REEFTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 29 April 1942, Page 8

REEFTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). REEFTON, April 28.

Among those who have left lor camp from Reefton are R. Lawn, J. (Buckland, W. Bonifacio and L. Hall. Mr W. Hople- 7 who has been on a short visit to Christchurch, has returned.

The monthly meeting of the Inangahua Hospital Board was attended by the following: Messrs J'. B. Auld (chairman), W. F. Archer, J. B. Discacaiti, T. R. Watson, J. J. Coghlan, W. Clayton, J. F. Coghlan, B. Mlrfin and J. Banks (secretary). The chairman made reference to the death of Nurse Hughes and expressed sincere regret at the loss of one of the finest sisters in charge of tne Ziman Ward. Nurse Hughes was respected by everyone she came mto contact with. He would like tae board’s regret recorded in the minutes and the sympathy of the board forwarded to the relatives. The motion was carried by members standing in silence. A letter was received from the Defence Construction Department wherein it stated that the building of a new Inangahua Hospital was placed on the list cf second priority. Members agreed that the board should have everything in readiness so as to allow the building to go right ahead when permission was given. The department of Health wrote stating that the Hon. Minister of Health had approved of the board’s application for a bank overdraft of up to £750. The Department also forwarded particulars of the recent wage increases to workers who were covered by awards. Employees not covered ' by. awards were not affected, but it was suggested that the board would do something in this direction. It was moved by Mr J. J. Coghlan, seconded by Mr Discacaiti and carried: “That the workers not covered by the recent award rise in wages be granted a like increase to be made retrospective to 7th April.” The Department of Health also forwarded a circular dealing with the urgent need for institutions to grow sufficient vegetables for their needs. The chairman stated that the present garden was being extended. The Medical Superintendent reported as follows for the month: Admitted 40, discharged 30, deaths nil, remaining 35, X-ray 17, out-patients 14, attendances 76, births 8, anaethetics 10. The report was received. The tender of E. LoughnarT for the supply cf firewood at 35s per cord was accepted. Tenders for the supply of coal were received as follows: — Pyramid Coal Co., screened 42s per ton, face 32s 6d, nuts 30s; Burriweli Collieries, screened and mixed nuts 30s, face 255. It was decided that no tender be accepted. The chairman reported that local board members had visited the hospital and several important matters had been attended to. Messrs T. R. Watson and W. F. Archer were appointed as the visiting committee for the month. The estimates for the year were approved. It was decided to increase the secretary’s salary to £4 per week. At the monthly meeting of the Inangahua County Council a lengthy discussion took place on the application of Nicholls Bros, for a grant towards metalling the road leading tp their coal mine. Cr Coghlan proposed and Cr O’Regan seconded that the road be metalled. Cr Watson opposed the motion, as did Cr Hempseed, both stating that they would be creating a precedent. Cr Archer pointed out that it was the responsibility of the council to assist ratepayers and employees in the mine were ratepayers. Employment in the coal mines was mostly the sole existence in the district and coal mining was an essential industry. Cr Watson said that no revenue was received from these coal mines and he did not see why the council should spend money on the roads, it was the responsibility of the Government. Cr Archer moved that the council expend up to £2O on metalling the road in anticipation of a grant from the Mines Department. Coghlan and carried. Cr. Coghlan made mention of the fact that the railways were not clearing the coal trucks from Cronadun as speedily as could be desired and he moved that the Railway Department be requested to lift the coal more frequently. It was resolved to ask the Railway Department to provide watering facilities for stock at the Inangahua Junction station.' On the motion of Crs Coghlan and O’Regan it was decided that the attention of the military authorities be drawn to the suitability of Ikamatua and Fern Flat as a site for a military camp. Mr W. B. Clayton presided at the monthly meeting of the Inangahua County Patriotic Committee. Present: Messrs J. Coghlan, Rev. R. Seaton, J. K. Patterson, Jas Patterson, N. McMahon, A. Stanley, J. Smith, G. Mellett, S. Whitehead, P. Lord, A. W. Bell, W. B. Auld (secretary). The chairman referred to the loss sustained in the district by the death of Mr Geo. Perry, and he moved that the sympathy of the committee be accorded Mrs Perry. The motion was passed by members standing in silence. The Westland Patriotic Committee advised that supplies of air force wool and material for hussifs were being sent on. The National Patriotic Fund Board advised that supplies of knitted articles were now' needed for forces in New Zealand as well as those overseas. Resolved that the Westland Committee be asked to supply the additional wool needed for this work. The board also advised that the district quota for this year for funds would now be £1587, meaning an additional £393 for the Inangahua district. It was resolved that the secretary ascertain from the Westland District Committee the balance of the money to be collected to fill . this quota for the year. The (Westland Committee advised another' despatch of gift parcels, to be on hand in Wellington for May 31, the Inangahua quota to be 93 parcels. It was decided to allot these as Reef- ' ton 31, Ikamat.ua and Junction 14 each, Cronadun 11, Waiuta 14. Mr Discacaiti asked that the local gifts be on hand in Reefton on May 1. It was resolved that committees be asked to collect the contents of parcels for this date. The board wrote appealing for donations from each family for one cup and saucer for use in canteens for the forces. The letter was received. The Rev. R. Seaton forwarded his resignation. The chairman moved that the resignation be accepted with regret, as Mr Seaton had been an active and useful member of the committee. He exnressed the regret of members at losing Mr Seaton. The motion was seconded by Mr Mellett and carried. Mr Seaton thanked the chairman and members for their good wishes. He regretted leaving the West Coast. 1 Mr Jas Patterson moved that the committee meet once in two months. He thought that with petrol restrictions and the coming of winter this would help country members who in some cases had to travel long distances to attend meetings. After some discussion on the matter the motion was withdrawn. Mr Discacldll said ho noted the sum of £5 contributed by the Lady Galwav Guild, lie asked if this was a refund of £5 from the £lO asked for by that body. The secretary reported that a cheque for £lO had come to hand from the Hokitika Committee to him. This had boon paid to the Lady Galway Guild an Instructed from Hokitika. The commit loe had not received advice of this grant.