LOCAL NEWS

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1949, Page 4

LOCAL NEWS

The full force of Sunday afternoon’ electrical thunderstorm struck Dillmanstown where lightning struck a chimney at the iesidence of Mr and Mrs R. McGrath, and travelling down into a coal range, split the sine wall of the house. Mr McGrath, who was standing near the stove, received, slight burns. A telephone was blown off its wall mounting and severely damaged at the home of Mr and Mrs J. McGrath. In a storm lasting little more than five minutes, radio Gets were damaged in several homes, while electric power wa disrupted in the whole area, including Hokitika.

Arrested on Saturday afternoon, a 65-year-old labourer, who was charged before Mr M. J. Fogarty, J.P., in the Police Court at Greymouth yesterday morning was convicted and fined 10s., the amount of his bail. He was released from gaol on Saturday evening.

On Sunday one of the six spans on the old Arnold River railway bridge near Stillwater, was dismantled and completely replaced by a new 66-foot span, a gang of 20 men being occupied for 15 hours on the task. The old bridge had given over 60 years’ service and modern steel -girders each of about 4 Otons have been used in its replacement. Two cranes, one of 10-ton and the other of 40-ton capacity, from Christchurch were used on the job from either side of the first span. They lifted out the old span and the new steel span, assembled on Saturday, was placed in position. The remaining five spans will be replaced during the next two months and a start will then bo made on the other bridges on the Grey-Reefton section. Have you seen Jeff’s new bar ? Empire Hotel. Ross. —Advt. With the object of competing in races to be held at the new Greymouth speedway at Omoto racecourse on Sunday, a party of Nelson motorcyclists made a long and fruitless trip to Greymouth only to find that, owing to bad weather conditions, the proposed meeting had to be cancelled. As their motor-cycles were specially tuned for track racing, the Nelson riders had to arrange motor truex transport for thenisolvos and their machines.

The Canterbury Education Board at its monthly meeting the following report of the Appointments Committee, confirming the following West Coast appointments: — Greymouth Main, Mrs E. L. Kiely, assistant mistress (special position); Hokitika District High , Mrs H. U. Gilbert, senior assistant mistress; Rotomanu, Miss C. F. Mallinson, sole teacher; Runanga, Mr R. J. Harrington, assistant master; Ruru, Miss N: M. Robinson, assistant mistress (music); Aratika, Mr K. D. Howie, sole teacher; Boddytown, Miss R. Thomson, sole teacher; Greymouth Main, Mrs D. M. Harrington, assistant mistress.

Some two hundred delegates of Masonic Lodges from all parts of the Dominion are to-day arriving in Greymouth for the purpose of attending the annual convocation of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of N.Z., which takes place to-mc/rrow at St. John’s Hall, Tainui Street, opening at 10 a.m., with an installation in the evening. On Thursday evening at the Trotting Club Pavilion, Victoria Park, the visitors will be the guests of the local lodges at a grand ball and reception.