DENNISTON NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1922, Page 7

DENNISTON NOTES.

Nev«T w v:is thorp nif>re nood or a Town I'-anW Progress Association on tlie Hill I Denniston, than there is at the nninuynt. For the past week or ten duvs alnwost every resident has hud to enrrv w.Jter from sundry ratural supplies’, anti a great deal from the Westport Colnl Company's dams. With the exception of some of the ho’els and few residents who were fortunate in bavin 0 ' water laid on from the beforementioned dams, every other one was dependent on rain water, which was caught i 'ii the roofs and conserved in tniif - ’ an< l easks; and so low was the water becoming in the Company's reservoir that, to avoid closing down the mini's, '.hey have had to shut oft • luring periods—even those who were eunnectC'l with the .reservoirs. The shortage of water, although rare here, is a matter of serious concern. The occupation of a miner, ami even all those who labour in or about a mine, means the necessity of a good supply for the cleanliness of the community. And more important still from a health point of view is it essential that, for drinking purposes, the liquid should be pure. 1 have had the privilege of examining water from the Company’s dams, in its ordinary state, boiled and filtered ami was astonished ait the questionable nature of its qualities, the residue in all probably containing geims of many orders. These conditions cannot be charged against the coal company. Their reHerves or dams or whatever one may choose to term them, were built to contain water for supplying hydraulic and boiler uses ana not tor human consumption. The onus is not alone on the Health Department but on those who have by natural compulsion to use it, mid seo to it that epidemics are not courted by permitting the position, so far as the waler supply of the •?umuiunity is concerned, to obtain as nt present. There is now ample opportunity for the level headed men id whom there arc a host on the Hill to move towards a better condition. If we await the Government ai t ion, we may be at the same time court the many epidemics, though not—as some may aver —having occurred in lhe past, are just as likely to overtake us. This is a matter that effects every man and woman who have families and a publi«? meeting convened to not only discus.'l the position but to act in ibis connection should bo attended by all. The enterprise of the mail contractor, who also runs a motor passenger service from Waimangaroa to ami from the Hill, is being rewarded in the direction of the support he is receiving in the carriage of goods by means of an up-to-date “Garford” motor lorry from all parts of the district. 'I his vehicle can at short notice be converted into a comfortable char-a-banc which fitted with comfortable upholstered spring seats, accommodates between 2.) lo 30 passengers. Hero was an opening which missed the I nion s notice ami would have been a very fine business jpropojrit ion. At an early ditto the public, or should 1 say the parents of the children attending the Denniston public

s hoi.l, will be a.-kvd io meet the newly 1 appointed school committee and with them discuss matters of vital interest ■ i : furthering lhe comfort and education of their little ones. Here the parents will be given an opportunity to bring forward any grievances they may have or imagine and it is a fair thing to 1 lie Committee that they should assist them in their endeavours to do justice to their office. A meeting of the Denniston Drivers’ I nion decided some short while ago to take a ballot as to whether they should link themselves up with the Granity and Westland Drivers’ Union. The result was that, of lhe 60 members comprising the Denniston Union, 43 were in favour of lhe scheme. J 6 voting no and one vote being- informal. Owing to the resignation of the President through continued ill health Mr W. Kidd was elected in his stead. Air \ ie Smith as Secretary also tendered his resignation and Mr J. Warren was appointed to the Secretaryship. A Juvenile Boxing Tourney is to be held at Denniston on pay Friday, 3(Hh instant in aid of lhe Motor Ambulance Fund. So pronounced a success was the last Juvenile arrangement that Mr Cliff Thomas the popular boxing referee ami sport has donated a trophy for competition; so also has Tom Ellcock. The clean sportsmanship ami keenness that was displayed at the last tournament promises an equally good treat for those who will patronise the show on the 30th. The bouts will be referred by Messrs Cliff Thomas and i.e.r friend— Gus I’arkey—both of Westport. Joe Smitn, who has been so popular as host of the Mt. Roehfort Hotel, retires into private life at the end of Iho present month ami his successor will be Mr W. Jack who met with a serious accident here some time ago. The new proprietor has tody to follow in the steps of his predecessor to make a success of his venture and he has the best wishes of his friends. On the. 17th, the Denniston senior Rugby team and a host, of supporters journeyed Io Granity, and while there played the Rovers. The opinion of an <»bl rep and prominent sport .from lhe Hill considered that our boys wore outclassed. He considered the Deiiiiisbrn lc: m too light, and, althought they opined particularly well, faded away against the opposition. . Davies he deemed far and away the best back on the field and Goodall of the winners easily the best all-round man on the day. A large crowd witnessed the game, which resulted in favour of lhe Rovers by 17 points to nil. Ngakawau juniors areompanied by two or three car loads of supporters among which were several of the officials of the Stickton Mine Company, visited Denniston on the ISth, and the team from the seaside played and drew with lhe ‘‘Pirates” (Burnett’s Face). Webster of the Pirates piloted a very fine drop kick from the 25 between Ngakawau’s