REEFTON NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1927, Page 7

REEFTON NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) There was a large attendance at the Oddfellows ’ Lodge when the members entertained the District Grand Muster, Bro. S. G. Pascoe, and D.D.G.M. Bro. A. Long, on their official visit, and Bro. W. Dunn, the oldest member of the Order. Bro. A. Wills presided, and welcomed the visitors, and invited the D.G.AI. to take the chair. D.G.AI. Bro. J ascoe expressed great pleasure in being welcomed, in the position of District Officer, to his Alother Lodge, and introduced D.D.G.AI. Bro. Long of the Blackball Lodge. He also specially welcomed Bro. W. Dunn, who was a foundation member of the Lodge, having joined the Order 54 years ago. He was Number One on the register, and the “Father of the Lodge,” and he thought his record could not be excelled in New Zealand. He then presented Bro. Dunn with an artistically illuminated address, asking him to accept it with the best wishes of the Lodge, and he trusted he would appre-

ciate it in his declining years. Bro. Dunn thanked them all for the gift he had received, saying he had always done his best for the Order, and what he had done he considered it his du’;. he was satisfied there was no better lodge for a working man than the Oddfellows. D.D.G.M. Bro. Long thanked all prerent for the hearty welcome he had received, and considered it was his duty to be present upon such an occasion, to congratulate Bro. W. Dunu upon receiving such a testimonial of the work he had done for the benefit of the Order. Ho also thanked the Grand Master for the kind reference to the Blackball Lodge. Among the toasts proposed were: —“The United Westland District,” “The Local Reefton Lodge, “The New Sister,” “Foreign Alembers, ” “The Ladies,” and “Mr Wills. ” who provided the sumptuous repast. Prior to the confirmation of the ru”iutes of the Hospital meeting on Wednesday evening Air J. O’Regan s-'id he! was asked by the Inangahua Junctioni residents to object to the increase in salary for flu* matron of the Hospital' from £175 to £2OO per annum, as the] County Councjl was not in a position to pay the increase. The (’hairman said that if Air O’Regan wanted it reduced, no could give notice notice of motion to that effect. Air Seawright pointed out they already had an applicant at the salary “advertised. Air O’Regan said he would give notice of motion to rescind the resolution relating to the increased salarv.

A meeting of the A. and P. Association was held on Friday evening. Pre sent: Messrs West (Chair). Discaciatj. Pascoe, Panckhurst, I. Pattersen, Carroll, Rivers, Robertson, Phillips, Jas. Pattersen, Noble and Lawn. The canvassers reported meeting with a good reception in the Inangahua A’alley and also in town, a large number of mem bers’ tickets having been disposed of. The Secretary reported that entries of stock were being received from as far away as Koiterangi and Rotomanu. Alessrs Patterson and A. AL Carroil proposed that the Traffic Alanager be asked to provide raihvay communication with Hokitika on the evening of Aiarch 12th. Carried. Air. J. Al. Robertson, of Westport, wrote accepting the position of judge for the Cookery Section. McFarlane and Coy., Christchurch wrote enclosing a donation. Lancashires Ltd. and 11. C. Young Ltd., also forwarded donations for homework sec tions. Air. John O’Regan donated a fat sheep to the Association for the guessing competition, which was accepted with thanks. Miss Wilson’s tender of £l3 was accepted for the publican's booth. Alessrs Baird and Austin’s offer to provide equipment for the side shows was accepted with thanks and ;t was decided that the committee run all the side shows themselves. The clos-

ing of entries was extended until Saturday March sth. It was resolved that Alessrs Duffy and O’Donnell be asked to arrange for a dance on March 11th. Doctor L. J. AVicLer and chjld are on a visit to Reefton, being the guests of Mrs 11. Wickcn. COURT NEWS.

A sitting of the Warden’s Court was held at Reefton on Friday before Air. Aleldrum, Warden, when applications were dealt with as follows.—William .James Morris (Mr. Patterson) for renewal of timber reservation, certificate No. 409/. —Adjourned to March llith. Tasman R. Hogg (Mr. Patterson) for an ordinary prospecting license over 100 acres at- Alexander River. —Withdrawn by leave. George Basil Mclnroe and Davi-i Stewart (Mr. Morgan) for a water race license, 30 heads at Blackwater. —Grant ed. T (Air. Patterson) for renewal of timber warrant No. .5810. Objected to by the Conservator of Forests Nelson. Counsel submitted that the Forests Amendment Act 1926, only •effected validated titles under that statute. Titles granted by the Warden on behalf of the Land Board which the Land Board itself had had the power to grant, still came within the jurisdiction of the AVarden. Although the Aiming Act was now amended by taking all the powers of the Warden to grant timber rights away, as no other specific provision had been made effecting valid titles granted by him he still had power under the Acts Interpretation Act to grant renewals of such titles. The Warden reserved his decision on the point but eventually deejded that he had no jurisdiction.—The application was refused. Francis I). Walker (Air. Morgan) for an ordinary prospecting license over 100 acres situate near Capleston. —Appl cation was refused. Michael Kennedy (Mr. Patterson) fo f an ordinary prospecting license ovc 100 acres at Alexander River. —Grant ed. Michael Tjmothy Ryan (Air. Phillips for an ordinary prospecting licens over 100 acres at Stoney CreekGranted. AV., Jamieson (Mr. Morgan) sued A E. Lemon Mr. Patterson) claiming £2 9s 6d; Frederick Richards (Air. Mor gan) sued A. E. Lemon (Mr. Patter \ son) claiming £l7 0s Sd; George AVhit'F ’(Mr. Morgan) sued A. E. Lemon (Mr , Patterson) claim £5O. All three

at defendant’s sawmill at IKukawai, claims were for wages while working and were heard together. After hearing the evidence for plaintiffs the case was adjourned till the lfith. March. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held at Reefton before Mr. Mehlrum, S.M., on Friday when the following civil cases were dealt with:-— C. Cole v. T. Shearer claim £l. —Judeinent for\plajntiff by default for amount of claim and costs £1 3s fid. Martin Sara and Edgar Elliston as Trustees Inangahua Miners’ Accident Relief Association (Mi*. Morgan) v. George Braidwood (Mr. Patterson), a claim for £2 16s Bd. Plaintiff’s case »was that the money was paid out by them in mistake they thinking that defendant was a financial member when the accident in respect of which th l ' money was paid occurred. It was alleged he paid his subscriptions after th” accident. Counsel for the defence raised a. preliminary point that action could not be taken in the Court till the I nion had had a private investigation. Plain tiffs had closed their case and there was no evidence before the Court that this had been done. He submitted that as a matter of fact no proper investigation ha' 1 , been held, his client had had no written notice of it so that he could have appeared. After argument in which counsel for the defence quoted several decisions in support of his case the Magistrate held that plaintifs must be non-suited. Defendant was allowed costs of £2 ss. A resident for being found on the Albion Hotel, Black’s Point during prohibited hours was convicted and ordered to pay costs 10s. Ernest Ivan Paine for allowing his I cow to trespass on the Government railway at Rotokohu, was convicted and -fined 5/- and ordered to pay costs £1 7s.