REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 26 February 1942, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) REEFTON, February 25. At a meeting of the committee of the Reeiton Trotting Club, held last evening, the following new members were elected: Messrs J. McElwee, senr., C. H. Chandler, B. Shaw and A. Eklund. Nominations received for the Club’s meeting are very sat-, isfactory, and a good day’s racing is assured. The public can rest assured that the club will definitely race on March 7. This has been made a certainty by the fact. that the Government has acceded to the request to reinstate the special train from Westport for the meeting.. The committee are deserving of the utmost assistance from the townspeople in their effort in these difficult times. Work at the Burke’s Creek collieries is proceeding satisfactorily, and all the available men are being engaged on the production of coal, repair work to the buildings and plant, and assistance in erecting poles for the installation of power from the Grey Electric Power Board. It is expected that the power will be available in about live weeks’ time, this being made possible by the utmost co-operation between the Power Board and the Burke’s Creek Collieries. Whilst the fire at the mine caused damage to the buildings and plant it is pleasing to note that the production of coal is being carried on, and praise is due to the Company’s staff for their efficient handling of the matter. • » The Reefton Company of the Home Guard held their usual full day parade on Sunday, Mr W. J. Humphries, Officer Commanding, being in command of the parade. There was a large attendance. Roll strength was heavier than at a weekend parade for several months. The day’s programme was devoted to range shooting, the Company holding its first shoot since the commencement of training, twelve months ago. No. 1,2, 3, and 4 Platoons fired grouping practice and also application. Recruits fired group practice. Two platoons in the morning carried out bombing practice and field exercises, while • the recruits were given a course in squad drill and rifle exercises. A fine hot day made for ideal training conditions, and the unit enjoyed an interesting and successful dav’s work. The inquest into the death of John T. Crowley, at Inangahua Landing was concluded at Reefton on Saturday, the Coroner returning a verdict that the cause of death was due to injuries received when deceased was accidentally run over by the wheels of a back bogey of a rake of logs, which were being conveyed from the bush to the Landing Sawmill. From evidence submitted, he was of the opinion that the rolling stock and tram were in good order and condition, and that no blame was attachable to the mill management. Robert L. Ross, loco, driver at Landing Sawmill, stated in evidence that three men were ridingon the logs on the front truck, four on the rear truck, and two other men and witness were riding in the loco cab. when he was driving the loco, on the return from the hush. On the third descent the wheels of the loco, and bogey commenced to skid, due to wet rails caused by a shower of rain, which had fallen just before this. The loco, gathered speed and witness called -to the men to jump. All got clear except deceased, who appeared to step off the logs at right angles, instead of in the direction of the travel of the load. This caused him to overbalance, and he fell back against the loco, which spun him around. As the loco, and first bogey passed, he must have fallen on the line, and the rear’ bogey passed over him. They did not travel more than six or seven yards after witness called to the men to jump before*they were al! off the loco and trucks. The loco, was still in reverse when witness jumped clear, and it travelled some 300 yards before leaving the rails. Witness had driven over this line for some two years, and the loco, and tram-line were in good order. Witness considered that the accident was due to the greasy state of the rails, caused by rain, which had fallen just before the accident. Gordon F. Barrow, manager of Landing Sawmill, who was in the cab, gave corroborative evidence. Duncan Hardie, bush contractor of Landing Sawmill, described the steps taken to break the load on inclines. He had worked two years at the mill, and had not known the loco, to get out of control before. Constable Murphy, of Reefton, said he visited the scene of the accident, and the track appeared to be well laid, the rails firmly attached to the sleepers on the line, and the sleepers were in sound 'condition. Sergeant Ebbett represented the police at the inquest.