STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1944, Page 6

STOCKTON NOTES

(Our Own Corresponaent)

Mr. and 'Mrs. D. Gemmell and Mr. R. Bennett returned during the weekend after a visit to Wellington. Mrs. Wilfred Parfitt, who is a patient in the Westport Hospital, is improving after her recent operation. Gunner J. Connew arrived home on Saturday, after overseas service in the Pacific.

Mrs. J. Brownlie and Miss I. Brownlie have left the township and are now residing in Westport. Mrs. Brownlie had resided in Stockton for approximately thirty years and was one of the oldest residents. Mr. and Mrs. L. Krammer and family have taken over the residence lately occupied bv Mrs. J. Brownlie. Mr. and Mrs. Stenhouse have purchased the residence formerly owned by Mt. and Mrs. A. Hunter. "Mrs. Ladner of Reefton is visiting her sister, Mrs. C. Steele. Mr. W. Little has returned to work after bejng on the injured list for a few weeks. Miss B. Gemmell has returned after spending a holiday in Westport. Miss M. Fox, of Wellington, was a visitor to the township on Monday. Miss J. McGregor, of Blenheim, left on return on Monday, after spending a short holiday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. McGregor. The severe injuries suffered by Mr. W. Parfitt on Thursday morning, came as a shock to the whole township. After receiving attention at the scene of the accident, the injured man was conveyed as speedily as possible to the Stockton surgery, and, after examination by Dr. J. Simpson, to the Westport Hospital. There it was found necessary to operate, but Mr. Parfitt' died on Friday morning. He leaves a wife, one son, and two daughters. The late Mr. Parfitt and family arrived in the Buller district from Abertillery, Monmouthshire, England, more than twenty years ago, and at one time worked ip; the Millerton mine. Fifteen years ago, he started in business at Stockton, recently disposing of his business to Mr. W. Burns and taking up employment with the Westport-Stockton ZCoal Company. At the inquest held on Saturday morning in Westport, before Mr. C. H. Thomas, as Coroner, and a jury of four, a verdict was returned that death was caused by shock following injuries to both levs and the left arm after Mr. Parfitt had been run over by a coal train at the Stockton Mine. The sympathy of the whole district will be extended to the sorrowing relatives.

The funeral of the late Mr. Parfitt. took place on Sunday at the Westport Cemetery and was largely attended by members .of the Ngakawau Miners’ Union from Stockton, Granitv and Hector.