NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 77, 27 September 1924, Page 9

NELSON NEWS

THE PROGRESS LEAGUE

(FROM OUF. OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

NELSON, 25th September,

Last evening the Chinese Soccer team were entertained at a dinner at the Metropolitan Hotel as the guests of the local association. Mr. H. Claughton, chairman of the association, presided. Amongst those also present were the Mayor of Nelson (Mr. W. Loch), Mr. H. R. Duncan, chairman Harbour Board, Mr. Varney, general secretary of the V.M.C.A., Mr. Houston, secretary of the Marlborough Association. Various toasts were honoured, and during the evening a presentation was made by the local Chinese residents of a-solid silver cup for competition among the football clubs in China. Mr. Wong, in replying to the toast of the referee (Mr. Parkinson) complimented him on the'efficient manner in which he controlled tho game. Later in the evening an adjournment was made to the V.M.C.A., where dancing was indulged in for a few hours.

A representative deputation from the Nelson Provincial Progress League is' to visit Murchison on Saturday at tho invitation o! Murchison residents. In tho afternoon a conference will be held with members of local bodies and others concerning the important matter of filling the gap _of 55 miles m the South Island Mam Trunk railway. Arrangements have been made to hold a monster public meeting in the evening to deal with the same matter.

The 29th annual meeting of shareholders in Griffin and Sons, Ltd., was held on Monday evening. Mr. T. Neale, chairman of directors, presided. Tho annual report showed the company to be in an excellent position. "As a result of the year's working, after making provision for all bad and doubtful debts and depreciation, and paying a substantial bonus to employees, there remains to the credit of profit and loss account a balance of £6781 7s 5d." The directors propose to deal with this amount as follows:—Pay a dividend of 10 per cent., absorbing £1807 14s 9d, transfer £2000 *c? r^ l' Ye ' which wfll tllen stmd afc i 15,000, and carry forward tho balance of £2973 12s Bd, which will be sufficient for the payment of Income tax and the provision of a substantial amount towards the current year's working. Tho report further stated that important additions have been made in the biscuit, department, up-to-date machinery having been installed. The directors have decided to make a further issue of 13,588 £1 shares of the company's authorised capital, which, if subscribed, will increase the working capital by 75 per cent. In moving the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, the chairman said the ability to pay a, 10 per cent. dividend and at the same time- a, bonus to tho factory hands was, a matter for congratulation. If tho report was adopted the reserves would bo strengthened to the tune of £15,000. During tho year they had added greatly to plant, .machinery, and buildings, and they had electrified a goodly portion of the machinery. Tho company employed 130 hands, paid in wages and salaries £15,000 Vo year, purchased goods anil material to tho value of £60,000. paid in freights between £3000 and £4000, and for electrical current and coal £2000. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Field, and the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Under the auspices of the Chautaqua Association an excellent performance of the comedy, "Her Husband's Wife." was staged at the Marsden Hall on Monday evening by tho International Flayers. _ There was a very lnrgo and appreciative audience, laughter and applause being very frequent throughout the presentation of a delightful comedy. An orchestra consisting of Messrs. Yitelta Bros, and Mr. W.^Bnindell contributed excellent music before tho play and during tho interval. -As guests of the local Chautni|iia Association the visiting Chinese team attended the performance. The Nellio Brainley Company concluded a very successful four nights' season in Nelson on Wednesday evening. Playing at the Theatre Royal to crowded houses every night they singed the four comedies, "Fair and Warmer," "Peg o' My Heart," "It Pays to Advertise," and "Sunday."

There is a considerable difference of opinion in this district on the merits and demerits of the Fruit Control Bill. Petitions for and against the measure aro being promoted. The Fruitgrowers' Council is holding meetings in various centres this week to make clear the various clauses of tho Bill and answer all attacks made by its opponents. Opponents of tho Bill and of the present voluntary control effort are specially asked to attend.

Mr. L. C. Friend, manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Nelson, who has been transferred on promotion to take over the Napier branch of the bank, leaves Nelson for Napier next week. Mr. J. G. Dykes, who is taking over control of the Nelson branch, came originally from Auckland, although ho has been for some lima accountant at tlic Sydney branch of tho bank.

A much-respected resident of over G8 yours' standing, -Mr. Joseph Wood, of Halifiix street, passed away on Wednesday, in his 87th year. Deceased arrived in Nelson with his parents in tlie ship Marinor in 1856, having been born at Seven Oaks, Kent, aud with the exception of a short period on the AVest Coast during the gold rush, has resided in the Nelson district ever since. For eighteen years the lnte Mr. Wood was in the employ of iSf. Edwards and Co., continuing for another twenty years with the present firm of A. H. ' Cock and Co. On 16th April last the late Mr. and Mrs. Wood celebrated their golden wedding, having been married in 1874 by the Tlev. W. M. Biss. Deceased was one of the first members of the Nelson Institute, continuing to be a ineniljer up to the time of his death. A widow and a grown-up family of two daughters and .five sons survive. The daughters are 'Mrs. T. Vercoe, of Nelson, and Mrs. K. 11. Greager, of Wanganui; and the sons are Messrs. -A. j. Wood (Blenheim), .t\ Wood (Wcstporl), and E. OS., E. A., and 11. Wood, of Nelson. There are also 28 grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren. Mr. 11. .Schwass, of the Nelson railway service, lias been transferred to Westport. A largely-attended meeting was held in tho Congregational Schoolroom on Monday evening to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Schwass and family and to wish' Miss Hilda Small, who is proceeding to England on deputation work for the London Missionary Society a pleasant voyage. Mr. l\ L Ledger* on behalf of the church, in niaking a presentation to Mr. and Mrs. H. Schwass, referred to the family's long association with the church, ami expressed the appreciation of members of the valuable services rendered, and wished them health ami happiness in then- new home. An enjoyable musical programme was contributed by Mesdames Gubb, Jury, D. Burton, N." A. Vercoe, and Misses D. and P. Burch and L. Hingston. The meeting closed with "Auld Lang Sync."