WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1926, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

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WESTPORT, October 12. , The output of the Westport Coal Company last week was as follows: — Shipped 7802 tons 11 cwt of coal and 103 tons 9 cw t of coke; local sales, 202 tons 19 cwt of coal.

The Westport Stockton Company shipped 2775 tons 19 cwt of coal for the week.

I am bound to secrecy as to what form it 'is to take, but the greatest surprise of the season is promised those who visit the Sunshine Plunket Party on. Friday night. The indefatigable committee are running themselves to a standstill, and they have promised themselves a rest when it is all over. Then again, consider the prices—one bob, a Colonial Robert, for al[ the enjoyment you will receive all the satisfaction you will give fl committee and all the ultimate good to the unborn. Pack out the Theatre Royal o n Friday night! If it is wet, the prams and go-carts may park in th© Town Hall yard alongside the theatre.

On Monday afternoon, there passed away a- very respected resident of the district in the person of Mr. R. Leighton, of the Commercial Hotel. Born in Nelson 55 years ago. Bob, as we familiarly called him, has travelled the Coast, Greymouth, Millerton, Denniston, having been the scene of his labours. For many months he had been unable tn do much owing to heart trouble, and for the last fortnight he had collapsed altogether and had to take to his bed. The end, altough i t may have been expected, camo with suddenness. To the sorrowing widow and relatives the commonit" will extend their sympathy. Labour people have been met with the argument that an award of the Arbitration Court cannot be procured fo r agricultural labourers. Presumably employees who work on farms about the Buller district will come under the category of agricultural labourers. Well, we had a meeting ii Westport recently, and an organiser endeavoured to get the fanners to unite. No Labourite should object to that as by unity the farmers would expect to get better conditions and better prices and to better their position generally. Seeing the agricultural labourers cannot combine and get an award of the court, would it be asking too much of the farmers to frame conditions fer employees- to meet a case like this. A voting fellow of about 17 years of age agreed to work on n farm situate within the Buller district for 30s a week, and found —but we won’t mention the hour§, suffice it that he did not get a 44 hour-week He agreed to work the first two weeks at 25s to see how he got on. He evi dently .suited as he was kept going for another two weeks. Upon .the em ployer making out his cheque, he told him he would not be wanted afte the current week, as he had an of fer from another lad to do the job for 15s a week. This is true, and the other lad was not a “homey” either. Jack O’Neill is getting together some good stuff for the schoolboys boxing tourney that is to take place on the 29th. Inst. Jack knows a- 10l of points in the game, and he is doing his best to impart them to willing pupils. There is little doubt that these tourneys will give more pleasure than some top notchers.

The Friendly Society card tourne; takes place on Thursday night at their hall, Palmerston Street. The euchre and forty-fives seem to su-'l keep up the interest, and now there is a first and second prize for the fortyfives and a 20s prize for the monthly aggregate in the euchre, the interest is more intense.

Mr. T. Beswick, lately transferred from Westport to Okahune in the N.Z.R. Izocomotive Department, was on Saturday last at Wellington married to Miss Winnie Martin, lately employed by Harden and Co. of Palmerston St., Westport.

On Saturday last the death took place with awful suddenness of Mr. F. Huddleston, late prop, etor of the “Delta” cooked food shop, from which he lately sold out. He was a ■ quite unassuming man, and there ate many who learned of his sudden demise with regret. The sympathy of the community will be extended to the widow and son in their bereavement BULLER DIAMOND JUBILEE. There was a committee meeting held in the Town Hall on Monday night, Mr. F. S. Wood presiding, and a large number of the committee men were present. Mr. Joseph Rose was appointed as the Bowling- Club s delegate on the committee. Mr. E. Jones as the Scouts’ delegate. Mr. E. Herring, of Cape Foulwind, was appointed as jhe Cape delegate on the Committee. The Town Clerk wrote that the request made by the committee for the use of Victoria Square for the Jubilee Work was granted by 1 the Council. The Secretary of the Westport Labour Party wrote asking j the Jubilee Committee to meet aj 1 , p.m. on Monday next so that Mr. Hol

land M.Pcould address a public meeting i a the Town Hall at 8 p.m. was decided to meet at 7 p.rn, as requested. Mr. Connally reported that the Westport Athletic Association held a meeting a few nights ago. and invited the Cape delegates to discuss matters, but they did not turn up. It was decided that the Athletic Association meet in the Town Hall on Friday night next and that the Cape Foulwind delegates be asked to attend. Mr. Moloey on behalf of the Public ity Committee reported its recommendation that accommodation in private residences for visitors during the carnival week be advertised for, so as- to cope with the large number of visitors coming and also that photographs be procured for insertion in the press of the Dominion. The Finance Committee reported, that so far ,£253 had been received in cash and guarantors for the Jubilee.

The Queen of the Carnival Committee recommended that the County be divided up into blocks for each queen, and that queens i be selected as follows:—(1) Denniston, Burnetts Face and Waimangaroa; (2) Millerton and Granity. (3) Stockton, Ngakawau and Seddonville, (4) Westport, and (5) outlying districts, and that th|s ’arranglpment be advertised in the Westport Times, Westport News, and Grey River Argus. Mr. Howarth was selected as the convener of the Queen Carnival Committee. The nominations for the queens to be in by October 25th., 1926.

A report was announced of the Ladies ’Committee stating that at their largely-attended meeting it was decided that a social be held at an early date to raise funds fop decorating the hall and providing a supper for the grand ball for the children in Jubilee Week.

Mr. D. Moloney suggested that a monster May Pole Dance be arranged in Victoria Square for the children’s Sports Day, and that a prize be given for the best set. Mr. Howarth said that at that time the schools would be on holiday and he wondered if the school teachers would assist. It was resolved that all the lady delegates on the committee be empowered to act with the Social Committee. It was decided that arrangements for the dinner and conversazionq be dealt with at a committee meeting on Monday, October 25, and that the ladies be invited to attend the meeting. The Visitors’ Committee were requested to arrange invitation cards for the pioneers at the jubilee and it was decided to arrange for a special souvenir for the Jubilee Week. The Chairman reported that a very large portion of the town had yet to be canvassed for financial assistance.