WEST COAST NOTES

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20098, 29 November 1930, Page 4

WEST COAST NOTES

PERSONAL. (SPECIAL TO TEE TRBSS.) GREYMOUTII, November 28. Archdeacon Jermyn, who lias been attending tho Diocesan Synod at Nelson, returned to Greymouth to-day. The Rev. Fathors Long and Finnerty (Hokitika), O'Meeghan (Aliaura), and Henley returned by car last niglit from Christchurch, after attending the funeral of the late Father Gilbert. Obituary. The death occurred at Reefton yesterday of Mrs W. Kearns, at tho age of 88. She was a member of the wellknown Webbey family, of Nelson, and came to the West Coast by way of tho Buller Valley, living for a Bhort while at Reefton and Lycll, and finally settling at Keefton. Her husband predeceased her many years ago. She leaves a grown-up family living in various parts of Now Zealand. Three sons, Messrs Thomas, Frank, and Leslie Kearns, and two daughters, Mesdames Jas. Kiely and N. Collins, live in Reefton. The death occurred yesterday of Mr John Ruston, aged 78 years. He hnd resided in Brunner for a number of years, but loft for Denniston 26 years ago. He was for many years organist at churches throughout the Brunner and VVestport districts. He leaves a widow, three sons, Arthur (Stratford), William (Greymouth), and Georgo (Masterton), and three daughters. Accident at Bewanui. A fall from the roof occurred to-day in a section of the No. 1 Liverpool (State) colliery, and a miner, James i Connell, was partly buried. He was I quickly extricated, and apart from shock and bruises, was found to have escaped injury. Inquest. An inquest was opened before Mr W. Meldrum, Coroner, this afternoon, whon evidence of identification of Edward Thomas Kirwan, who was killed in the Paparoa mine, at Roa, yesterday, was given. The inquest was adjourned sine die. Reefton Hospital. The Inangahua Hospital Board met last evening at Reefton, tho chairman (Mr J. B. Auld) presiding. After tho ordinary business had been dealt with Mr McKane's motion, "That tho Medical Superintendent be given three months' notice of the termination of his agreement," was discussed. The chairman seconded the motion. The discussion took a considerable time, and proceedings at times became somewhat heated. After the evidence of the Matron had been heard, and Drs. Conlon and Wicken had been questioned at length (during which time both medical men gave their reasons for what was described as delay in treating a patient) the motion was allowed to lapse. Dr. Conlon asked that his explanation, furnished to the Board at its previous mooting, bo printed, and the Board agreed to this. False Pretences. At the Hokitika Magistrate's Court to-day, Robt. Wm. Blythes was charged with obtaining, by means of a false pretence, from Frank Bade, an overcoat valued at £4 2s 6d, and from Ronton and Co. an axe, one hammer, and one toaset, of a value of £3 ss. Accused was convicted, the two charges being taken together. He was fined £5, and ordered to make restitution to Mrs Hall of £2 4s 6d. Chamber of Commerce. The Greymouth Chamber of Commerce met this afternoon, the "president (Mr P. J. McLean) presiding. It was to offer the Chamber's congratulations to the Government on its decision to locate the Chair of Forestry in Canterbury. Professor Park, of the Dunedin University, wrote supporting the Chamber's endeavour to secure a subsidy on gold. The president stated that during the past two days he had been shown some gold secured from the terraces in the Waimca locality, where promising results had been obtained, but the cost of getting water to the site was high. If a subsidy was forthcoming, he had been informed, work would be found around Kumara for from 200 to 300 men.

It was resolved that the Minister for Mines be again written to and asked to reconsider his recent decision regarding granting a subsidy on gold. L y nch suggested that a full meeting of the Chamber be called to discuss some of the problems confronting the commercial community, montioning the coal trade as one of vital interest to the district. He liandod round a schedule showing the effect of the recent increased railway freights on coaJj ana said that the salo of Nowcastle coal in New Zealand was again increasing. Mr J. S. Robertson said as a result of the increase of 2s a ton railway froight steamers were now bunkering m Westport. Greymouth was being cut out, and as a result Newcastle coal

was again gaining the markets in Christchurch. It was resolved that whilst recognising the necessity of making the railways pay, the Chamber Bhould forcibly impress upon the Government the fact that the increased railage on coal amounted to a premium, or bonus, on imported coals, and that it was urgently necessary to restore the previous basis of competition between New Zealand and imported coal. It was resolved to ask the Minister for Lands what research work was being carried out relative to the development of Pakihi lands, and lands for settlement; and to enquire from the Minister for Commerce and Industries the position regarding flax growing; and the introduction to New Zealand of better strains of opossums. Evening Sports. The Greymouth United Cycling Club held its first week night sports for the season this evening at Victoria Park. H. Turtill won both senior races without being extended. Eosults:— Boys' Bicycle Eace, under 18 years, two miles —T. Duffy 1, Bradley 2, Greaney 3. Bicvcle Race, of two miles (seniors) —II. "Turtill (60yds) 1, 11. Wilson (100 yds) 2, Wildermoth (200 yds) 3. Won comfortably by three * lengths. Time smin 4 3-osec. Boys' (14 and under) Half Mile—gtewart 1, Cunningham 2, Daniels 3. Five Miles (seniors) —11. Turtill (85yds) 1, Innes (220 yds) 2, Bradley (350 yds) 3. Won oasily by two lengths. Time 13min 22 2-saec.