REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 11 April 1928, Page 8

REEFTON NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, April 10. Rain commenced about 10 a.m. yesterday and continued throughout the day, falling vqry solidly. The water is still being pumped into the reservoir, however, despite Lime allowed the authorities to fix the water races. Auld’s Creek haa now a goud flow in it, but the pipe connected with it is not discharging water into the reservoir. These matters require attention urgently.

On Saturday -evening at the Theatre Royal, Mr Chris Powley, who left for Melbourne yesterday, was the recipient of a wallet of notes and an oversharp” pencil from his many Reef ton friends. Mr J. Mclvor presided over the function. Mir F. Lawry in presenting Mr Powley with the wallet, referred to his close companionship “with him during the past, and wished him “Health, wealth, and prosperity in his new life. Mr S. Griffin also presented Mr Powley, on behalf of the people, with a handsome Eversharp pencil. A large number of others present referred to the good fellowship of th c departing guest, and a happy evening concluded with the singing of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and “Auld Lang Syne.” Mr and Mrs B. Fitch, of Ararata, Melbourne, left by yesterday morning’s express, accompanied by Mr C. Powley, cn route to Sydney by the Tahiti, thence to Ararata. Miss D. Strachan left by yesterday morning’s express for Christchurch, to go to Sydney by the Tahiti, on a six months’ holiday. The funeral of the late Louis James Wright, who was accidentally shot at Cronadun on Good Friday, took place at Cronadun on Sunday at 2 p.m., being very largely attended. The prayers of St Stephen's Church were conducted by the Rev J. W. Bloyee.

The Maruia Springs were the resort of over 100 people during the Faster Week, and it looks as if these health-giving and picturesnnA springs are at last taking the public eye. The scenery along £he Maruia Road is equal to the Buller Gorge, and the road Ts at present in an exceptionally goca condition. A meeting of the Rejefton District High School was held in the schoolroom, Mr W. Baird occupying the chair. There w’ere also present, Messrs J. Patterson, C. H. Cleaver, D. Panckhurst, J. Baird, C. Robinson, A. E. Worry (Headmaster) and C. P. Moore (Secretary). The headmaster’s report stated the Inspectors visited thc school recently and the school doctor, Dr Keith, and Nurse Anderson visited the school last week. A vote of thanks was acocrded to Mr A. Ne 7 son for the donation of cricket hags and cricket gear etc. On Mr Baird’s motion, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr A. Gebbillini and Mr A. Walker for assistance with the school water supply. A discussion arose with regard to the teaching of Latin, which had of late been more or less abolished in favour of French. The Headmastfir reported that Latin could be taken if the pupil required to do so. There were three now taking Latin at the school and others could do so it they wished. The Education Board, forwarded papers for the annual meeting of householders on 30th April, nominations closing on April 23rd at 8 p.m. Mr R. P. Hudson, M.P., advised that the subsidy from the Education Department for the Dental Clinic had been granted. The Director of Dental Hygiene advised that the Nurse will nit be available till the end of the month. Mr J. McEwan (Secretary of Waiuta School) wrote asking ' thie Reefton District High School Committee if the Waiuta Committee had to pay for the Dental Nurse’s transport from Reefton to Waiuta. It was resolved to reply that, as far as this Committee knew, the Department paid for tho Nurse’s transport by train from Reefton to Ikamatua, also for accommodation, but suitable accommodation mush be. guaranteed by /the Waiuta School Committee, although not at their own expense. A visiting committee reported a chimney stove pipe was down, which required to be put up again, and no locks had been put on the doors of the lavatories, while repair of the pans was needed. It was’ resolved that a letter be sent to the Board urging these repairs, also the fixing of other breakages. It was decided that the balance sheet for the year ending 29th February 1928, as read be received and accepted as satisfactory. Mr "W. Gaird stated that before the old Committee disbanded. he wished to thank the present members for the unstinted support they had given towards the Dis triet High School, and he hoped the new Committee would do the sameMr Worry also thanked the Committee for th? way his suggestions had been accecded to for the school’s benefit. The members of thc Reef ton District High School Committee entertained the Rev C. RoTinson at Collis’s Kozie Tea Rooms,prioir to his depart uro, the Chairman, Mr W. B. Auld, presiding. After partaking of refreshments, Mr Auld said Mr Robinson had been on the Committee for the past two years, and they could all speak of his practical work. He was always more than willing to help thb cause of education along. Circumstances bad intervened and Mr Robin-

son was compelled to leave. He felt that they could not l pt Mr Robinson go without expressing their appreciation of his efforts, and wishing Mrs Robinson and family and ihimself every good wish. They hoped that he would prosper in his new sphere ar Granity, and that thc experience gained in."Reefton would serve him in his neW charge. He asked his acceptance from the Committee of a gold mounted fountain pen as a memento of their goodwill. Mr C. Moore (Secretary), referred to Mr Robinson’s good wbrk as a Committeeman, and hoped he would still be able to devote himself to scKool committee work in his new sphere. Mr C. H. Cleaver referred to Mr Robinson’s departure, expressing his regret. It had been said that parson’s were not wanted on School Committees, but if all parsons were like their guest h© would be pleased to

sit on a Board which comprised nearly all of parsons. Messrs Jas Patterson, D. Panckhurst. J. Baird,and A. F. Worry also expressed regret at Mr Robins-m’s departure from Reefton. Rev Mi’ Robinson said they had giv-

rn him a shock that evening. He hop'd ih’l the people would recognise th , r mH wark the Committee had

done, and place them all back at the next election. Work among the child ren was the most importont work. What they trained th e children to be to-day, was what the world to-morrow was going to be.. He believed in education, and hoped that his own boys would avail themselves of every opportunity to acquire knowledge. Whatever he had Honci was for the benefit of th e children and the advancement of education. Ht would like to have remained in Reefton to see the den tai clinic an established fact. He appreciated their present and would never use it without thinkin v of the Committee. They had always worked in harmony, which he considered a record for any Committee he had ever heard of. He considered it his duty to render what help he could in the cause of education. He thanked them all for thciir kind remarks and hoped that they would meet again, and in doing so he might stat e that he never sacrificed his principles. Mr Auld thanked the press for their assistance in publishing reports of their meetings and school matters, yhich w’as replied to by Messrs J. Noble and NV Lawn, and the gathering concluded.

The following letters have been re ceived by Mr C. Mori, Secretary of’ th e Reefton Progress League from the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Mines: —I am in receipt of your letter of March 23rd 1928 in which by direction of the Reefton Progress League you ask that my De part meat proceed with the construction of the road from the Maruia Springs to Glenhopo. via the Lewis Saddle. I note all you say in support of this request, and in response thereto I am arranging for the matter to be further looked into and for further details to be placed before me in order that I may give it my very careful consideration. You will be further advised at a later date. —Signed R. A. Wright, Minister for Public Works. From the Minister of Mines: —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd of March wherein you urge, on behalf of the Refton Progress League that steps be. taken to put in hand the construction of a 6 feet track from Stevenson’s Flate to the Alexander Reefs. In reply I hav P to inform you that this matter is at present under consideration, and I shall be pleased to bear in mind the representations you have made to m,e on the subject when arriving at a decision. —Signed, J. G. Coates, for Minister of Mines. COURT NEWS.

At the Magistrate’s Court here, a first offender was brought up on a charge of being drunk in Broadway, Reefton, on 30th March. He did not appear and was fined 5/- and ordered to pay Court costa 10/-. Judgment for plaintiff by def null was given in each of the following cases: —State Advances Superinten dent v. N. B. Griffen, £4 18s 6d and costs 18/-. Lamberton and Lawn v. M. O ’Driscoll, £9 12s 5d and costs 15/-. Collins and Kearns v. W. H. Bartlett, £1 10s and costs 8/-. Geo>rge Mitchell v. James Hannah, £5 9s 3d and costs £1 10s 6d. The claim Matchless Coal Syndicate v. George Bettie (claim £9 Ils 7d) was adjourned by the. Court, question of waiver reserved. In the case P. J. Sullivan v. W. A. Blair (claim £5 10s), defendant! pleaded the special defence cf infancy, and judgment was for defendant, no costs allowed. At a sitting of the Warden 's Court at Reef ton before Mr Meld rum, Warden, applications were dealt with as follows-.—Joseph Gardner (Mr Patterson) for reduction of rent on special Quartz Claim License No. 4080.— Granted for nine months at rate of 2/6 per acre per annum. Archie Mitchell (Mr Morgan) tn surrender Water Race License No. 5217.—Ac cepted. avid Absalom and Frederick Dairison ,'Mr Patterson) for an ordinary Prospecting License over JG acres at Snowy River.—(granted. North Big River Gold Mines Limited (Mr Morgan) for reduction of rents on Special Quartz Claim Licenses Nos. 4064 and 5203.—Granted at rate of 2/6 por acre per annum. New Big River Gold Mining Co., Ltd., (Mr PattGlrson) for reduction of rent on three Special Quartz CHain^s.' —'Recommended » for’ twelve months at rate of 2/6 per acre per annum. - Jamejs Bolitho, Joseph Bolitho and Flora Nicholls (Mr Morgan) to surrended Water Race License of 2/6 per acre per annum. The Progress Mines of ’New Zealand Ltd., (Mr Morgan) for reduction of rent on thirteen Special Quartz Claims.—Recommended for twelve months at rate of 2/6 per ocre per annum. The Pre gress Mines of N.Z. Ltd., (Mr Morgan) to surrender six Special Quartz Claim Licenses. —Accepted. The Receiver of Gold Rovepue claimed from The New Keep-It-Dark Mines. Ltd., (In Liquidation), the sum of £66 15s for arrears of rents due to the Crown under certain mining privilege's and for cancellation of titles. It was stated that the amount claimed and costs had. been paid into Court, and the plaintiff withdrew cancellation proceedings.