INANGAHUA WOMAN COMMENDED FOR ACT OF BRAVERY

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1947, Page 4

INANGAHUA WOMAN COMMENDED FOR ACT OF BRAVERY

[SPECIAL REPORTER]

REEFTON, This-Day. Owing to the fact that more of the permissable period of 12 months had passed before its attention was drawn to the incident, the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand was unable to act upon the recommendation of the Inangahua County Council that the action of Mrs Margaret Southan, of Inangahua Junction, in dragging a child from the path of a train should be officially recognised. Advice to this effect was received by the council from the society at yesterday’s meeting, when it was decided to write to Mrs Southan, acquainting her of the position and expressing, the council’s appreciation, of' her action. Present at the meeting were: —Crs J. J. Coghlan (chairman), B. Topp, C. Coxall, A. W. Bell, G. J. Williams, W. Clayton, W. Blackadder, F. W. Archer, the clerk (Mr C. A. Belcher) and the foreman (Mr N. L. Bolitho). Mining , Rental Messrs Joyce and Taylor, on behalf of Associated Gold Dredges, Ltd., sought a reduction in the rental on claim No.. 87654, pointing out. that, owing to the material and,-labour shortage it had not been possible' to equip the area -with a dredge. s Following a discussion in committee it was decided to ask the applicants whether it was the intention-of the company to erect a dredge and, if so, the probable date yvhen the

work would be commenced. The State Housing Department advised that the plans for the subdivision of the Conlon estate (Reefton housing block) had not yet been completed, and that copies-would be' forwarded as soon as they came to hand. The Reefton School Committee advised that it was proposed to instii tute a school traffic patrol across : Buller road, at the intersection of Potter street. The Transport Department required an official count of the ■.vehicles passing the intersection and i the assistance of the council’s. in- ’ spector was required in this connec- _ tion. I i It was decided to make the in- | spector. available to take the. required! I count of vehicles. . . .. I i It was also decided to make the i council’s lorries available to the I school committee for the cartage of , ! 50 yards of top-dressing for the school ’ground, the committee to pay the I wages of the drivers.' I I Donations were made as follows:—’ Royal Humane Society, £1 Is; Makogai leper fund, £1 Is. Sales Tax on Fire Hose ' Replying to the council’s representations to have sales tax removed from fire hose, the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, stated that he had discussed the matter with the Minister of Customs and he liad.re- ; plied that at present there were no means by which fire hose could be exempted from tax. The Prime Minister had given an assurance that the representations had been noted and that when the incidence of sales tax was next under review careful consideration would be given to the •matter. ’ -

Cr Coxall and the chairman reported that further representations on the subject were being made by the United Fire Brigades’ Association and the South Island Local Bodies’ Association.

The formal resolutions covering boundary changes in the Reefton irrigation area, in connection with the proposed water supply for Black’s Point were passed. Details of children’s playground eouipment were received from the Greymouth borough engineer, Mr A. J. Fairmaid, and the Buller county engineer, Mr C .Schadick, and it was decided that they be forwarded to the playground committee for consideration.

On' the suggestion of Cr Blackadder, it was decided to request the Public Works Department to exercise care in scrub cutting and burning on the Maruia road, to ensure that the bush on the river side of the road was not subjected.to a fire hazard in the summer'months. , Mr Clayton gave a verbal report on the recent visit to the district of members of the Soil Council. He said that a lot of good work had been done on the protection works at Smith’s (Cronadun) and McMahon’s (Rotokohu). ' ' . ■