WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1939, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) High Tides, Port of Westport: Friday, 8—4.18 a.m.; 5.8 p.m. Saturday. 9-5.52 a.m.; 6.36 p.m. Sunday, 10—7.12 a.m.; 7.44 p.m. Monday, 11 —8.11 a.m.; 8.37 p.m. Shipping: , WESTPORT, September 7. The Totara is in port loading coal for Timaru, expecting to be despatched to-day if conditions permit. The kiwitea is in port loading coal for Auckland, expecting to be despatched to-morrow. The Karetu is due from Wellington to-night to load again for Wellington. The Te Aroha is expected from Wellington on Saturday morning with general cargo, proceeding later to Littel Wanganui.

Personal: Mrs A., Miss Rita and Master Raymondy Petley returned yesterday from a short visit to Nelson. Mr F. Boord, chief storeman at the Public Works ’ Department at Westport, left yesterday on transfer to Wellington. Mr Jack Ogg, who has been visiting the North Island, has returned to Westport, and will later proceed to Wangapeka on a visit to his sister, Mrs Hill.

The inquest into the death of Brian Leonard Todd, infant son of Mr and Mrs F. Todd, Mill Street, was held yesterday, before the Coroner, Mr G. E. J. Taylor. The verdict returned, in accordance with medical evidence, was: “Death was due to asphyxia brought about by a large piece of apple which was lodged in the trachea.” Evidence of identification was given by Henry James Adams. Frank Benjamin Todd, father of the child, in the course of his evidence said that about 7 a.m. on September 3, I was awakened by the sound of my othei three children playing with the baby. My wife heard the baby cough, as if something was in its throat. She told our eldest, daughter, Colleen, aged 7 years, to bring the baby to our bed. Colleen brought the baby to our bed; he seemec) to be in some sort of a fit. Mv wife placed her finger in the child’s mouth and slapped it on the back, but it did not have any effect. The child was frothing at the mouth. My wife went and summoned medical aid, whilst I nursed the child. 1 tried to do everything I could for the child to ease the pain, but without result. Dr. Thomson arrived very shortly after this and he took charge of the child. The child was alive when the doctor arrived. I could not offer any suggestion as to what had caused the child’s death, he had seemed to be in the best of health except for a slight cold during the week. Whilst my other children were playing with the baby in the morning they were eating toffee apples. It. is quite probable that they may have given the baby some of the apple. The eldest of my other children is seven years, the other two being four years and three years of age, none of them being old enough to appreciate that it may be dangerous to give the baby apple. The baby was normal in every respect and was eating crusts and rusks, as his usual food. From the time my wife heard the child cough until its death was pi'ouf half an hour. His full name was Brian Leonard Todd, and was thirteen and a-half months old. It was a usual thing for the other children to play with the baby.” lan Douglas Thomson said: “I am a duly qualified and registered medical practitioner practicing and residing in Brougham Street, Westport. At 7.20 a.m. on Sunday, September 3, 1939, I was called to the residence of Mr Frank Todd, Mill Street, Westport. I saw there a small male child, Brian Leonard Todd, in extremis. He was the s'-" -" ' T ” Frank Todd. The

child died a few moments after I arrived and consequently I could give no cause nor certification of death. At the investigation of the Coroner, I performed a post mortem examination on the body of the child, at 12 mid-day at the Buller Hospital morgue. The finding was complete and definite. Death was due to asphyxia, brought about by a large piece of apple which was lodged in the trachea.

Licensing Committee: Renewals of their publicans licenses were granted to Frederic E. New- ■ man Post Office Hotel, Westport; . Amelia K. Holder, Criterion Hotel, , Westport; Henry W. Zimmerman, | Tramway Hotel, Millerton, Murty O’Donnell, Paparoa Hotel, Roa and I John Graham Curragh, Alpine Hotel. Burnett’s Face, at the quarterly meeting of the Buller Licensing Committee yesterday. T ~ On the bench were Messrs J. Menzies (chair), J. Evans, G. Taylor and . R. Patterson. The applications had i been adjourned from the annual j meeting to enable building require- ( ments to be carried out. Mr H. Lovell, appearing for the four applicants, said that trouble had been experienced in getting tradesmen for the building work. Sergeant H. H. Russell said that the authorities had appreciated the difficulties in the way of some licensees, and had tried to meet them in every way.. He complained, however, of some licensees not making real efforts to attend to the requirements. Mr Lovell gave assurances in the cases of the Post Office and Alpine Hotels, that all work would soon be completed. The application of David Moir, for a renewal of his license for the Railway Hotel, Sergeant’s Hill, was adjourned for three months to enable repairs to be completed. Mr Lovell said that Moir intended to improve the premises on a larger scale than asked for. John C. C. Fayen was granted a transfer of his publican’s license to the new premises at Waimangaroa. A permanent transfer of the license of the Tramway Hotel, Millerton, from Henry W. Zimmerman to George Orman, was granted as was the permanent transfer of the license of the Mt. 'Rochfort Hotel, Denniston, from Henrietta Edith. Dudderidge to Bertha i Sherlock. I William Sterling Clark was granted a Renewal of the accommodation license for the Inangahua Junction Hotel. z Mr A. W. Satchwell appeared for the Health Department. Card Tournament: There was a large attendance at

the Labour Party’s card tournament held last evening. The euchre prizes were secured by Mrs Kearns 1; Mrs Powell 2; Mr Greer 3. The 45’s competition was won by Mrs Gough. The Ladies’ Social Committee served a much-appreciated supper.

Rugby Visit Cancelled: Owing to Government measures restricting the retailing of petrol, the Christchurch Old Boys’ team, which was scheduled to play against Buller “B” side in a curtain-raiser to the Fijian match on Saturday, has been faced with transport difficulties, which have necessitated cancellation of the game. Old Boys and Star juniors in a Prince Memorial Cup match has been substituted.

Westport Golf Club: The following is the draw for the qualifying rounds of the club championships, to be played at the Kawatiri Links on Sunday, September 10, seniors and intermediates 36 holes, 16 to qualify; juniors, 18 holes, 16 to QU Senlors, No. 1 Tee, 9.15: J. Ford, J. Martin R. Nottle; 9.19: C. Robertson, H. Lockey, H. Lovell; 9.23: W. Phipps, A. Davies, E. Fauhy; 9.27: J. Caldwell C. Walker, T. Park; 9.31: C. Schadick, D. Francis, G. Slee; 9.35: J Metson, E. Fair, L, Spencer; 9.39: N. Nottle, R. Culpitt, D. Fountaine; 9.43: G. Mason, J. Slee. Intermediate, No. 1 Tee, 9.47: M. Levestam, E. Phipps, K. Davies; 9.51: J. Jones, C. Thomas, R. Holdgate; 9.55: A. Bascand, H. Elley, J. Bailey; 9.59: M. Neill, A. Wilson, J. Risk; 10.3: W. Smith, H. Maitland, T. Phipps; 10.7: H. Hamilton, A. Struthers, W. McNamara; 10.11: W. Keesing, A. Batt, A. Nottle. A. Kerr. Juniors, No. II Tee, 9.15: —H. Mathewson, A. Millar, F. W. Woodward; 9.19: C. Richards, C. Harrow, A. Quinn; 9.23: G. Wheatley, E. Brown, A. Treloar; 9.27: F. Kaye, J. Ovens, N. Daly; 9.31: C. Smith, N. Ames, A. Petley; 9.35: J, Macky, L. Hobbs, W. Craddock; 9.39: F. Scarlett, J. G. Harkness, W. Phibbs; 9.43: R. Kilkenny, J. Lake, J. Hill; 9.47:’E. Smith, W. Stuckey, W. Larsen; 9.51: J. Bird, K. Shrimpton, R. Tullock; 9.55: J. McDonald, A. Daily.

Players not on the tee at time of starting will automatically forfeit their position and go to the bottom of the draw. Anyone starting at tees other than those specified will be disqualified. The penalty for putting or approaching to No. 18 green prior to commencing the match is disqualification.