WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 7

WEST COAST NEWS.

TROUBLE ON STEAMER. (Special to the “Star.”) GREYMOUTH, January 2. When William Frederick Heath, a member of the crew of the steamer Kaponga, went aboard early yesterday morning, he assaulted David Harcus and William John Stephenson, who were in their, bunks at the time. Later in the day Heath appeared before Mr A. Naylor, J.P.. and Mr F. W. Shallcrass, J.P., on two charges of assault. He was convicted and fined £2 on each charge, half of the fine to go to each of the assaulted men. SLIP HOLDS UP TRAFFIC. A fall of rock occurred yesterday on the Greymouth-Punakaiki Road, just past the steep cutting on Batty’s Hill, at the twelve-mile peg. A number of motorists and cyclists were held up for some hours on either side of the slip while a gang of Public Works men cleared the obstruction. It was found necessary to blast several larger rocks. One of the workmen had a fortunate escape. He slipped and fell a short way down a steep cliff on the sea side of the road, but he was caught by his coat on a rock. ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEY. The theft of a considerable sum of money is reported to have occurred at Runanga. The numbers of some of the stolen notes are known and the police are endeavouring to trace them. IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER. The rainfall during the twenty-four hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday totalled .76in, bringing the rainfall for 1929 up to 94in, compared with 89in in 1928. The weather improved yesterday, and was again fine to-dav. RETURN OF CUSTOMS DUTIES. The sum of £4131 13s 7d was collected during December as customs duty at Greymouth. The duties collected for the same period of 1928 totalled £3927 2s 7d. PORT OF GREYMOUTH. During December, 28 steamers with a net tonnage of 14,453 entered the port of Greymouth, and twenty-nine steamers, having a*, total net tonnage of 16,989, were cleared outwards. BOWLING TOURNAMENT. The Greymouth Bowling Club held a progressive pairs tournament yesterday, the green being in excellent condition. H. G. Davis won the leads’ trophj’-, and W. Fletcher won the skips’ prize. PERSONAL. The condition of the jockey, G. Barr, who was injured when Tane was killed in the Greymouth Cup race yesterday, is reported to be satisfactory. His shoulder is injured, and will be examined under the X-rays. The wedding took place this morning at Holy Trinity Church of Miss Laura Benyon, third daughter of the late Mr W. J. and Mrs Benyon, of Kumara, to Mr A. V. Adams, of Thames. Archdeacon J. A. Jermyn officiated. Mr and Mrs Adams left for New Plymouth, where they will reside. The death occurred at Blenheim yesterday of Mr J. S. Jermyn, grandfather of Archdeacon Jermyn, aged eighty-nine years. The late Mr Jermyn arrived at Nelson in 1844 and was an eye-witness of the Wairau Massacre. He was engaged in farming until he retired. The death took place at Sydney of Miss Christie, sister of the late Mrs A. Miller, of Westport. HOKITIKA. (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, January 2. New Year’s Eve was the wettest and roughest for years, and the streets were empty at a comparatively early hour. The weather cleared and was beautifully fine for New Year’s Day, and the lakes were patronised by many picnic parties. The weather was perfect again to-day, which is generally kept as a holiday. A trotting meeting is to be held to-morrow, for which conditions are very promising. There are many touring motorists in the district and those who have visited South Westland report that the roads are in excellent order. Business people report that trade over the holidays was generally good and an improvement on the previous year. Tourists and holiday makers are now finding their way to Westland in increasing numbers. There was a large number of arrivals from Christchurch in to-day’s express, including many who are booking for the glacier trips.