BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1925, Page 7

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our own Correspondent). Mr and Mrs W. Goodall gave a party in the Druids’ Hall on August 5, on the occasion of the 21st birthday of their daughter, Grace. A very large '.lumber of friends and acquaintances were present, and a most enjoyable evening was spent, games and dancing being indulged in, till well into the early hours of the morning. A gahtering of the elans took place ir. Blackball on Saturday, when Highlanders, Lowlanders, West County Irish men and Whistlers paid a surprise visit to the home cf Mrs T. Kerr, senr., when all the pent-up Scotch mirth, humour, and frolic were let loose to some pur pose. Those present state it was a night of nights.

Soccer fans had a day out on Sunday when the five-a-side tourney was held at Blackball. Before a good crowd some highly interesting games resulted but the Rewanui A five proved too youthful and dashing in the final, and played Blackball B to a standstill, winning the gold medals. It is only fair to state the Blackball B's, however had previously gone through a long and gruelling game in the semi-final with the Blackball D team.

Miss L. Campbell is on a visit to the South Westland district.

Quite a number of new arrivals who started in the Blackball and Roa mines recently were noticed pulling out dining the past week. The slack time seems to have shocked and surprised them after the glowing fairy tales about the prosperity of New Zealand. If the workers knew anything at all about their position in present day society, they would know that it is matterless what country they get to, the struggle for existence so far as the wage slaves are concerned is a keen one, and the enemy is still the “exploiter” who battens and fattens on the productivity of the workers. The Blackball Coal Company had the misfortune to lose a valuable bit of horseflesh in the slave pen on Friday last. Mr Smith the new clerk of the Blackball Coal Company, has taken up his duties. Blackball visitors to the Christchurch Racing Carnival include Mrs J. Campbell and Miss J. Fitzgerald. The Blackball Coal Company have commenced to effect the improvements authorised by the Medical Officer of Health. They have also agreed to make advances to any of their employees who desire to improve their “shacks” or dwellings. Mr Toni Moore has generously don uti'd a free picture show to the Blackball Sports Committee, the proceeds tc go towards liquidating the Committee’s liabilities.

A party of Blackball sportsmen left for Avoca on Saturday, with a large contingent of dogs, Wild jugs and hares arc the game in view. Amongst, those making the trip were Messrs Driscoll, Duncan and Marion, Mr Tom Wilson is a visitor to Christ church. Rumour states he will return with a bride, Mr Bert Short, who has been an inmate of the Grey River Hospital, returned home during the week-end. The Blackball Communist Group held a very interesting and well attended meeting on Sunday last. Study classes are to be formed for workers who desire to participate in a mental revolution are cordially invited. I understand the mackball prohibitionists are putting in a lot of quiet propaganda for the forthcoming poll. Blackball League funs are disappoint cd that only two players found their way into the Rugby League reps. However, the others state that they will endeavour in the Knock-out Competition, to prove the selectors all wrong.

Blackball third and fourth graders ware down to play at Ngahere on Sunday. However the 4th used the scratch ink pen, the third turned out, but were narrowly beaten by Nelson Creek. Blackball Soccer seniors have (notched a convincing victory over Greymouth, and as a consequence, went to the head of the competition. They sannot afford to make any slips, as Grey and Rewanui United are only a whisker behind. The Blackball Soccer Club, at a meeting held on Sunday ,decided to donate £2 2s towards the expenses of the Boys’ Rep. Teams to visit Christchurch. They turned down the proposal to send A Rep. team to Canterbury, owing to the unfavourable terms offered. The Club decided to visit Denniston, and probably Westport and Millerton. Messrs 11. Neilson and J. Kerr represented the Blackball Engine Drivers' Union at the wage conference at Reefton. A special mooting of the Blackball Miners’ Union will be held on Sunday next.