REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 October 1941, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent) REEFTON, October 13.

Mr. Walter Bissett, employed at the Alexander Mine, had the misfortune to get his left hand crushed by a fall of stone in the mine last week. He came to Reef ton for treatment and Dr? Wicken had to amputate the little finger, which was badly crushed. The heavy rain of last week combined with a rising temperature, had the effect of melting most of the snow on the ranges In the vicinity of Reefton. This fact is welcomed by gardeners and others. A sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board (5 A) was held at Reefton, the Board being Messrs. W. Meldrum (chairman) A. J. Panther and G. Manson. Mr. Lovell represented the. crown. The appeals resulted as follows: —• Frederick William Quaile. truck driver on the grounds of public interest, appeal by the Inangahua Sawmilling Company (Mr. Patterson) adjourned sine die. William Cleets Fensom, trollyman, on tne ground of undue hardship (Mr. Patterson). Appellant gave evidence that he was a married man with one child employed at Maimai sawmill. Mr. Patterson asked that the appeal be amended as appellant was in the incorrect class. The application was adjourned. For Francis Joseph Schwass, bushman, there was an appeal by Gilsennan Bros, public interest and undue hardship, adjourned sine die. John Herd Mulligan builder, appeal on the ground of undue hardship. Appellant stated he had been constantly employed building, and it was impossible to obtain others to complete the works he had in hand. —Adjourned sine die. William Thomas Hempseed, appeal on the ground of public interest and undue hardship. Appellant was the sole member of the family in charge of the business.—Adjourned sine die. William Douglas on the grounds of public interest and undue hardship. No appearance of appellant.—Struck out. Charles Arthur Marsden, farmer appealed on grounds of public interest and undue hardship, Mrs Marsden, mother of appellant in a statement said he managed the farm. His father was an invalid, being confined to bed almost half the time. Reservist was unable to do hard work owing to heart trouble. The farm could not do, with less hands.— Adjourned sine die. Thomas Raymond Patterson, farmer appeal bv Mrs E. Patterson on the ground of public interest and undue hardshipThe farm was 100 acres and had 25 milking cows. Up to the time oi his father’s death the work had been done by his father and himself. He was a member of the Home Guard. — Adjourned sine die. Mrs Bloxam, of JJeathcote, Christchurch, is on a visit to her daughter Mrs J'as Bolitho, of Black’s Point. Many years ago Mrs Bloxam successfully conducted the Gragalee at the junction of the Inangahua and left-hand branch rivers.

The Gymnasium Hall was packed when the district high school Children’s Fancy Dress Ball took place. Mrs W. and Miss J. Archer supplied the music for the children’s dances, and an orchestra of four instruments that for the seniors’ dancing, and it was most favourably commented upon. The supper supplied was excellent in every way and was liberally supplied. During the evening two novelty dances were decided, the Monte Carlo being awarded to Miss Jean Lawry and partner and the

Lucky Spot to Mr. and Mrs A. McElwee.

A slight earthquake was felt in Reefton ar 9.30 on Saturday. It was not severe, but was preceded by a rumbling noise. ,Mr W. Johnston, of Black’s Point, who has been employed in the Railway Office at Christchurch, has returned to Reef ton. On Wednesday ne leaves for the North Island, where he joins the Tank Corps. Inangahua Silver Band gave an open-air programme at me Rotunda last evening. The weather was not favourable', and the attendance of the public was not large. The friends of Mrs Thompson, of the Terrace, who has been seriously ill for some time, will be pleased to learn that she is now much better. An inquest was held before Mr W. B. Auld. J.P., as Coroner, as to the sudden death on October 10 of George Macpherson. Dr. Wicken said that at Snowy River dredge at Hukarere, on arrival he found Macpherson dead. He performed a post mortem in company with Dr Brockenshire,- and found that the heart showed signs of disease. In witness’s opinion, the man had a sudden fibrillation of the left ventricular muscle, which caused sudden death. He considered that, undue effort no doubt caused the fibrillation to set in. Hp nad treated the man for a serious illness. He appeared to recover from the illness, and witness had talked with the man on October 6, when he seemed to be well. Dr. Brockenshire gave corroborative evidence.. Alexander Keith, of Snowy River Dredge, said he had known deceased 10 months. Macpherson had enjoyed good health, and had not complained of being ill. Deceased and he with two others were working alongside the screening down box when deceased collapseu, as he was stooping over, and washing down The ripples weighed about 491 b. Deceased lifted these during the morning in the course of his work. He also climbed ladders. Dr. Wicken said the work done by deceased was too strenuous for a man whose heart was in such a condition. The Coroner found the-cause of death was sudden fibrillation of the left ventricular muscle due to undue effort. Constable Nelson, of Waiuta, was ordered to Hoiterangi on Saturday, and Constable Murphy, of Reefton, Left for the same olacp this morning.