REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1941, Page 2

REEFTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. REEFTObI, May 19. Mr. Arthur McKenna, of the P. and T. staff, has received notice of his transfer to the radio section at Wellington, and leaves for his new position next week. On Saturday night a cold snap began. Yesterday morning the ranges had a' good coating of snow. Showers fell in the afternoon, but not sufficient to- prevent outdoor games. Many Reefton friends learned with regret of the death at Greymouth of Miss Elizabeth Campbell, who for many years resided here, and then went to Kopara, where her brothers purchased a farm, later going to live in Christchurch and then to Greymouth. After the declaration of the poll on Saturday, Mr. F. W. Archer thanked the ratepayers for returning him as a County Council member for Reefton Riding. Mr. J’. B. Discaciati, returning thanks for being elected to the Hospital Board, said there were several matters that should be remedied in the hospital administration. He would do his best to see that alterations he considered necessary were made. Mr. J. B. Auld thought Mr. Discaciati’s remarks a reflection on the previous Board, but he would be able to learn for himself when sitting on the Board that things were not as he painted them. Had it not been for the war, they would by now have had a new and up-to-date hospital building on the way. 'They had the consent of the Government, also an architect was appointed, and the Government were assisting them, but the war stopped the work.

Another pleasant evening was spent in the Y.M.C.A. Hall on the occasion of the' second aggregate night in a series of euchre tournaments held by the Inangahua Junction < Patriotic Committee. Opportunity was taken to bid farewell to one of the local soldiers, Dempsey Delaney, who was home on leave from Trentham Military Camp. Visitors were presnt from the Lyell, Cronadun and Landing, and included Mr. Jim Conradson, of Weheka. The number present testified to the esteem in which the guest of the evening was held. The euchre was won by Mrs. J. Hurley and Mr. W. Sidwell. After supper dancing was indulged in, sparkling music. being supplied by Mr. Jack Whitnail, with extras by Miss O. Smith (Cronadun). Mr. Frank Freitas carried out the duties of M.C. Mr. A. W. Bell, on behalf of the local Patriotic Committee and local residents, presented Mr. Delaney with a patriotic parcel and money belt and hold-all. Mr. Delaney suitably replied.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Margaret Hampson took place on Friday afternoon, the remains having been brought from Christchurch the previous day. AH her family were present at the interment, the prayers being read at the graveside in the Suburban Cemetery by the Rev. Father Butler. The attendance was very large, and included many old residents from all parts of the district.

Thomas Maher, a son of Mr. and. Mrs. J l . Maher, Grey Road, writing to his parents, says that one night in. October when his ship was coming to its base it was attacked by a squadron of “Jerries,” and one of the bombs dropped went right through the ship’s side and lodged between the ship’s decks without exploding. “After we got the hole in the ship’s side patched up,” he says, “we were only at sea a couple of weeks when, we were rammed by one of the ships in our convoy. It left a great hole in our port side, almost big enough

to drive a car through! There was a little bit of a panic. We thought we were going down that night, but, fortunately, we have some good engineers on board, and they saved her from going right over. I thought we wouldn’t see Christmas, but we did, and had Christmas Day ashore. When the extent of the damage to the ship was seen we were given 12 days’ leave—and I caught the ’flu. I was only laid up for four days. Our leave was later extended by another 16 days. I spent the extra leave in Edinburgh, which is one of the cleanest cities I have seen outside Perth. We stopped at the Overseas Servicemen’s Club at Edinburgh and three of the men we met there were soldiers in the Forestry Division from the West Coast.” The letter concludes with a' reference to his brother Denis’s ship, which was successfully engaged in the “scrap” in the Mediterranean, saying that he seems to have “all the luck.” Advice has been received in Reefton by Mrs. Scarlett that her son, Driver F. Scarlett, and her grandson, Gunner J. J. Reid, of the N.Z. E.F., are safe and well in Egypt. Mrs. S. Allen has also received , a cablegram from her son, Signaller S. Allen, advising that he is safe and well.

At the fortieth annual meeting of the Inangahua Silver Band officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. F. W. Archer; Patron, Mr. E. Nicholson (re-elected unopposed); Bandmaster, Mr. H. L. Robinson; Deputy Bandmaster, Mr. R. Honey: Treasurer, Mr. A. G. Reid; Sergeant, Mr. A. G.’ Reid; Corporal,' Mr. L. Kearns; Lance Corporals, Messrs D. Robertson, E. Eager; Drum Major, Mr. T. Baird; Librarians, M. Nicholls, T. Gilmour; Vice-Presidents, Messrs V. Newcombe, S. Newcombe, W. Harvey, A. J. Butler, M. S'. O’Malley, J. Patterson, C. Cleaver, C. Lawn, W. Hopley, F. Lynch, W. J. Barry; Secretary, Mr. T. Baird (reelected). The secretary’s salary was fixed at £8 for the year. The ladies’ committee was re-elected: Mesdames F. Kearns, senr., A. Hill, E. Baird, E. Collier, W. Harvey, D. Robertson, A. G. Reid, C. Potter, J. Finlay. The annual report, which was received and adopted, showed that during the year there had been a serious loss of senior players, including two enlistments. Seven members of the learners’ class have been added to the playing strength. Mr. Collier referred to the work with the learners’ class carried out by the Bandmaster, Mr. 'H. L. Robinson.