from headquarters regarding various aspects of the activities of the Red Cross. It was stated that a sub-centre had been formed in Greymouth and the possibilities existed for the forming of a centre for the whole of the West Coast. As soon as the appointed delegates of the various organisations are received, a further meeting will be called. Mr A. C. Armstrong was appointed honorary secretary.

FUNERAL MB H. K. WILLIAMS Representatives from local bodies and sports organisations all over the district attended the funeral of Mr Hillas Kim Williams, which was held at the Karoro cemetery on Sunday. There were more than 80 motor-cars in the procession, and there were many cars at the cemetery. Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church on Saturday morning by the Rev. Father G. Daly, of Addington, who also conducted the service at the church and the graveside on Sunday afternoon. At the church Father Daly was assisted by the Very Rev. Father J. Long, and at the graveside by the Rev. Fathers Holohan and Finerty.

INANGAHUA SILVER BAND OFFICERS ELECTED FOR YEAR The Inangahua Silver Band held its thirty-sixth annual meeting at Reefton on Sunday morning. In the absence of the president (Mr F W. Archer), Mr H. L. Ribinson presided. The report of the year’s work showed that the band had an increased membership. Improvements would shortly be commenced at the room. The bal-ance-sheet showed a slight increase in income on the previous season. The hand was in a sound financial position. The election of officers resulted:— Patron. Mr E. Nicholson; president, Mr F W. Archer; bandmaster, Mr H. L. Robinson; deputy-bandmaster, Mr W. Sara; treasurer, Mr A. G. Reid; secretary, Mr E. Baird; conductor, Mr E. Elliston; sergeant. Mr P. Galway; corporal, Mr R. Baird; lance-corporals, Messrs D. Robertson and J. Lawn: drum-major, Mr T. Baird; librarians, Messrs W. Honey and J. Earl; vicepresidents, Messrs S. Newcombe, M. O’Malley, C. Cleaver, C. Lawn, and Mrs L Stallard.

HEAVY RAIN AT GREYMOUTH

NEARLY TWO INCHES IN FIVE HOURS NO SERIOUS DAMAGE DONE The heaviest rainfall for a considerable time, 1.80 inches, was recorded at Greymouth yesterday morning. There was flooding in the streets in the lower areas, the storm drains being inadequate to cope with the downpour, especially between 10 o’clock and ll o’clock. , . , .. In many of the streets, including the lower part of Tainui street, Alexander street, Shakespeare street. Leonard street and William street, the water backed up to a considerable depth, and at the intersection of Murray and Alexander streets water entered five houses. In Shakespeare street, near the Town belt, the road was completely covered. Blockages to the drains near the post office caused the water to back up there, and the water reached almost to the steps of the building. The water was level with the running boards of motor-cars parked in Guinness street. The rainfall for the 48 hours ended 9 o’clock yesterday morning was 1.34 inches, but about 9.30 a.m. a heavy downpour set in. and by 2 o’clock the fall was 1.80 inches. As well as the backing up of the water in the streets rain leaked into some business premises through the roof. All work was stopped on the wharf.

Poolta Breaks Mooring The Grey river was not in flood, but the north-westerly seas running directly into the harbour entrance caused an abnormal surge in the river, and on Saturday night the Poolta broke lone of her moorings and began to drift from the wharf, but the mishap

was instantly noticed, and the shit quickly returned to her berth. Accord ing to custom the mooring lines hac been slackened at low water, but th< lines eased themselves much more that was expected. The strain put on thi heavily loaded vessel by the surgini snapped one of the coir moorini springs. The heavy seas on the coast sid< carried away part of the protectioi fence on the west side of the Blake town aerodrome, and debris was de posited on the road inside the fence Snipping has been decayed by the seas and the Poolta has been bar-boum since Friday evening. The Hokitika am the Gael are also in port, unable ti sail, and the Piri is in the roadstead waiting for the seas to moderate be fore berthing. General cargo which th KaruNbrought from Wellington on Sun day has not yet been discharged, am the Titoki was unable to load a carg> of coal yesterday

The rain eased in the afternoon, and unless similar heavy rain fell in the back country it is unlikely that the Grey river will flood. FOOTBALLER’S BROKEN LEG David Mann, of Karamea, a single man, aged 23. was admitted to the Buller Hospital during the week-end with a broken leg, suffered during a football match at Karamea on Saturday. His condition is satisfactory.