BLACKBALL NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1928, Page 2

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

As a result of the dry weather and the consequent state of the bar, Blackball miners have only one shift to come for next pay. Paparoa miners, however, still continue to work steadily, the difference with the mine officials having been settled satisfactorily to both sides. The Blackball mine officials had an anxious time last week owing to the heating of coal in the bins. The newlyinstalled pump however, soon enabled them to get the outbreak under control. The merry-go-round completed . its season on Monday night. The takings were in the vicinity of £2OO, a sum of money which could very well have been put to a better use in the town itself. The drought was broken last night by a light shower of rain. Matters were becoming very serious and some of I the local carriers were doing a good trade retailing water. The inconveniences of late should influence some of those “die-hards who do not think a water supply is necessary. It only needs a fire in the township to create a general disaster the way things are at present. Messrs Mills, Hardie, McGee and Grindle, visited Greymouth for the Benefit Carnival on Tuesday, but only filled minor places. - Mills is consistent and was unlucky in striking a dark horse in Brownlie. J. Hardie was declared the winner of the cup donated by the Baths Committee for aggregate points. McGee and J. Williams were close up, but Hardie’s ability to take part in all departments of swimming gave him a good lead. * The Baths Committee have decided to present Masters P. Davies, N. Smith, H. Ritchie and A. Thompson with an enlarged photograph of their team as a reward for their meritorious win in the Hutchings Memorial Shield. It is up to some of the sports now to present them with a medal each in honour of the occasion. At usual fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Blackball Lodge, the following officers were present:—N.G.P.O. Bro. J Neilson, R.S. to N.G. Bro. R. Neilson, L.S. to W.G. Sister J. Robertson, V. G. Bro. A. McLuskie, R.S. to V.G. Sister L Williams, L.S. to V.G. Sister L. Campbell, W. Bro. O. D. Sewell, G. P.O. Bro. G. Guthrie, F. S. P.G. Bro. G. Cruse, I.P.G Bro A? Wootton. The sum of £6 10s was passed as sick pay, and reports were received from officers on the visiting committee. One candidate was initiated, Bro. G. Guthrie and Bro. H. Long being conductors.

P. C. Bro. Long, on behalf of the Lodge, presented P.G. Bro. J. Neilson with his Past Grand’s Jewel. Bro. A. McLuskie was declared the winner of the medal donated by P.G. Bro. Long for the member introducing most candidates into the Lodge. Bro. McLuskie was subsequently presented with the medal, and P.O. Bro. Long, in making the presentation, exhorted other members to follow Bro. McLuskie’s lead and keep up the reputation of the Lodge. A. McGee defeated C. Duncan in the semi-final of the local billiard tournament, and the finalists are now McGee Meikle and Wootton.

Mrs McDougall, of Ashburt.m, is visiting ’ relatives in Blackball. Mr L. Kinsella, who injured his eye recently, is on the way to recovery. A McDonald was fairly successful at Nelson Creek sports. When he learns to leave the mark a little more < ‘ckly he will be among the big monej . Preston appears to be a runner with great possibilities, and ran a good race. Blackball Soccerites are keen again this year, and are already in harness. The annual meeting of the League Club only drew an attendance of s c ven. so the meeting was adjourned.