REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 7 December 1940, Page 9

REEFTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] REEFTON, December 6. Mr C. McEiwee occupied the chair at the monthly meeting of the Reefton -Businessmen’s Association Committee, nine members being present. Mr A. F. Wells, Postmaster, addressed the members on the national saving scheme, and gave information as to the formation of savings groups, and answered a number of questions. He was accorded a vote of thanks for his address and thanked members for the opportunity to address the meeting. Inangahua County Council wrote, asking that the Association appoint a representative on a Committee to organise the Home Guard in Reefton. On the motion of Messrs J. Patterson and W. J. Duff, Mr C. Lawn was appointed. The Railway Department advised that the Association’s request for special trains to and from Inangahua Junttion on December 20th and 24th. had been granted. The secretary was empowered to arrange for the running of a free ’bus service to and from the Railway Station on December 20th and 24th. It was resolved 'that Xmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and January 2nd. be closing days. The festivity Week programme to commence on Wednesday, Dec. 20, was finalised. Mr J. Crossman' was appointed organiser for various events. The secretary reported he had engaged the Gymnasium Hail for a patriotic dance on ! December 21. Miss J. Archer was to be asked to assist with the judging of the Best Decorated shop competition, and Mr Stanley to act as a judge. A lucky article competition was to be a feature. 'The Association decided to recommend "to the Inangahua County Council that for the coming year the Statutary holiday be Saturday. The organisation of a barrow day for patriotic funds by the Association for December 6th, was discussed, and it was resolved that the project be, postponed until the end of January. Business people had promised support, but in view of the approach of Christmas, it was considered that a mok-e successful day would be held later in January. The County Council wrote in reply to a request made by the Association that attention be given to Jubilee Park; that the Council take steps to deal with the dilapidated building in Broadway; and that the vacant sections in Broadway be cleaned up for Xmas. The Council advised that the Engineer had been directed to give attention to Jubilee Park, that the owner of the building in Broadway had been requested to place this in a state of safety. The Council had no power to clean up vacant sections in Broadway, as these were private property. Mr J. -Dellaca moved, and Mr W. J. Duff seconded, that the Association request the Council to place at work on Jubilee Park one of the three men now on Scheme 13, who are competent gardeners, with a view to improving the Park.’ The motion was carried. The Inangahua Hospital Board advised that they could not assist in the provision of another doctor at Reefton, as this was outside the province of the Board’s work. The question of holding an annual gathering for Assn, members was considered, and it was decided to hold a dinner. On the motion of Messrs C. McEiwee and W. J. Duff, it was decided the Association hold an annual gathering on a Saturday evening, at a date to be fixed.

Blackwater Mines, Ltd., appealed for Claude Downes, timberman, George Young, miner, and William D. Brown, trucker when the Manpower Committee met here, • viz.: BrigadierGeneral Mpldrum (chairman), Messrs P. J. McLean, A. J. Panther and the secretary (J'. Shapcott). The appeal for Downes was made on the grounds that he Was a. mine timber man and level repairer, his work being of a special.,, nature. The Company could not replace him and mine output would suffer as the recruit was constantly repairing levels to transport ore. In the case of Young and Brown, it would be difficult to replace both. The mine had lost 13 men byenlistment. Mr. W. Gore Porter, secretary, gave evidence. The three appeals were adjourned gine die. ■Thomas McCauliffe appealed on the grounds of public interest and of undue hardship. A statement was submitted by James McCauliffe, who asked for total exemption for his only son. They had a farm of 666

acres, running 35 cows and a large flock of sheep. The recruit was the only shearer available and would shortly have 1,000 sheep to shear. They had 100 acres of bush burn to be sown in the winter. Mr. A. D. Mercer, Fields Inspector, corroborated the statement, and pointed out that Mr. McCauliffe was not in good health and the difficulty of replacing men particularly in Maruia. —Appeal adjourned to May 31, to be then reviewed.

Mary Wraight. appeal for Charles J. Wraight, on 'grounds of undue hardship and public interest. Appellant stated the recruit was the only son on the farm. One son was serving overseas. They were milking a large herd and running dry stock, also 400 sheep. Mr. Mercer gave evidence in support.—Appeal adjourned until May 31, to be then reviewed. -

Eliza J. Creighton, Maruia, appealed for Eric A. Bailey, her employee, on grounds of undue hardship and public interest. In a statement submitted, Mrs. Creighton said that she was 80 years of age, and a widow, living with her daughter. The recruit was the only man employed on the farm, which carried some '4OO sheep and a herd of cows, and they could not carry on without him. Mr. Mercer, gave evidence in support. Appeal, on grounds of public interest struck out that for undue hardship adjourned to May 31 to be reviewed.

William G. Boulter- appealed for Maxwell G. Boulter, on grounds of difficulty to carry on farming without recruit. Appellant said he was 64 years of age and not in good health. Mr. Mercer supported the appeal, but stated appellant was willing to have recruit go to camp in the winter.—Beriod of service postponed until May 1. James B. Milligan appealed for James W. Milligan, on grounds of undue hardship and public interest. He asked for a postponement of service. —Bostponement granted for three months.

Andrew Douglas appealed for his son; William Douglas, on grounds of undue hardship and public interest. There being no appearance of appellant or recruit, the Committee did not accept a statement submitted. Appeal to be heard at Greymouth at next sitting. David H. Ross appealed on grounds of public interest and undue hard--ship. Appellant said he was joint owner with his brother, who was in bad health, of 240 acres of land at Inangahua Landing. They milked by hand 20 cows. He could undertake to do his training in flip winter months. Bostponement of service to May 1 granted. Gilsennan Bros., on grounds of undue hardship and public interest, appealed for Francis J'. Schwass. Richard Gilsennan stated that recruit was employed as a prop-cutter and bushman. They had a contract with the State Mines for mining timber and pit props, and supplied logs to Inangahua Landing sawmill. The recruit was 23 years of age and was a skilled bushman. They were working short handed and could not get an extra man.—Appeal adjourned sine die.

The Director of National Service appealed for Arthur A. Le Petit, porter, Reef ton, and Charles Douglas Foster-Davidson engine cleaner and acting-fireman, 'on the grounds of public interest. —Both recruits were granted postponement of service for six months.