WESTPORT.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9301, 31 December 1895, Page 2

WESTPORT.

" Weekly Press alid f.eferee.'

December 19. The annual meeting of the Harbour Board was held last Tuesday, when Mr J. Suiatod j was unanimously re-elected chairman. In i speaking to the motion for his re-election, j all the other members concurred in testifying ito the able and devoted manner in whicfc jMr Suisted had fulfilled the duties of his I office during the recent difficulties in \pluefc the board has been placed. Authority has been given by the Govern- ! ment for the construction of' the training I wall another 150 ft at a cost of £1200, and Ito expend a further sum of £2000 in dredging, and work was resumed on the training wall on Monday morning. The Harbour Board have resolved to send a deputation to Wel£figton to interview the Colonial Treasurer in regard to tho questions of loan conversion, reduction of interest and further borrowing. The installation of Mr Larsen as mayoi for another year was held at the Town Hall _ yesterday. A vote of thanks war unanimously accorded him for the careful I and courteous manner in which lie had con« I ducted the affairs of the borough during the I past year. Congratulatory speeches were . made by various councillors, in which the \ works accomplished during the past yeai I were referred to and suggestions made as to j future requirements. Among the latter wer» I the improvement of the building bye-la\w I for fire prevention and the establishment of I some form of municipal or state insurJ ance. Mr Larson replied in a neat and i efieclira speech, thanking the previous j speakers for their congratulations, and I giving a general and favourable view of I the gas, fire-extinction, and drainage departments. The great difficulty regarding General works was the financial question, but the payments on the fire engine would soon be completed, and then their positior would be much better. A boat-race was hold on the river last l Thursday afternoon to compete for the medals offered by the vice-presidents of the; Kawatiii Club. I'onr crews entered, in three heats, one pair at a time, the victory finally remaining with a crew consisting of Messrs G. Gothard, S. Marris, J. Enright, and T. Mullan, with J. Mullau as coxswain. The alterations and additions to the old; Palace Skating Rink, with the view of conJ verting it into the Victoria Theatre, are i completed, with the result that it is now a I most commodious and convenient place of ; amusement. Mr Marshall was contractor 'for the alterations and additions toithe building, and has carried them out in his usual conscientious manner. The proseehhup of the stage, constructed by Mr George Low, 1 and the setting out and entablature of it by Mr D. O'Neil, and the plumbing work by Messrs Hardley and Larsen, are all done ie the best style. The scenery was originally j designed by Mr Thornton, and has beec tastefully adapted by Messrs Eoswell, ! Dobsoni and O'Neil. The stage ie 26ffc by 45ft, I and has two large green-rooms attached to ifc. There are also commodious ante-roonw at j the front end of tho hall, while the floor has , been rclaid and specially adapted for dancing ' purposes. The theatre is to be fornmlly opened on New Year's night with a dramatic performance by the Denniaton Dramatic Club.