BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1925, Page 7

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our own Correspondent). Councillor Irvine, County Engineer Higgins and the County Clerk (Mr M. Keating) visited Blackball on Tuesday last, a'lid placed before a representative committee of citizens the County Council’s proposals and negotiations regarding a pure water supply for Blackball. From the data produced, it was proved that the matter has been gone into thoroughly by the Council, and in the ’near future the people of 'Blackball will have an opportunity of deciding by ballot whether they are keen on a pure water supply or not. The Blackball Miners’ Union have been notified by the Department of Health that the Blackball Coal Company have been requisitioend to make improvements in their famous lint property that will ensure better housing accommodation for its bachelor slaves. During Dr. Telford’s visit here, a few weeks ago, several other “residences” were “named” as being a menace to health and decency. It is up to the Department’ of Health to unravel the red tape it is bound by, and to take action. The housing assistance scheme of the Blackball Coal Company is seemiirgly hanging fire. When the Coal Company find time to instal a chief clerk in the oilice and allow the manager time to attend to necessary business, something may be done in the matter. Several of the employees of th<Blackball Coal Company found themselves temporarily out of employment, owi’iig to several working places being declared unsafe. After a lot of effort the management were persuaded to open up som e new places which re lieved the situation, although at on? time it looked as if a deadlock was g.>ing to he reached on the question. However, all’s wvll that ends well. Relaticris between the Roa Coal Company am! its profit producers are hardly what one would call harmonious, ami several incidents recently have caused friction, that has resulted in a h.ss of profits and wages. From all accounts, some of. the understrappers i'i: th<‘ mines are developing a tendency to become somewhat officious. Officiousness never yet proved to be an asset te a “<al Company, ami never will. Blackball and Roa mixies lost a shift or two owing to the storm in Cook 'The Blackball (km! Companv Jiavc commenced to clean out Old No. 2. Dip, and ultimately hope to establish connection with No. 9 seam. It is expected to he able, as a result to place th ( . mine on sbngle shift, thereby cheapening the cost of production and increasing the output. Mr D. Walker, a trucker in the Con Company’s employ, had the misfortune eo get some of his fingers crushed. The injuries necessitated his removal to the Grey River Hospital. The Blackball Miners’ Hull and Public Library are recei\ing a new coa* of paint, i.'iid ei-e to undergo a general overhnul. Main Street, Blackball, will .'-coon resemble Piccndillv Circus! Reefton's failure to field a Soccer team against the locals last Sunday I'liiisci! considerable disappointment ir. local Soccer circles, the local club thereby losing the opportunity of .securing a good gate a»nd trying out some new blood. As the next game is with Grey at Greymouth and as that Chib are at present undefeated, the* choosing of the eleven Red and Blacks to lower their colours is causing the selecors considerlde concern.

An effort is being made to establisl: a tennis club in Blackball, and in the near future we expect to see the elite and the extremes dressed in immaculate flannel rigout, competing i»n friendly rivalry on the local tennis court. Sport is a great leveller, especially a rough game of Rugby. League or SocBlackball League Juniors will have a clear field on Sunday, when Dunollie Rovers will provide the locals with a good, hard gatin', ami two points. There is very little cha’age in the personnel of the Blackball teams this week-end albeit the seniors have one or two on the injured list who will have to be replaced. All the footballers are at present envying Jack Haisty and his tri}) io Auckland, but hope to see him produce a game good enough to secure a trip to Aussie with the New Zealand League All Blacks. The failure of Johnnie Dodds to secure recognition caused disappoint meat. However, Johnnie has yet plenty of time to secure honours, which, in the opinion of Blackball fans, must come sooner or later. Anyone wishing to have the ‘Argus’ left can hav ( > their wants supplied by notifying Mr A. McLuskie, the locM agent. Workers, support the paper that supports your claims for improved wages and conditions!