NGAKAWAU NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1922, Page 6

NGAKAWAU NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.) After a 'very rough spell, we arc getting a few fine days, which are very : ccejdable. Let us hope that it will last for a few weeks. The Ngakawnii Coal Alining Syndicate are still pouring out coal at the rate of one or two ■wagon loads per day, and still those two shares are up for sale. Just roeently there was a person in this district who thought he could drive a motor lorry, and he generally got all the road to himself, but one day the local butcher was not quite quick enough for him, though he gave him as much of the road as he possibly could with safety. Evidently the motor man wanted more, so he just put Al r Butcher into the ditch, and passed on without saying “good dry.” Rather a serious accident occurred at the Charming (’reek Sawmill the other day. a man named J. Clarke getting two bones of his leg broken by being caught in the bight of the haul age rope. The sufferer was taken to the Westport Hospital, where it is reported he is doing as well : s can be expected. ( During the week-end Air Reece (chairman of directors of the WestportStockton Coal Co.) and Mr Newman (another ilirector) paid a visit to Nga-kaw.-iu to inspect the mine and other properties belonging to the company. It is reported that several deputations waited on them last S- turday morning re tin* reductions ami wage cuts, pointing out that the cuts were altogether out of proportion to tin' reductions in the cost of living. It was also pointed out to them that the company’s officials were taking away small privileges that were grunted outside either th-? court or the award, :nd that in tin. 1 opinion of the men, those privileges should not have been touched. It is stated that the directors agreed that that was so. I am also informed that Air Reece has asked the secretary of the union to let him have a compiled list of prices paid here for the usual commodities of life, so tint he can compare them with the prices ruling in other places. All the deputations got a very sympathetic hearing, and are waiting patiently for their decision. On Sunday last a Soccer football match was played at Granity between the .Millerton Wanderers rnd the Atillerton Thistles. During the afternoon the Granity Silver Band rendered sweet music on the ground. The game end ’«l , by three goals to one in favour of the Wanderers, after a very evenly-contest ed game, ami by the day’s play a draw would have been a better indication of the merits of the te: ms. There are no doubt some very fine players amongst them, who would show to more advantage with more practice. The proceeds of the game went to the Russian I'aminc Ihdicf Fund.

This place is at present blessed with two butchers, and there is very I‘ttle difference in their prices, but when the Hawkins Bros, gel more settled, we expect to get better cuts in beef ami We have also got a new baker in the pl-ce. Mr Russell having bought

out Air S. Harvey, ami by all appear anues, he is doing a roaring trade, pecially in cake and small goods, in which department he is an expert. Hi is contemplating enlarging his establishment. I woidd here like to draw the : r trillion of the powers that be to the unsatisfai'tory state of the approache?to the footbridge over the Ngakriwan River. In the opinion of the wri ter, it needs a turnstile or bar at each end to prevent horses and c-ttle from going over. Just recently a drover was trying to get some cattle on to the traffic bridge, when one beast took to the footbridge, ami a lady who was passing over at the time had a narrow es<:ipe from being knorkeed into the river below. I would also like to draw the attention of those cyclists who : re in the habit of riding on the bridge to the danger they run of a collision with pedestrians, especially when they have no light. Perhaps the local police ollicer could spare a little lime some night to trv and catch one or two for riding without lights, and by so doing, do a good turn to others of the population. A good deal has been heard and S‘ id about the recent wage cut, also a good deal of spi’i'iiiation as to how the companies worked out their figures to arrive at the amount to be cut off. Theio have also been a few arguments :s to whether it was a I 1 per cent, or a 12A pur (-ent. cut that was to be made, but it was very generally understood that it was to be a reduction on tin* bonuses given during the war period, and not a reduction on the geni*ral w: ge. In that case it is hard to find where they get tlu ir amounts from, for in some instances the cut made is as high as I't pur cent., ami there should a!!’’ gentry part up what they have taken off too much. On Sunday, lhe 28tli, a football mat' ll w ill be played in MrN: rn s Paddock, Ngakawau, between Ngakawan juniors and .Millerton Rangers. The home team have been strengthened by some now players, and are expected to put up a good go. On Saturday, tin? 20th, they were defeated in Westport. 'flic Alokihiuiii team played the Rivals at Westport on the 2(>tli, ami won, the scores being 18 to eight in favour of the visitors. A good deni of caustic comment was passed at Granity on Saturday, 20th, on the ; ction of the Westport Football Club, which should have playi?d lhe Rovers at Granity, but which nt the last minute <seut word that it

could not gut a team. It is rather a curious coincidence that whenvxer a 'iountry team plays in Westport, th*?, home teams are alw: vs able to put a strong team in the field, but when they have to come to the country to play, they generally have tu scratch up any old team. Now, that is hardly what you might call a fair deal, and it is I li: t sort of sportsmanship that drives th<‘ best of Rugbyites over to the League game, but perhaps it is the fault of the. employers of AVestport more than the players. I would advice the Buller Rugby I’nion to have a little more consideration fur the country players in future if they want to keep them in lhe Rugby pea. Lost, stolen or strayed, a person or persons able to build a dam, lay a pipe line, ; ml convey a stream of water to the Westport-Stockton Coal Company’s bath-houses at Stockton. Anyone who can induce the above company to get a move on in that direction will confer an everlasting blessing on the boarders at the now boarding house, where there are about 26 boarders and bathing facilities for about six. 1 am informed, that after the first three or four have had a bath, both taps run the .same sort of Water —cold.