WESTPORT NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 November 1923, Page 6

WESTPORT NOTES

(Own Correspondent.) The conference between employers and employees in connection with the mining dispute, in which the Citizens’ Committee acted as the third party, ended in “no decision,” and the various delegates have departed to their homes. The local committee have not given up all hope and are trying to bring about a termination of hostilities by recommending to both sides that an application be made for the termination of the existing award and the making of a fresh one, and that resumption of operations take place immediately. They suggest another conference prior to the matter going before the Conciliation Council, and that the wages question be based on the cost of living at the West Coast mining townships. The elocutionary and musical competitions, under the auspices of the Westport Protestant Association, were concluded last evening before a very large audience, who evinced great interest in the various selections. In the recitation section the judges were set a difficult task in arriving at the awards, and in announcing the final results, Mr Craig, one of the judges, commented in complimentary terms on the high standard reached by the competitors. He considered Westport had sufficient talent to send representatives in future to the West Coast Competitions, where they would worthily uphold the prestige of their district. Following were the results : — Scripture Section.—Junior : Leslie Henrys (32) 1. Intermediate: Horace Fairhall (52£) 1. Senior: Dulcie Anderson 1. Recitation (own selection). —Junior: Molly Mullan (48|) 1. Intermediate: Betty Wilson (53) 1. Senior: Mavis Tullock (54) 1. The junior solo competition was won by Jean Currie (54) and the senior by Mavis Tullock with a similar number of marks. The Sunday School contest was won by St. Andrews with 32 points, St. John’s, previous holders of the banner,, being runners-up with 28 points. Phyllis Fairhall and Doris Milne annexed the first prizes in the senior and junior esays respectively. After a short respite the Buller trotters that competed at the Greymouth fixture, are again doing active service, while the large contingent that are being prepared throughout the district, are being moved along a bit more quickly. There are some fifty light harness exponents in work throughout the Buller and Karamea districts.

Westport sports will have some interest in the New Zealand Cup galloping meeting, as the locally-owned Falstaff will be a competitor in the hurdle heats. This Australian-bred horse usually has a good following from this locality, and it is generally expected he will salute the judge during Carnival Week. The local mentor, Mr Jennings, has a useful team in work for the West Coast Christmas and New Year meetings, including Kuia, Rapid Fire, War Unit, Weary Willie, Demonstrate and a five-year-old maiden by Sensation, from Blue Sky. The horses are all well forward and Jennings should be well amongst the prize-winners later on.

Bert Lipsham is getting a team of trotters around him, and should hold a strong hand during the holiday racing season. Included in the list are Harold Hue, Circus Girl, Prince Charlie and Enniswood, while the promising filly Logan Spec may join the stable next week.