WEST COAST NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20171, 25 February 1931, Page 16

WEST COAST NOTES.

PERSONAL. (SPECUr,.TO THE PRESS.) ! GREYMOUTH, February 24. Mr William Perry (Hokitika) left to-day on » visit to Ohristchuroh. Mr and Mrs T. Jones left to-day on a holiday to Hanmer. Mr and Mrs J. Thompson, who have been spending a holiday in Christchurch, returned to-day. Tho Rev. Father Aldridge, who succcdes the Rev. Father Ginsty at Reefton, has taken up his work in the parish. Mr N. L. Anderson (Hawke's Bay) arrived to-day on a visit to his fathei, Mr L. Anderson (Cobden). Captain Strachan, formerly with the Greymouth Harbour Board, and now resident in Palmerston North, arrived *o-day on a visit to friends in Cobden. Nurse Holgate, of the Grey River Hospital, left to-day on holiday to Queenstown. A presentation of a sot of carvers, a fruit bowl, and a Japanese vase was made yesterday to Mr Thomas Johns {who was recently married) by _the staff of Messrs Griffen and Smith, Ltd. Mr T. Tarrant, who has been spending a holiday in Wellington and Tint a ru, returned to-day. The Westland Racing Club has nominated Messrs F. McGregor and D. J. Evans for seats on the District Racing Committee, and Mr D. J. Evans as district representative on the New Zealand Racing Conference. Artist's' Death. Mrs Leslie Greener, whose death is re ported from Alexandria as the result of a fall from a window, was a daughter (Bona) of Mr H. ! D. Haszard, formerly Commissioner of Crown Lands at Hokitika. In her school days Mrs Greener attended the Hokitika District High School during her parents' residence in Hokitika. Charge Withdrawn. The charge against James Egan (22), of attempting to -commit suicide at Stillwater, which whs set down for hearing to-day, was called at the Greymonth Court yesterday afternoon, and " was withdrawn on ■ the application of Senior-Sergeant O. E. Roach, Egan having been committed to the Wcstland Mental Hospital. Tire Alarm. Late last night an alarm of fire was sounded at Beefton, when it was discovered that the laundry at the Reef ton Hospital was ablaze. Tho fire had a 1 good hold when discovered, and . although the Fire Brigade was quickly on the scene, the interior was completely destroyed. The contents, suffered badly. Biflo ShootingThe third competition for; tho Grey •pjflA Defence Club's Cups resulted in * fome very fine shooting. Rifleman S. was top. scorer , with a good shoot of, 97.' Rifleman, C. Bichar^on

again shot well, scoring 96. Following were tho leading- scores with two shoots to go:—Rifliimen C. Richardson 8$ points, P. Blanchfield 6 points, L. Morresey 5 joints, S. Shannahan 5 points. Motor Accidents. Two motor accidents occurring almost. simultaneously took place yesterday at Kumara, on the main highway in the vicinity of the Little Dam. The first happened to a motor-cyclist named Steel, who had with him a young man named Merryweather. Crossing the bridge the flooring of which was greasy, the cycle skidded, throwing the two men-heavily to the ground, both escaping with a few bruises, and the machine undamaged. A few minutes later a motorcar driven by Mr T. Moore, collided with the Government tractor and was considerably damaged. The occupants escaped with a few minor cuts and braises. Croquet. In a croquet match played yesterday at Bunanga, for the Armstrong brooches, Mrs Rose and Mrs Southward (headers) defeated Mrs Hill and Mrs Murphy (challengers). South Westland. Mr T. A. Johnston, district engineer of Public Works, . who returned from South Westland last evening, states that an exceptionally heavy rainfall . was experienced on Saturday and Sunday. All the rivers south of Hari Hari were again in high flood. The most serious damage was -caused at the Waitangi where a portion of the river again broke through the northern approach. The restoration works carried out since the last recent flood were effective in preventing tlie river from completely breaking through -on the north 'side of the bridge.

The Waiho and Fox rivers were carrying down huge blocks of > ice. Further slips and "washouts occurred between Waiho and Weheka.