REEFTON TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1931, Page 4

REEFTON TRAGEDY

TWO YOUNG MEN KILLED. A shocking accitienet occurred nt Waitahu. four miles irom Beetton o Saiturday evening at. 7.30 o clock, whereby two well-known and young men belonging to the Inang lino district lost their ' _ r hey were Robert Rowley, »f R“ fton ' * well-known Rugby representative tootbailer, and Cyril of Oonadun, also , a tep. s _ ■ Quite a gloom was cast over t e ee - ton district when the sad tragedy ecame known on Saturday evening. Tliev were riding on a motor-cycle, Powlev, who was taking Smith to Ins home at Oonadun, having control ot the machine, while Smith , was riding on the pillion. The motor-cycle craslud into .the side of a motor lorry driven by Mr Norman Winstanley, of Tnangahiia Junction, on a had bend in the road on the Reefton side of the Maitabu River, near Mr T Roberts 8 homestead. It is stated that both the motor-cycle and motor-lorry were . travelling at a moderate speed. Smith was killed outright, whilst Powley died before medical assistance could he obtained. Mr Winstanley, the driver of th«J motgr lorry, was accompanied by h« wife, neither of them sustaining W injury. The motor cycle was badly damaged, but the only damage to the Harry was the smashing of a mudguard and the dislocation of a spring. The late Cyril James Smith, who was 26 years of? age, was the eldest son of Mr William Smith, of Cronadun, and the late Mrs Smith, whose death occurred some twelve months ago. He resided at Cronadun and carried on the occupation of a miner. Since his boyhood days he had distinguished himself as a -Rugby football plaver and for many years represented Tnangahuaj, whilst he has also plaved for the West Coast representative team. The deceased is also survived by two sisters, Mrs J. Hagai, of Hokitika; Miss “Queenie” Smith (of Cronandun), and another married sister (Lily) in Australia, and also by one brother, Mr Robert Smith, at Cronadun. '*’* ’ . 97 The late Robert Powley, aged -7 years, was the second son of the lata Mr and Mrs Michael Powley, formerly of Reefton, where they conducted for many years the Gladstone Hotel, until Mr Powley’s demise some ten years ago. The. deceased carried on the occupation of a miner. He was a well known footballer, and for many years since his early youth, represented Inangahua, whilst he was alsov a prominent member of the Reeftfci Fire Brigade. He is survived by two married sisters,. Florence (Australia), Mrs J. Watt (Auckland), and two brothers. Chris (Melbourne) and Rich, ard (Westport). inquest is adjourned. REEFTON, Nov. 16. An inquest was opened yesterday , but was adjourned until Thursday.