BLACKBALL NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 February 1930, Page 10

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent). A pleasing ceremony took place in the Druids’ Hall on Friday evening, when the officials at the local mine met to bid “au revoir” to the manager (Mr W. Parsonage) who will shortlybe leaving Blackball to take an appointment at Brunner. An apology for absence was received from Mr T. Learmont (Greymouth). Mr Jas. Neilson officiated as Chairman, and the first item of the evening was a pianoforte solo by Mr Jack Williams, followed by a toast “The King,” followed by a song “The Guardship” by J. McCallum. The Chairman proposed "Our Guest,” which was received by the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The Chairman remarked upon the sterling qualities of Mr Parsonage during the time he had been domiciled at Blackball and though all much regretted his departure they were pleased to know that he would continue in residence on the West Coast. Mr Neilson asked Mr Parsonage to accept a handsome leather travelling case on behalf of himself and a 42-piece tea set on behalf of Mrs Parsonage, to commemorate the occasion. Messrs W. Richardson and Geo. Brady (Underviewers) and Mr C. Hogg (Deputy), and Messrs L. Mori and D. J. Cochrane (surface) endorsed the Chairman’s remarks, which was followed by the singing of “They are Jolly Good Fellows.” ■ ' Mr Parsonage thanked the subscribers for their serviceable presents and also for the kindly remarks bestowed upon himself and Mrs Parsonage, and trusted that the officials would be as loyal to his successor at the Blackball mine in the future, as they had been to him in the past. A song “Genevieve,” by Mr W. Brady followed. A series of yarns were indulged in by members present, followed by songs “Two Chums” by W. Richardson and “The Spider and the Fly,” by J. Williams. A song “The Auctioneer” was also rendered by Jas. Neilson. Toast, “Kindred Sports” was later proposed by Mr Geo. Brady, which was responded to by C. Hogg (Soccer), J. Nuttall and J. Vaughan (League). Songs were rendered during the evening by J. Vaughan “Sailing up the Clyde,” D. J. Cochrane “River Shannon,” C. Hogg “Dear Home Across the Sea,” Geo. Brady, “Mother Machree,” W. Parsonage “Song Without Words,” J. McCallum “Mary of Argyle,” followed by fishing yarns by Messrs L. Mori and W. Richardson, also community singing. followed by the rendering of a song “Old Rustic Bridge” by W. Brady, “Queen of the Earth” by T. Caldwell, “Annie Laurie,” by D. J. Cochrane, and “Mary,” D. J. Cochrane, “My Ain’ Folks” Geo. Bray, and community singing of “Aloha” followed. Jas. Neilson rendered “Scotland Yet” and “Dear Little Shamrock.” Later, J. Nuttall proposed the toast of “The Coal Mining Industry of New Zealand” responded to by Mr W. Parsonage, Jas. Neilson and C. Hogg, followed by a song “When the Fields are White With Daisies,” by W. Richardson, recitation by L. Mori and song “Bonniest Lass at the Fair,” by C. Hogg. Mr W. Richardson later proposed the toast “The Press” responded to by J. Vaughan. Song by Wattie Anderson “Will Ye No Come Back Again" followed. Mr C. Hogg then proposed the toast “Our Pianist” which was responded to with musical honours. Latei 1 a lecturette “How to be Happy, Though Married” was given by Mr Wattie Anderson. Mr J. McCallum then proposed the toast “Our Chairman” which was duly honoured, Mr Neilson responding. i Financial members of the Miners’ Union received a further one week’s strike pay, on Friday evening. The scale of allowance is £1 pel' member, with 10/- wife and 5/- each child (under 15 years of age).. Prospects for the Soccer code in this locality look rather gloomy for th? approaching season, W. Parsonage (goalkeeper), A. Lamberton (fullback) and Jas. Anderson (half-back) having left the district. The two latter players are domiciled at Denniston. Schoolboy “Soccer” will be at a low ebb this season locally eight memlow ebb this season locally eight mem bers of last season’s team having left the school. The only members of last season’s schoolboys’ team avail able for this season will be A. Vaughan, W. McNaughton, and W. Balderstone.