HOKITIKA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1948, Page 2

HOKITIKA NOTES

[Our own Correspondent] HOKITIKA, September 21. E. G. Walker, the well-known West Coast rugby footballer, who was injured in the Star-Excelsior senior match at Greymouth, and was unable to play in the trial match at Christchurch, has been, selected as an emergency back for the final North v. South island match on October 2. Walker’s injuries were painful, but he is now maxing a good recovery, and it will be pleasing to West Coasters to know that he is to be given a further chance. „ Mr. and Mrs. F. Freitas of Greymouth, were visitors to Hokitika today. Some of the Hokitika members of the West Coast Seddon Shield challenge team who played at Westport on Saturday are to-day showing .some of their mementoes from the match. One of the best known forwards has a black eye, while others felt the effects of one of the hardest matches played for the season. , ~ For the past week members of the staff of the Westland Co-operative Dairy Company have been busily engaged in the installation of a bulk butter packing machine. The new equipment is the most modern of its type in New Zealand and was manufactured by Anderson’s Ltd., of Christchurch. The new machine will bulk the butter into 56-pound blocks for packing into boxen for export. Ihe installation has been completed, the machine was put through trials this week, and it will go into regular woix almost immediately. At the Hokitika Table Tennis Championships, P. Lawrey, one of the younger players of twelve years of age, who had been eliminated in the junior section by R. Parker, beat R. Roberts in the semi-final, which produced play of a high standard. By the time Lawrey reached the final in his section he had taken part in ten matches, and it was expected that he would be no match for his more experienced opponent, E. Stouppe. Ihe match, went to five games, and although Stoop beat Lawrey, he was the fitter of the two at the end of the games. Stoop won by his superior driving, which forced his younger opponent into some errors in long rallies. However, the counter-defence and driving of Lawrey would have done credit to more experienced playeiTitle holders for the table tennis championships at Hokitika are: Boys Singles, R. Parker. Girl’s Singles, Miss J. Lawrey. Women’s —Singles, Miss M. Jones. Meh’s Singles, E. Stoop. Women’s Doubles, Misses M. Stoop and M. Roberts. Men’s Doubles, Messrs E. Stoop and R. Parker. Combined Doubles, T. J. Keown and Miss P. Murphy. CASE TO BE REHEARD.

At the Courthouse, before Messrs A. E. Benjamin and J. Murdoch, J’s.P., Mr. M.' B. James applied for a rehearing of the charges made on September 13 . against two young men, James H. Freitas and Jack E. Stuart, of converting a Road Services vehicle and stealing 13 bottles of ale. SeniorSergeant Mclntyre, on behalf of the police, opposed a rehearing. Mr. James stated that he was appealing for a rehearing, which he believed was justified for two reasons: (1) At the time of the last Court hearing neither of the boys had had legal advisers and had consequently been charged without a solicitor’s protection; (2) being ignorant of Court procedure, they were taken completely by surprise and consequently stated nothing in their defence. “Because of this,” continued Mr. James, “a rehearing is warranted to enable these young boys to disclose evidence to the Court, facts which at present remain unknown to the Justices.” “It is in the hands of the Justices to use their discretion as to the warranting of this rehearing. The boys were advised by the police that a lawyer was not necessary and that if they pleaded guilty then the case would be over quickly and simply.

‘“No evidence was disclosed in Court and both young men, having no idea of legal procedure, were consequently convicted. When they came to Court, they did not realise the seriousness of the charge and did not think it a crime.”

Senior-Sergeant Mclntyre opposed the rehearing, stating that the insufficient grounds did not warrant it as all evidence pointed to the guilt of these young men. “The police think a serious view should be taken of the matter. The suggestion that they were taken by surprise is erroneous. The boys were given an opportunity in Court to speak and had nothing to say. Nor did they ask for an adjournment. With regard to consulting lawyers, they had left the Police Station by 6.15 on Saturday evening and the hearing was not until 4 p.m. on Monday, so they had the whole week-end for legal consultation. Being local boys they were not placed in the lock-up as is the usual procedure. The police oppose the rehearing.” After a short adjournment the Justices granted a rehearing.

Mr. James desired that the rehearing begin immediately, but this was opposed by the police, who had to get in touch with a witness who is now in Dunedin. The rehearing was finally set down for October 7 at the monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court. RUGBY FIXTURES.

The following fixtures have been set down for Saturday next at Cass Square:—

McLean Shield Trophy match: Excelsiors v. Star, No. 1 ground, 2.45 (J. W. Bennett). Inter-Union fourth grade match, White Star (Westport) v. Hokitika High School, No. 1 ground 1.30 p.m. (R. Roberts). Inter-Union junior match, Rovers (Westport) v. Kiwis, No. 2 ground, 1.30 p.m. (M. Davidson).

The Sub-Union has accepted an invitation to attend the chairman’s annual meeting in Greymouth on Saturday evening. The West Coast Rugby Union advised that a schoolboy’s field day would be held on Saturday next, the 7th. and Sth. grade to be held at Hokitika on . Saturday morning (weights 6st. 71b. and sst. lOlbs.) The sth. and 6th. grade teams would travel to Reef ton. Two teams under 6st. 71b. and one team under sst. would play Greymouth teams at Hokitika in the morning. Messrs F. D. Gillespie, F. Parks and F. Groufsky were appointed a subcommittee to control the games at Hokitika. All clubs have been requested to forward in the names of injured players by next Monday. Mr. J. Henderson reported that arrangements were well forward for the combined annual presentation ball to be held on October 8. Mr. H. Pierson reported that Westland juniors played a good game against Buller, and complete arrangements were made by the Buller Union. Some of the team members suffered injuries, but none of a Serious nature.

Senior clubs have been asked to hand in their nominees for the Pinknam Cup by next Monday. The H. Cup for the most improved junior for the season is to be awarded by the junior selectors. All referees are asked to be present for the school games on Saturday morning.