A DANGEROUS PRACTICE.

Grey River Argus, 6 February 1917, Page 2

A DANGEROUS PRACTICE.

Until acoident or harm bciulls some people warning of any kind to certain dangers seems to fall on deaf ears. Last (Saturday evening both the Otira express and the lteelton train just missed giving the coroner some work, owing to tlie risky and illegal practice of pedestrians "using the permanent way as a means of travel. In some parts Of the country this practice is unavoidable, as roads are conspicuous by their absence; and the only way of making a journey on foot is between the inetaJs. On the particular length in question, however, ' - a road runs parallel with the railway, and the use of the latter is simply courting unnecessary danger. On certain stretches of the railway the risk is no doubt mitigated by room to jump aside before the tram is upon one, but it is on the bridges and viaducts that the real danger lies. Caught in the middle of one of these a person is apt to lose his nerve and fall a victim to the train. It was in, this position that the express on Saturday caught four men, on the bridge immediately past the racecourse. Three of the men got clear % but", a fourth had no time to. escape arid had to take the chance between a drop Over the side or become an obstacle to the oncoming train. \The result seems to have been in the pedestrian's favour, but the narrow escape should prove a lesson tob'oth him and his friends.. Similar to this wiis an cscaue with the Reef ton train, and again -the ' fates were with the man. But the time has come, and Avill come again, when the person concerned will jump too late and add to that long list of deaths due to carelessness and utter disregard for the law. Apart from the risk attached to this form of travel the men oji' the engine should be considered ainl popple should realise that unavoidable risks are part of • his day's work without some brainless individual adding to ! their number. A. -"killing" by a driver is the last thing he wishes, for, and cows and other animals keep him fully occupied without people lacking the intelligence of the former trying his nerves to a further test, fully occupied without people .trying his nerves to a further test.':. Familiav.ity no doubt breeds contempt,; and whc:i a' habit is oriec forrile'd' it'i's dif-ficult-to break it. We would advise persons who wish to preserve their lives to pay more attention at . all times to the notice: "Stop! Look out for the Engine," and. if " they arc compelled, for lack ' of- any other nieans, to use railway bridges, to keep a f special . look-out for approaching trains. We feel that a great number of ■ accidents' wEich.'- end • fatally Bright be prevented bj[ a little forethouiihti

I It is generally understood that work j will be resumed at the Blackball mines ' to-day. .. ' I I The Success dredge washed up on Thursday for a return of 50oz. The bankruptcies for the Christchurch district show a falling off j since the commencement of the war. i In 11)12 they numbered 39; in 1913, 33; in 1914, 31; in 11)15, 23; in 1910,15. The Rev. Father Arkwright, of Westport, has been appointed to Feilding. He leaves for the northern town to-morrow. Mr. H. Hailc, of Hokitika, who has won several gold medals and 'diplomas in the gardening, art in England, has been secured to act as judge, at the forthcoming Trinity Carnival in the floral sections. Mr. Hailc was adjudicator at the Kunanga Show last week and his decisions gave great satisfaction and. met "with the approval, of all. .. "It is astonishing that prosecutions for selling firearms to boys have taken place in 'this court since 1908, yet defendants, when charged, plead ignorance of the regulations," said Inspector Heiidrey, in Wellington when a man was before the court recently for selling a pea-rifle to a boy under 1(5 years of age. , According to the ''Gazette" of : the 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, a New Army sentry was surprised minus, his boots and rubbing "his eyes by the sergeant of the stable guard. "Marching round, sergeant," said the victim of unjust suspicion when aslJLcd what he had been up to "Marching round!" snorted the tyrant; "Marching round! Where are your boots'?" "I took them oil," replied the victim, with simple pride. "I took them oIT so that I siiould not wake the horses." The spell of fine -weather which Groymouth enjoyed throughout December and January seems to have definitely ended, and conditions are far from settled. For the five days of this .month about nine inches of rain has fallen which is roughly equal to 900 tons of water to each acre of land. Yesterday reports were received that at Bealey the hills were thickly covered with snow. The cool change locally is very refreshing after the hot humid atmosphere of a week ago. At a parade of the National Keserve last evening, Dr. D. McKay (vicepresident) in the absence of Mr. Jf. McKenzie, presented. Messi's Kundle and Davidson, two National Keservists, with money belts prior to their leaving for military service. ' In tlie course of his remarks Dr. McKay stated that thirty members of the Greymouth Keserve had answered the call and all had obtained either their N.C.O. or had received commissions — a very creditable performance. He said that then; was room for more men and though the Keserve had started with a membership of 120 they had that night only 00 on parade. Dr. McKay said "that he was surprised that there- were not more young men in the district (now that the Compulsory Act was in force) availing themselves of the chance ofknocking oil" the rough corners b.V joining the Keserve and undergoing a few hours' drill. Mr. Kundle suitably replied, thanking the Keserve for it's presentation and stating that in the time that he had been a member lie :■'■',! learnt a great deal and was very pleased that he had joined the Ke'- • serve. \ We have received a copy of the first issue of "The New Zealander,." a paper which is to be published every fortnight for New Zealand soldiers on active- service. A number of 'prominent New Zealamlers in London are responsible for the production. "As the whole object . of "The New Zealander" is to furnish our men at the front with the best possible digest of New Zealand news, we shall be glad to receive any suggestion from our readers as to how the 'contents of the paper may be improved, and also as to the methods of distribution "is how the Editor (Mr. Guy H. Scholcfield. who is well known "in New Zealand journalistic circles) explains the intention of the promoters. The issue contains many items of interest for the* men on service aiid. as everyone knows, the great demand for news of home,' the paper should Jill alongfelt want. This in no way is meant as a reflection on those who, have sent papers regularly from New Zealand. 'The New Zealander" consists of four pages, of sixteen columns, and is in every way a commendable' effort. The great object is 1 to supply the men with the latest news in the smallest possible space. At the Hokitika Town Hall on Saturday night Mr. J. K. McNaughton, manager of the National Bank, who has been promoted to Greyiuouth, was met by the citizens. The Mayor (Mr., G. A. Perry) presided. In a farewell address he stated that Mr. MeiNaughton had been with them for 'lS. 1 , years arid' during that time ho had " mafic inafiy friends. They all regretted that he was leaving, them. , Un behalf of the people he wished Mr. McNaughton and Mrs. McNaughton long Jif e al id prosperity. Messrs 11. L. Michel, W. C. Williams, and W. J. Butler, in short speeches spoke of the honourable respect one and all held for Mr and Mrs. McNaughtou. In replying Mr. McNaughton expressed his thanks to .those who had spokeii and to the ladies and gentlemen present. He had had a very happy time in Hokitika and he hardly hoped to hav c as good a time anywhere else. He felt tliht the Westland district was on the eve of ail important advance and for that reason he was loath to leave the place. There was no question about the benefit the. district would derive when the East and West Coast rail--1 way was running, and he wished them all the success in the future they ha-1 worked so hard for. The Mayor also exteilded a welcome to Mr. Stewart who was to succeed. Mr. McNanghton, and to Mrs. Stewart. Mr. Stewart suitably replied. There, will be music at St. John's Sweet Pea Shmv in. .the evening. Items by Greymouth fav.oiuites— Miss • Alberta' Teasthilc and Mr. jSliort. Come and hear theni.— Advt. School Bags in cloth and- leather; strong, serviceable lines at .1/3, 2/-, 3/5/- and 6/0. each are procurable at B. Dixon's, Tainui Street. — Advt. The Costumes now showing at C. Smith, Ltd., are the latest designs and newest materials, thi fit is. perfect and the cut all that could be desired. In Blouses and Shirt Blouses the stock is up to date, with the- smartest and new est in colour and design. The prices run from 2/11, 3/11, 4/11 to 25/-. Call im and sec them to-day, at C. Smith's, Ltd., the Wholesale Cash Drapers, Cloth icrsj House Furnishers, and Boot Importers; . Qroyniouth, Wellington, fieef ton/iVTestport, Masterton, and P»J merston North;

I The Trinity Carnival takes place on 'Wednesday week. Entries are being received by Mr. George Hweetman ' and I everything points to a successful carnival. It should be remembered . that all prizes will be paid in cash. A few special prizes have been decided upon and will be advertised in a few days' J time. A lengthy advertisement in this issue gives the various classes which intending competitors may enter uii'ler. The choice is wide enough to satisfy everybody, but those -intending to enter should do so as early as possible so that the committee will not be unddlv rushed with- the making of final arrangements. Enter your garden — flower or' flower and vegetable combined— for the gardens competition. The judge will call 'and award points 011 Wednesday morning and the winner will be announced at St. John's Sweet Pea Show in the evening — Advt. Harry Lauder, it is said, is to get £500 a week and a- share of the profits of the new theatrical entertainment — he does not call it a revue — in which he will be the central figure. He has had over £1000 for one week 's work in Scotland. Caruso is believed to have niadc a steady £40,000 a. year for years past. Charlie Chaplin, with his minimum of £2000 a . week, every week, under his present "Mutual" ar--1 rangemenr, still leaves all the other stars behind him. Yet it is not so very long since a Cabinet Minister's salary seemed a really big thing; and "Tommy" is risking life and limb for a shilling a day! . " . . i St. John's Sweet Pea Show to-mor-row. Big War Baby Show in the afternoon; Big Entries in all Floral Selections; Big Entries in Cooking; Big Work for the Judjres. — Advt. I A correspondent of the "Spectator" calls attention to the striking suggestion of dug-outs, aeroplanes, submarines, and steel nets in Amos ix., ?•, '6. It struck him with peculiar force when he read the announcement in the press: "Mount Carniel in German hands." The words of Amos are: — "Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take' them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down; and though they hide themselves on the top of Carmel I will search aud take them out thence; and though they be hid from my light in the bottom of the sea ? thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them." I ..■■■'■ St. John's Sweet Pea and Rose Show to-morrow in the Drill Hall. Enter for the champion sweet pea and champion rose at the show. Messrs Holder and Sons' prize for the best collection of sweet peas grown from Carter's Seeds, .and best collection of vegetables, 8 varieties. — Advt. I Baby Show, at St. John's Sweet Pea and Rose fehow Drill liail, 7th February. Entrance lee sixpence. — AUvt.