REEFTON NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1929, Page 3

REEFTON NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.) INANGAHUA COUNTY COUNCIL. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Inangahua County Council was held on Wednesday. Present Councillor W. Clayton (chair), J. B. Auld, J. Byrne, D. Panekhurst, T. Watson, W. Blackadder, E. J. Paine, J. o’Began. Accounts as read were recommended for payment. Tlio balance sheet of the County for the year was laid on the table, and showed a good credit balance. The Chairman and members commented very favourably on the financial position of the County. Thos. Phillips advised that Nelson Education Board has disposed of freehold section II A block VII Inangahua S.D. to Percy Perry of Inangahua Junction.—Received. The Commissioner of Crown Lands Nelson, advised that section 984/6 town of Reefton, has been sold to R. F. Cochrane of Reefton.—Received. The Mining Registrar advising re transfer of residence sites during month of March 1929 (L. G. Whiting to Arthur R. Gill.—Received. The Commissioner of Crown Lands giving particulars of recent transactions of land in the County.—Received E. Buckland on behalf of the pupils of Cronadun School thanked the Council for interest shown in matte r of recent essays.—Received. The National Provident Fund re provision for employee® on retirement. Crs. O’Regan and Crs Auld spoke on this matter, ako the Chairman; Cr Auld moved, Crs O’Regan seconded that the Council enquire re this. The Health Inspector’s report for March 1929 was received. The Manager State Insurance Office motor vehicles Insurance (third party risks) Act 1928.—Left to County Clerk to a; tend to. Hon. J. G. Cobbc for Minister of Internal Affairs on the matter meetings of Motueka Licensing Committee being held at Reefton that same has been referred to the Hon. Minister of Justice.—Received. G. L. Est court re the erection of buildings etc., at Maruia Springs.— valuation on property occupied by W. 1). Williams.—Received. The District Engineer of Public Works Department asked for return of liabilities as at 31st. March, 1929.—Received. John Cassidy Maruia re his property at Maruia and rates due thereon.—Received. Miss E. M. Walshe re water rent on her dwelling. Dick Street, Reefton.—Received. McMahon and Lee asked that water rent bo not charged on the property of Mrs Williams in Upper Broadway during period, same is unoccupied. —Request to be acceded to. The Commissioner of Crown Lands forwarding schedule of halves £23/10/3 accrued to 31/3/29. —Received. G. C. Black M.P. re stock yards at Cronadun. —Re 1 ceived. The Commissioner of Crown Lands re access to the land occupied by F. O. Wat s. —Received. The District Engineer re Maruia River Bridge at Mairs Left to Clerk for reply. Same r e road to Waiuta Post Office. Left to Engineer for reply. The Hon. Minister? of Mines re Snowy Creek-Hukawai Road and approving of payment of £5O for repairs thereto. — ’Received. J- W. Teasdale asked that application be made for a grant for a bridge across Snowy Creek to give access to Section 107 and 51 blk. IX. Inangahua S.D.—Resolved to apply for grant on next estimates. Rev. IL O. Brickland asked that gorse and blackberries be cut from Rosstown Road—Referred to Engineer to take action. S. Vivian asked for three more nets to prevent erosion by Land ing Creek.—Request t 0 be granted. Mrs A. Heald asked attention to drain in front ot net residence, Hattie Street.—Left to Engineer. The Secretary of the Swimming Club thanked the Council for use of the Baths—Resolved to thank the club for successfully conducting season.

The Refton Progress League re ■footpath in Broadway and 'along Buller Road.—Received. J. J. O’Regan re old Landing track.—Left to Engineer. The matter of attention to Cemetery Creek at Jas. Lawn’s was referred to the Engineer. Reports of poundkeeper, dog tax collection, and motor traffic Inspector, also section and engineer were read and received. WEDNESDAY HALF HOLIDAY.

The fact that Westport tried the Saturday half holiday and was almost ruined thereby cannot be overlooked bv all who would see Greymouth prosper and progress. Our neighbouring town after a few weeks reverted to the mid week half holiday. Whyt Simply because over fifty per cent, of its normal trade was diverted to country stores and; large “shop by post’ firms outside the Buller district The wage earners simply could not purchase their requirements in Westport because business houses were closed on the only day they wore free to do so. If Saturday is carried the same thing will happen locally and this will of course mean decreased trading and the want of fewer shop assistants—in other words, unemploy-

ment. It would indeed be interesting Io know who is responsible for the Saturday movement an., why they do not come to the front and state the ease in favour of their contention that Wednesday is not the logical weekly half holiday. Surely a cause that is worth championing w worth ex pounding, or are its leaders so bankrupt of argument and common sense that they expect an intelligent, pub o to folloJ them blindly without counting the cost. Country residents shop keepers, and shop assistants all sup_ port and desire the Wednesday hal holiday realising that it is the mo t convenient for the people as a whole and the day best suited upon which to close the business premises of Grey’n°CUrthAuld, commenting on the Health Inspector’s monthly report, stated that hi> considered that the fact that the had a clean bill should be advertised Adverse comment was too often the order of the day and a word of praise was at times badly needed. Mr Burberry wrote thanking th< Council for the ration acorded the

party which traversed the Lewis Pass and to Reefton on March 29th, He also wished to thank residents of the Maruia for their kindnesa. Considerable discusvxra took place concerning the Engineer’s report on the Maruia Springs. It was resolved that th* Tourist Department be asked to reply to the Counties’ representations regarding the investing of an area at the Springs in the Council, such area to be used as a camping ground. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr J. B. Auld, seconded by Cr Blackadder, that the Engineer be instructed to prepare a complete estimate of the cost of bringing the Reefton-Ma-ruia Springs |Road into ,a complete state of repair. The Chairman thanked the members of the Council and the County staff for the hearty support that all had given him ■ during his term of office. The County was in a favourable finfincial condition. He expressed the wish that all the Councillors would be again retLmed. All the Councillors had carried out their duties impartially and at no small sacrifice to themselves. He concluded by thanking all for their assistance. Cr Auld congratulated the Chairman for the splendid way in which he had carried out his duties. He had given no small measure of his time to County affairs, and for this alone deserved the thanks of the ratepayers. It was very satisfactory to know that the County had a credit balance. HOSPITAL BOARD. At the monthly meeting of the Inangahua Hospital Board, there were present Messrs J. B. Auld (Chairman), F. Seawright, T. R. Watson. J. O. Byrne, J. O ’Regan. G. B. Mclnroe, I. Paine, W. Blackadder.

A letter was received from the Grey Hospital Board re admission of Reefton residents in Grey Hospital. —It was decided to notify the Grey Board that the patients had not been in the district the required time to make the Inangahua Board responsible. The Inangahua Silver Band wrote enclosing donation of £1 towards fund for new ward.—lt was resolved that the Band be accorded a vote of thanks, i Hospital statistics were as follows: —Reefton: Admitted 14, discharged 9, died 1, remaining 30, operations 3, anaesthetics 3. Waiuta: Admitted 2 discharged 1, remaining 1, number of out-patients 41, number of attendances 126, visits 8. The Chairman expressed the opinion that in view of Dr Conlon’s illness, a locum tenens should be appointed, his remarks being endorsed by Messrs Byrne, Watson and O’Regan. It was agreed that Dr Wicken be approached in regard to the matter. It was resolved that a letter be sent to Dr Conlon sympathising with him in his illness, and wishing him a speedy recovery.—Carried. The Chairman reported that Miss Wal-'h and Ikamatua residents had offered t 0 organise a ball for the benefit of the new' maternity ward.—lt was resolved to thank the Ikamatua resi dents for the offer. Votes of thanks were accorded Mrs Brickland for her donation to the old patients of the hospital of an Easter cake, and Mr and M r W R. Godden for gift of papers, and to Mr D. McDonald. It was agreed that a temporary appointment be made in the place of the late Mr J. Gardner, and I hat the permanent appointment be left to tht new Board. Mr Mclnroe reported that the Mat ron of the Reef ton Hospital had in formed him that an anonymous donation of £5 had been made for the first child born in the maternity ward and it was resolved to thank the donor for same. The Secretary submitted the estimated receipts and payments for tho year ended March 31, as follows?:-— Receipts: Subsidy £157 Is, voluntary contributions and bequests £5OO, subsidy on same £537 10s. patients’ payments £lOOO, Charitable Aid recover-

ies £5OO, rent £lO, miscellaneous £lOO, maintenance levies on local authorities £l4lO, maintenance subsidy £lB33 —total £7023 12s'. Expenditure: Hospital maintenance £35, Charitable Aid £485, transport £3O ; laboratory £3O, administration £3OO, other Boards £5O, rate? £2O, contribution to N.P. Fund £3OO, refund of subsidy £B4 Ils. refund pen sions £350 —total £7023 12s. Mr Seawright drew attention to the fact that the last three years the maintenance expenses of the Board had been less than in previous years. In 1927, the cost to the local taxpayer was £1876, in 1928 £1628, and 1929 £1450, thus effecting a saving amounting to some hundreds of pounds. The hospital had also been renovated throughout, the sewerage system improved. and tlje maternity ward built. Mr Mclnroe asked what had become of Mr Seawright’s scheme for Reefton Hospital Fees Reserve Fund. The Chairman thanked members for their assistance and co-operation during the past three years. He congratnlated the Board upon its improved position and upon having a first-class staff.