NEW YEAR AT WESTPORT

Press, Issue 22599, 3 January 1939, Page 5

NEW YEAR AT WESTPORT

PROSPEROUS AND JBRIGHT FESTIVE SEASON-

MORE MONEY;:iN‘ C^jjtATION ' than for some time ,

Never since the boom perioil bas the Buller district enjoyed such a prosperous and bright festive season. After two and a half months of bad weather there was. a welcome change from Boxing Day and holiday arrangements were carried out with Ut&e hitch. More money was in circulation than for many years past, and .first business people and then various sports bodies reaped the benefit. The initiative of the Bullet ‘Caledonian Society in bringing . the ‘Timaru Pipe .Band to Westport, .was; well rewarded, and the’ party helped to make the ■ New Year week-end... one of the best and brightest for some "years. There were scenes of "great enthusiasm in Palmerston street, near the Westport Fire Station, when the bell rang out the old year and welcomed the new- -The Mayor (Mr J. Kilkenny) gave a speech of goodwill and people danced and sang to music by the pipe band. Many parties “first-footed” until almost daylight, and the carnival’spirit prevailed again on Sunday, when pipers visited Ngakawaii, the centre of the Buller coal-mining townships, "where many people of Sfcottish . descent live. The society held a‘ successful -concert at Wefstport on Sunday night and there was a large attendance at the sports meeting yesterday, where the band gave many items. Records have been established in door takings for dances and balls held on almost, every night for the last' week or so at Westport, and sports bodies, especially the Westport Trotting Club, report greatly increased attendances at their fixtures.

There was a record influx of visitors to Westport, including many campers, and accommodation has been difficult to secure during the last week.

SHIPPING PORT OP GREYMOUTH . GREYMOUTH,. January 2: The Nikau arrived early on Saturday from Nelson and sailed again that afternoon with coal for Picton. The Huia arrived early this morning with explosives from Melbourne. The Totara is expected fo leave Wellington to-morrow with transhipments for Greymouth and will load timber ' here on Thursday for Petone. V A Union Company steamer is expected to load coal at Greymouth for Wellington about January 12. . . A Union Company steamer is due to load coal at Greymouth for Auckland about January 17. The Waimea, arrived on Saturday night from Westport , and will load timber tomorrow for Port Waikato, sailing on Wednesday. V ' , •/ ■ The Kaitoa arrived on Sunday from Motueka to load, coal for Tarakohe. She ,i* expected to sailon Wednesday.' ■- The Korowai sailed on Saturday night for Wellington- and Miramar.. ■ .