REEFTON NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1940, Page 10

REEFTON NOTES

(OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT.) REEFTON, September 17. There has been a fresh fall of snow on the mountain ranges around Reefton, and on Monday morning the snow line was at a low level. The tree tops on the west bank of the Inangahua River below the town were lightly coated with snow. Mounts Ajax and Albert are heavily laden with snow, and it was very cold all day. The death occurred at Auckland of Mr John F. Clark, who was for many years Reefton’s permanent night watchman. Deceased, who removed to the North Island with his family, some 20 years ago is survived by his widow, one son, Cecil, and a daughter, Mrs Richardson.

Mr W. B. Auld, treasurer of the Inangahua County Patriotic Fund, acknowledges receipt of £l/1/- from St. Stephen’s Anglican Church. Miss S. T. Morris acknowledges the sum of £l, being monthly instalment to the Sick and Wounded Fund, from Messrs S. Griggs and P. Galway. At a sitting of. the Warden’s Court, to-day, Mr G. G. Chisholm presided, and heard the following applications: W. T. Strand for a special quartz claim.—Recommended. Mr J. Webster for an ordinary prospecting license.—Recommended. Mr A. E. Dunstall for an ordinary prospecting license.—Granted. Mr ,R. T. Cooper for an ordinary prospecting license. — Granted. • *

At a sitting of the Magistrate’s Court, Mr G. G. Chisholm, S.M., presided. .Transport Nelson Ltd. (Mr Patterson) pleaded guilty to two charges brought by Traffic Inspector Hill. For carrying a load in excess of that allowed by their heavy traffic license, they were convicted and fined £2 with costs 10/-, and for exceeding axle weights on a heavy motor lorry they were fined 10/- with costs 10/-. Keith Hall for operating a heavy motor lorry at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour was fined £2 with costs 12/-. Joseph Comparin for allowing a cow to wander on the road was fined 5/- with costs 10/-. The Magistrate commented that it was his intention to tighten up the fine for this class of offence. Cattle wandering was much too common in the district.

Hannah H. E. Banks and Joseph Comparin were charged tinder the sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908, that they sold milk; . containing 12 per cent, of added water. Both were convicted,’-each being fined £3, with costs 17/-.

Guseppi Comparin (Mr Morgan) pleaded not guilty to a charge of an offence under the Aliens Control Regulations. Sergeant Ebbett stated that the regulations ■ did not allow a registered alien to have control of or to drive a .motor-vehicle. Comparin was an Italian and a registered alien. He became naturalised in 1939. The regulation concerning the driving of a motor-vehicle had been made known to the defendant, and a warning issued of the necessity for obtaining a written permit to drive or control a motor-vehicle. On August 31 Constable Robertson saw ,the defendant driving a motor-car. No effort had been made before that date to obtain a permit to drive a motor. On Sep-j tember 1 Comparin had lodged an ap- j plication with the police for a permit but this had been held up. Mr Morgan, for the defendant, held that as Comparin had with him when he was! driving the motor-car the person who [ owned the car he was not in point of • law in control of or then driving the; car. Decision was reserved by the Magistrate,, who said he wished to investigate the legal point raised.

Mr. W. Clayton presided at the J monthly meeting of the Inangahua I District Patriotic Committee. The secretary advised that the Reefton ' R.S.A. had appointed Mr. B. Parkin- ! son to represent the Association on ' the Rehabilitation Committee. The County Clerk Inangahua Counity Council, advised that the County 1 [ recommend that in future an evening [function be held in some suitable , building to farewell members of His ■ Majesty’s Forces. Mr. Discaciati mov- • ed and Mr. Archer seconded that the i‘ suggestion be adopted and that the [ Ladies’ Committee and the Reefton [Businessmen’s Association be asked to co-operate in organising such fareI well gatherings.—Carried. j Mr. J. Patterson moved and Mr. [Mellett seconded that the Ladies’ Committee be invited to appoint three members to act as representatives and attend committee meetings.—Carried. Mr. Discaciati reported on the collections .he had made for the provision of Christmas parcels for the troops. £2l/7/6 had been collected in , cash and 54 parcels of biscuits and 70 'cakes had been donated in Reefton. He had made in all 250 calls for cash and supplies. Mr. Discaciati was appointed to supervise the packing of the parcels and to purchase locally the additional articles needed. Mr. S.. Wylde reported that at Ikamatua money and goods had been gathered which would provide 20 parcels of the 80 needed for Inangahua. Messrs A. W. Bell and G. Mellett reported that the Inangahua Junction quota of goods for parcels had been arranged. The total collection for this was £35 7/6. Mr. Archer reported that Mr. W. S. Clark of Inangahua Junction, had donated a young horse (a pacer) for the committee’s funds. Mr. Clark was thanked for his donation. The Treasurer Mr. W. B. Auld reported that to date £569/7/8 had been, raised by the Inangahua District for Patriotic Funds.