WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 4 February 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our Ow» /o>rrespondentA WESTPORT, Feb. 3. “Argus” readers hereabouts sustained a loss on Tuesday through their papers not getting delivered, the slips and washouts on the road being accountable for the delay. The cars did not arrive until midnight. The State Schools in this district reopened on Wednesday. Mothers will not know how to pass their time now. The railway picnic takes place on Sunday next, leaving Westport for Spencer’s Siding, Mokihinui, at 9 a.m. It is stated that the train is run for employees and their families, and if any other passengers are taken they will have to pay their fares. There is stated to be accommodation provided for 1000. Buller County Council are calling tenders for metalling road nt Taurauga Bay, and the Westport Coal Company are calling tenders for road construction, Denniston to Wareatea. Watchmakers and jewellers are up in arms about itinerant auctioneers, and recommending the matter to the Municipal Conference for its consideration next week at Palmerston North. There are certainly a goodly number of people in Westport who have vivid recollections of what can happen when these itinerant auctioneers strike a town. Hubby’s wages go quickly when this conies about. The Government Tourist Department have got into the bad grace’s of medical men who have arrived in New Zealand for the purpose of attending a congress at Dunedin. Although arrangements were made with the Department months ago, all their plans miscarried through the lax methods of some section of that 1 )epa rtment. On Tuesday afternoon, the Rail wav Workshops Foreman, Mr Taylor, presented Mr (’laridge, of the clerical staff, with a handsome clock, as a mark o!

the esteem o» his workmates, and a memento of his recent marriage. Air (’laridge suitably returned thanks. Mr Tom Beswick, lately transferred tn Ohakunc from West port, has now received notice of a further transfer to North Auckland. He won’t be sorry. Dick McDonagh made a .false start for Karamea, as the slips at Alokihinui prevented his proceeding; but nothing daunted he set off again on WednesAlr Jimmy King, who was nicknamed “the man with the iron jaw,” through his ability to tear up benzine boxes with his teeth to make morning wood, has unfortunately gone sick and retired to the district hospital for treatment. Let us hope he will soon In* fit again, and he able to bite up a good stock of kindling wood before going home. It is hard to say whether, in the New Year, Henry Dubb or his good rcsolu tions are first “broke”. Last Saturday was the hottest day we have had in Westport this summer. Then* wore several cases reported of men mouthing at the froth. It is stated to be 42 years since the foundation stone of the Westport Harbour Works was laid. Sir Robert Stout performed the ceremony. Air John Hughes was then Mayor. Air J. Hughe:;,

his son, is at present in AVestport, on a visit from N.S.W. Other notables present were Air Levastani, AI.H.IL, of Nelson, father of Air G. Levastani, of the “Eileen Ward.” Air Eugene O’Connor, M.H.R., Buller, Air Alonteilh A1.11.R. Inangahua, and many other shining lights of that period. What, should prove exceptionally interesting at the present critical juncture is the public address to be given on Saturday evening at Westport on “The Present Position in China,” by Air 11. E. Holland, M.P., who will speak at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall, and probably, if the evening is line, he will -speak in the open air. Scarcely any public man in New Zealand lias so learned and deep an understanding of international questions as the Leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, and his analysis of the crisis in the Flowery Land, with its untold possibilities, .should be exceptionally interesting to everybody. No doubt there will be a big crowd to hear the address. There’s an old saying that “talk’s cheap.” If that is so. how comes it that they are charging, or intend to charge, £3O a minute for radio-tele-phoning from London to Australia. A marriage notice records that Miss Pheasant was married to Mr Partrigde. Both game!