REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 13 May 1938, Page 11

REEFTON NOTES

— ■—■■•—“—— lOur Own Correspondent.] REEFTON, May, 11. The death occurred this morning at Reefton Hospital of Mr. Patrick Hannan who had recently been admitted to the institution. Deceased, who was 37 years of age, had been engaged working on lhe Maruia Road, where he was taken ill. He leaves a wife who resides at the Hutt, Wei lington. The funeral will take place at Reefton. Another worker employed on the iMaruia Road, Mr. Thomas Kerry, was (brought into town last evening suffering from a serious injury. He was engaged putting in a charge of gelignite. and had just completed filling .the hole when the charge of gelignite .went off. He received the full force lof it on his hand, which was mangled badly. The injured man was working at about, the 20 mile peg. He at once set out for town, and was picked up by Mr. W. Barnes at about the 16 mile peg and brought into Reefton Hospital. The hand was amputated this morning.

A sitting of the Arbitration Court commenced here yesterday before Mr. Justice O’Regan (chairman) and Messrs Monteith and Prime. Most of the afternoon was taken up with Mr. A. McLagan’s address for the workers, lasting for over three hours. Only one witness was heard. The case is a wages dispute between the Blackwater Mines, Ltd., and the employees. For the Greymouth Harbour Board election of one member from the Inangahua County, the final voting figures were:—Clayton, W., 104; Seawright, J. F„ 81; O’Regan, John, 75; Archer, F. W.„ 34; Mclnroe, G. B, 19; informal 20.

The final voting figures in the Inangahua County elections for the ridings, for which returns last night were incomplete, was as follows: ] Reefton Riding (three members): Seawright, J. F., 144; Watson, T. R., 143; McGregor, J. S., 108; Archer, F„ 90. Boatman’s Riding (two members) : O’Regan, John, 54; O’Regan P. J., 38; Coghlan. J. J., 34; Clark W. S., 22. The Hospital Board (8 members) voting was as follows:— Watson, T. R„ 247; O’Regan, P. J., 235; Clayton, W., 229; Seawright, J. F„ 226; Auld, J. 8., 214; Mclnroe, G. 8., 210; Clark, W. S„ 175; Archer, F. W„ 173 (elected); Coghlan, J. J., 167; McGregor, J. S„ 161; Gibbs, R. C., 141; Scott, J., 123. ( The ordinary monthly meeting of the Council of the Reefton School of Mines was held last evening, there being present Messrs J. B. Auld (chair), R. Alborn, J. Noble, Jas. Patterson, T. S. Patterson (secretary). The director Mr Clifton, was also present an apology was received for Mr Hayes’ absence. The chairman extended a welicome to the new director, Mr Clifton, and hoped that he would have a pleasant time in Reefton, and that the school would continue in its high standard under his directorship, and that the short term resultant on the absence of a director would be made up through his ability. Mr Clifton replied very shortly, thanking the chairman for his welcome and said that the school would continue under its high standard. Outward correspondence read and approved. The Under-Secretary of mines wrote enquiring when the Director commenced duties. Mr. C. J. Strongman wrote enquiring when the director could take classes at Runanga. The director said he was following out the routine of classes as outlined by the previous director. He would visit Runanga and confer with representatives there, holding classes on Friday. The director reported that 47 assays had been completed since his arrival. These included two schulite, 1 bullion and 1 coal assay. The director reported that at Waiuta several wished to take up mechanical drawing, but there were no appliances there. He was empowered to get the necessary equipment. He was also Instructed to procure labour to effect a clean-up in the school and yard. A discussion on the assay charges ensued, the director stating that assays of samples containing antimony and arsenic could not be treated at a profit to the school at the rates fixed, and it was decided that the chairman of directors fix the charges. The director brought under the notice of the council the extraordinarily high standard set by the examination papers. No working man could hope to pass these. He contended six subjects were too many to ask any candidate to successfully pass. It was decided that the director draw up a letter of protest and submit same to next meeting of the Council. The accounts as submitted were passed for payment and the meeting concluded.

The Rev. Mr Evans, who has been appointed to succeed the Rev C. Tanner in charge of St. Stephen’s parish arrived this afternoon with Mrs Evans and family. A heavy frost was experienced yesterday morning, after an extremely cold night. Yesterday however there was bright sunshine, and the temperature was fairly warm.