LOCAL AND GENERAL

Western Star, 19 April 1940, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Riverton basketball players engaged in a preliminary practice, on Wednesday afternoon. In a recent competition for a halfton of coal presented by Dawson Bros, to the Riyerton Football Club in aid of a past member who is in hospital. it was won by Mr K. Williams, South Rivei'ton. Thie death of Dr. James Young, a former superintendent of thei Riverton hospital, which occurred recently in England, was referred to by members of the Southland Hospital Board yesterday. A resolution of sympathy with his relations was carried. In this issue the Railway Department advertises particulars of train services running in the Southland district on Anzac Day. It should be noted that all Road Motor Services operated by the Department in this district, also the Lake Wakatipu Steamer Service, will be suspended on Anzac Day. Mr Gorman Berndtson, as reported in 'The Western Star,' recently achieved the distinction, with his wife, of being the first from Milford Sound to return overland to Riverton through the Homed' Tunnel. Mr Berndtson, who has been in charge of the Gove.niment launch, "Donald Sutherland," at Milford Sound, has accepted an appointment with the Stewart Island Ferry Service. He was born at Riverton and attended the District High School here. was apprenticed to the sea on the Government steamer "Hinemoa," which was then engaged on the lighthouse service, and took her around the whole of the coast of New Zealand. He finished his deep sea service between Australia and New Zealand with the Union Oompa.uy\s boats. Last year he was successful in passing the examination for his Master's Certificate, and he will now ho the chief officer on the "Tamatea" that is encaged on the ferry service between Bluff and Oban. Mr and Mi's N. Berndtson, who are both well known in Riverton, will be residing at Bluff.

To what had been in consideration for fifty years the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) quickly made up his mind after a few minutes' discussion when he gave a favourable reply on Saturday to a deputation of Longwood settlers who asked him to consent to a deviation of the road leading to their district from the RivertonOrepuki highway to avoid a dangerous railway crossing. The deputation was introduced by the Hon Adam Hamilton. Mr J. R. Nuittall explained that a. few chains after the road left the Or -puki highway there was a sharp turn on to the railway which ran out of a cutting at that point. The only reason that there had not been a fatal accident at the crossing was the great, care exercised by locomotive and motor drivers. An alternative route which made the crossing more safe had been surveyed and formed except for a few chains, and later a subway could be constructed without heavy expense; as the location would make it a. simple matter. The Wallace County Council was prepared to contribute £1 for £4 of the total cost, which was estimated vi £SOO. Mr Semple said the proposal was quite reasonable and he was greatly in favour of all efforts to make railway crossings more safe. After inspecting the crossing he was satisfied that it should be improved and he was pre*pared to agree to the request. He would arrange for the itejm to be placed on next year's estimates.