WEST COAST NOTES
PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO TBM FBK2S.) GREYMOT7TH, June 17. Mr and Mrs W. Warnuck, of pamaru, are on a visit to Mrs C. Bryan, Kotuku. The Bev. G. Barker, vicar of Ahaura, has decided not to accept the offer made to him at Beefton. Mr H. Mason left this morning on transfer to the Bailway Department at Christchurch. Obituary., The death occurrod last evening of Mr Jas. Laing, an old resident of Greymouth. Born at Linton, Scotland, 93 years ago, he landed in Auckland in 1864, from where, afteir following the gold rushes—Dunstan and Gabriel's Gully, in Otago—he went to Greymouth in 1863. He was a grocer in the mining camps along the coast to Hokitika, and finally settled in Greymouth. He leaves a widow, five sons, and one daughter. The death took place on Monday of Mr Michael Maloney, cf Petone, and formerly of the West Coast. He was 100 years of age, and was an old resident of the Taramakau settlement. He left some years ago to live in Petone. He leaves a son and a daughter. Advice has been received 'by Mr Gabriel Heinz, sen., of Hokitika, of the death of his brother Philip -in the United States. Mr Philip Heinz was a twin brother of the late Mr William Heinz, of Hokitika, who died a few years ago. Mr Philip Heinz, who died at the age of 86 years, was on the West Coast in the early mining days, and was a partner of Mr. David Spence, at Woodstock, and subsequently of Mr W. B. Kettle, of Greymouth, in the Grey Valley. He had resided in America for several years. Otira Tunnel. The amount of coal, timber, and general merchandise railed through the Otira tunnel for the last week was 12,797 tons, compared with 11,195 tons for the corresponding period in 1929, and 12,866 tons for the same period in 1928. Miners' Conference. The report of the recent conference between the West Coast District Council of miners' representatives and the coal-owners was considered at a meeting of the Council yesterday in Greymouth. It was reported that the Coal Owners' Association representatives had agreed to the wishes of the miners regarding the terms of a new agreement. It was resolved to refer the report to each of the constituent unions for ratification over next week-end.
Footballer Injured. During the progress of the football match between Ikamatua an d_ Reef ton on Saturday, a player named Sid Richards received a blow in the face, fracturing his nose. He continued playing, though in great pain, but an injury to an arm compelled his retirement. Public Meeting. A public meeting was held at Reefton last evening to protest against the action of the Mines Department in shifting the Mines Office to Greymouth. Mr W. Clayton presided, and 36 members were present, following resolution was adopted:—"That this meeting of citizens, representing the mining Indus try, strongly protests against the proposed transfer of the Mines Office from Reefton to Greymouth, upon the grounds that it is contrary to the interests of the coal and goldmining industries, and will prove more expensive and less efficient for administration, and that a eopy of the letter and resolution be sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Mines, the Hon. Mark Fagan, Messrs G. C. Black, H. E. Holland, M.P., and the Hon. W. Mclntyre. War Pensions Board. The War Pensions Board is expected to meet at Hokitika on July 19th. Returned Soldiers' Association. The General Committee of the Hokitika branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association met last evening, Mr J. D. i &vans (president) presiding. It was
reported that the membership now Btanda at 42, and that it is hoped to enrol an additional number of members, there being over 200 ex-service men in the district. Messrs Appleton, Lynch, and Patprson were appointed a sub-commit-tee to draft rules for the branch. Opossums. The opossum trapping seaso'n Is not likely, from all reports, to, be asgood as last season in the matter, of the'ntimbcr of skins secured. Only .trappers in the high country appear to be doing at all well. About 120 trappers are out in the Westland - district. Unemployment Relief. Advice has been. received that the authority to commence Dorothy Falls road by the Public Works Department is now to liand, and arrangements are being made to employ afcout 40 men, accommodation for whom will be provided in specially built hutments on the,line of the road. Supreme Court. The quarterly sitting, of the Supreme Court was continued to-day, his Honour Mr Justice Adams presiding. The .Court was occupied all day hearing evidence in the case of Egidio Bearzath ▼. Frederick Walter . Wise, a claim for £798 13s, damages arising out of an alleged motor accident. Mr P. J. O'Began and Mr W. J. Joyce appeared for plaintiff, and Mr C. S. Thomas (Christchurch) for defendant. The statement of claim set out that on Saturday, June 29th, 1929, when approaching the main railway station at Greymouth, plaintiff was struck by a motorcar driven by defendant, that his right leg was fractured, in consequence of which he has since been totally disabled from working, Wd he has suffered serious and permanent injury; that defendant waß driving from the direction of Mackay street towards the railway station, and that the accident was due to his negligence in that (1) he was driving at an excessive speed, and (2) he gave no signal or . other indication that the car was approaching; that plaintiff wag a miner, and his average earnings prior to the accident were not less than £4 15s 6d per week. He claimed as special damages 41 weeks' wages at £4 15s 6d per week, amounting to £195 15s, medical and hospital expenses £lO2- 18s 6d, and £SOO as gonerai damages, a total of £798 13s. Evidence was given in support of the claim. Mr Thomas, for defendant, contended that no proof had been given of negligence or of failing to give a signal. On these grounds he considered that a nonsuit should be allowed. His Honour considered that the case should proceed.
The defendant, Frederick Walter Wise, storekeeper at Kumara, said that he was driving Constable Patterson ,to Cobden at the time of the accident, and was travelling at between 10 and 15 miles an hour. He saw Bearzatti when about 37 yards distant. When within 30 feet of Bearzatti the latter faltered, and to avoid him witness veered to the left. He felt a jolt, and pulled up in about a car and a half's length, and assisted the injured man- till he got to the Grey Hospital. Supporting evidence wah given by H. Rattray, P. E, Sweetman, and Constable Patterson.
After counsel had addressed the jury his Honour summed up. The jury retired at 7.50 p.m.'and returned at 9.20 p.m. with a verdict that the defendant's car was driven at an excessive speed under the circnmstances; that such excessive speed was the real cause of the accident; that there was no contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff, and that general damages of £3OO be awarded, making a total of £598 13s altogether. His Honour gave judgment accordingly, with costs. Mr Thomas moved for leave to appeal, and this was granted. Grant for Bridge. Advice has been received that the Public Works Department has approved of a £2 for £1 subsidy on the cost of a bridge at Big River, Moonlight. Hospital Board. The Westland Hospital Board met at Hokitika last evening. Mr W. Jeffrie* nominated Mr J. J. Breeze for the position of chairman. , The motion was seconded by Mr Keenaa and carried unanimously.
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Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19957, 18 June 1930, Page 2
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1,274WEST COAST NOTES Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19957, 18 June 1930, Page 2
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