OUR REEFTON LETTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 April 1904, Page 3

OUR REEFTON LETTER.

(Our Own Correspondent.) Mr Daniel M. Anderson, of Glcnburnio Farm, Rcefton, returned to town on Friday last, after a visit extending over a fortnight to the Marian Springs, where he had been for the benefit of iris health. For some time P‘ ls t the gentleman lias suffered somewhat considerably from an attack of rheumatism, principally affecting the left shoulder and arm, so that he was unable to lift the arm above his breast. Mr Anderson states that the road which is formed for about seventeen

miles from Reef ton is in very good order, from thence to where you arrive on the open plains (eight miles from the springs) it is simply along the river beds and bush tracks, thereby making travelling very uncomfortable. On arriving at the springs, in company with Mr Brett, the county engineer, ho found at the building, which is tho property of tixe Inangahua County Council, the following persons : Mr and Mrs Holman Lyell, Mr G. B. Shepherd (Rcefton), Mr Huddlestono (school teacher, Murchison), Mr and Mrs Macilquaharn and boy (Murchison), and Masters E. Rosser and Frank Bell (Murchison). The building, which is about 30ft x 10ft, consists of three rooms, one for married people, and one containing five bunks for the men, together with a kitchen for cooking, etc. Mr and Mrs Holman had already been there for the previous two weeks, both being crippled up with rheumatism and sciatica.

■J.wo holes were dug out, Largo enough for a person to lie in over the springs, the temperature of the water varying from 102 deg to 117 clog. The patients generally, took three baths daily, remaining in the water from 12 to 25 minutes, and owing to the distance from the springs to the hut, they erected a tout close by, the ground being covered with ferns and bags. On emerging from the bath, iio would wrap himself in his blanket, ami ..e down in the tent for about half an hour, until the perspiration would run out in streams, after which he would return to the hut. Mr Anderson used to take his first bath at six o’clock in the morning, often with the sleet falling, yet he did not suffer any inconvenience from the same. He also made the practice of drinking at least a quart of the water each day, as hot as ho could possibly take it. He speaks in the highest terms of the efficacy of the springs, as ho has derived a great deal of benefit from his sojourn there, being now able to move his arm freely, and although the pain is not altogether gone, yet ho is considerably relieved. Mr and Mrs Holman also returned to their homes wonderfully improved. It is a great pity that the road is not made right through, as at the present time those who most need the treatment cannot get there owing to the roughness of the journey. Efforts should be again made by the Council to get the Government to erect a bath house at; the springs, as the method at present is of the most primitive style, and whenever a flood takes place everything is washed away and covered up with silt, etc., necessitating fresh holes being dug.

A large congregation was present at both the morning and evening services in the Methodist Church, Reefton, to hear the Rev. Mr Voalie, the new pastor. In the evening the reverend gentleman took for his text, Ephesians flf., 19, “And to know the love of Christ,” delivering a most interesting discourse. A social to welcome Mr and Mrs Vealie will he held on Wednesday evening next in the church, to commence at 8 p.m. The ministers of the various other denominations will

be present, and tho choir, assisted by several other well-known vocalists, will render anthems, songs, etc. Refreshments will also be provided. On Thursday evening next Bishop Ridley, of North-west America, and the 'Rev. Dr Maynard Daino, of Cairo, Egypt, will hold a meeting in the Theatre Royal under tho auspices of the New Zealand Church Missionary Association, when we (lope to see a large attendance.

Tho lout' >st jkiium 1 bicycle race organised by our Gronadun friends came off on Saturday last, the weather being simply perfect, with little or no wind blowing, and the roads in first-class order. A start was made from Grenada n shortly after three o’clock, the following being the list of competitors: —F. J. Monat, 11. Lochore and J. J. Walshe, scr; L. I’. Walshc, 40sec ; lit. Ford, smin ; J. Byworth, 6min ; O. S. Green, R. Campbell, Bmin ; IT. Lockington, E. F. Lockington, A. Lowe, 9min; F. Goghlan, J. Brazil, lOmin ; J. Slattery, B. Knowsloy, llmin; J. Cornerford, 12min—seventeen in all. The race was from Grenadan to the Inangahua Landing, back to Grenadan, then on to Roefton, and returning again to Cronadun, a distance of 31 miles. As tins time drew night for the competitors, to arrive at Reefton, a largo crowd had assembled outside the Criterion Hotel (which was tho turning point). The first to arrive was tho two Lockingtons, after several minutes I*. Ooghlan pat in an appearance, with Green and Campbell close behind; then Cornerford arrived, but he found ho had had quilo enough, and with no possible chance of winning, he did not return to Grenadan. Shortly after the scratch men, Mowat and J. .1. Walshe, with T. J, Walshe (40sec) arrived, going at a tremendous pace, but with not the slightest hope of overtaking the two Lockingtons, who by this time were fully seven minutes ahead. Tho following is the result:—ll. Lockington (Drain), Ihr min 51sec, 1; E. F. Lockington (Drain), Ihr 40min 52sec, 2; F. J. Monatt (scr), Ihr 35min 6sec, 3; T. J. Walshe (40sec), Ihr 35min 48sec. 4; O. S. Green (Bmin), Ihr 39min lOsec, 5. Several of the remainder of tho competitors did not finish. IT. Lochore, of whom great hopes were entertained, had tho misfortune for his chain to lift off the crank near Milligan’s putting him completely out of the race. A few of the riders tried to ride through Boatman’s Greek, and immediately canie to grief, one of them taking a complete header in the middle of the creek, and on coming to the surface of tho water, found his head through the diamond part of tho frame of tho machine. Beyond severely damaging the bike, he *uffered very little injury,