WESTPORT NEWS.

Grey River Argus, 20 June 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NEWS.

(Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, June 19. The performance on behalf of the Fire Brigade was a great success. £l2O being taken at the door. It has been estimated that £4O will clear expenses Tliis will leave a fair amount for ab solute necessaries. It is stated that many had to be turned away, the house was so full. In connection with the establishment of a High School at Denniston, it was stated at the meeting of the Board of Managers of Westport District Technical School that the Hon. Mr Mclntyre had informed the Education Department that Westport was not against the proposition. The Chairman, Mr Harkness, stated that Westport was against the establishment of a secondary school, but not against scholars getting secondary education. The County Councillor for Waimangaroa riding appears to have, in vulgar parlance, “lost his block,” at the last meeting of the Council. After vaguely hinting there was something that would hardly stand the light of day about the case of a dismissed sanitary employee, he took up a threatening attitude to the effect that ho would resign if he could not have his own way, viz., get the man the sack. We have precedent in Westport, where a member of a local body resigned his seat, and some electors nominated a party “for a joke,” and the “joke” won. It is understood that the Public Works Department is to proceed with the work of the Westport-Inangahua Railway. Now the cascade portion is completed the work will be pushed on, but it will bo s- few months before it • can be put into full swing, awaiting machinery necessary. In the mean time those employed, both permanents and relief workers, will be kept cm ployed. In the report of the Nertv Zealand Federated Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers the following appears: —“A Council of Conciliation was set up, and it is pleasing to note that affiliated organisations worked in perfect harmony to secure the best results for those employed in the trade. A complete agreement was arrived at on all points, with the exception of wages. The conditions of employment which your representatives were able to secure are a distinct improvement on previous awards. The wages question will be determined by the Court of Arbitration in June n.ext in Wellington.” Is the Building Inspector of the Borough Council doing the right thing in issuing permits for the erection of buildings within the brick area of the Borough, such as the two new motor garages being constructed in Palmerston Street? In the opinion of your humble scribe, the right thing is not being done, and the new Council should stick to its bye-laws or wipe them out altogether. It was remarked to Judge Adams by Mr A. A. Wilson in presenting white gloves at the Supreme Court hero that it was the third session without any criminal ease. The Judge said th 3 same thing had happened in Greymouth and also in Hokitika with frequency. The whole district served by the Supremo Court on this Coast showed a gratifying absence of such crime. He joined with the legal profession in congratulating the district. Certainly ,t makes less work for the Bench—and less business for the fraternity! The death occurred in the Buller liopital of William James Douglas, a miner, 42 years of age. He leaves a wife and live children, three boys and two girls. He was a native of Scotland, and camo to New Zealand 21 years ago He was for 13 years in the employ of the Westport-Stockton Coal Company. Latterly he resided at Nine Mile Road. The Official Assignee applied for the release under the Bankruptcy Act of M. S. Forman, W. Blair, W. J. RusselL C. Herring, 8. Croawell, and G. J. Childs in the Supreme Court here before His Honour Mr Justice Adams. The application in each case was granted. At the Friendly Societies’ card tour-

n ament, prizes were won by Mesdames Prout and Collins, and Messrs McLaughlin and C. Brewer (euchre) and Mr Douthett (45’s). . In the Magistrate’s Court, Eric Senior was charged with not attending drill. Defendant, was fined £5 and C °The Parents’ Association has decided to raise funds for draining and improving the school playground. At the Supreme Court, Cecil C. Bake, was granted a decree nisi on his application for a divorce from Amelia Baker on the grounds of desertion. It was a war marriage in July, 1915. At the front Baker received letters which showed she was unfaithful. When he returned he overlooked this. Then his wife left him, and they had not corresponded since. There were no children of the marriage. Petitioner said after his marriage they lived together for about a week. He was away at the war for over four years, and when he returned his wife was at Motueka. He went there for about a week. Feelings were strained before she deserted. She never told him she was leaving. He went away-to work in the morning, and when he came home at night she had gone. She had over £lOO when she left. He had given her no cause foi desertion. In reply to His Honour Mr Wilson said there was no witness ' to give corroborative evidence. In the Child Welfare Court for selling cigarettes to a youth under the age ol 15 a shopkeeper was fined £1 and costs A divorce petition was granted to b< made absolute in three months, peti tioner to have custody of the child, ii * the case of F. L. Filer v. T. Filer > wife’s petition, corroborating evidence being given by B. J. Baker, her brother Mrs Filer said.she was married in 1914 There was one child. They lived ii Wales for four years, and then came t< -New Zealand and lived at Denniston ’ and then went to Stockton. It endec

in a violent scene* at Stockton. Her husband then said—“l have had enough of this,’’ and she said—“So have I.’They decided to part, and her husband sold the home and had gone to Reefton That was in 1923. She went to keep house for her brother in Denniston WESTPORT TECHNICAL SCHOOL. At the monthly meeting of the Board there were present: Mr Harkness (Mayor) m the chair. Messrs Atkinson, Todd, Gothard, and Snodgrass, and Dr Foote. Apologies were received from Mrs Bird and Mr Slee. The Directors’ report was read, received and considered. In respect to the classes generally, the Board considered they were encouraging, considering the uphill fight that was experienced last year. Correspondence was received from Department of Education re appointment of teachers. A reply from Christchurch in regard to treatment of students on their visit to Christchurch was received. Mr Atkinson reported upon the grounds. He thought the grass grub was at work. He recommended that liming take place to remedy this. Before action is taken it is advisable to get the opinion of Mr Bruce. Dr Foote stated that the Golf Club had sent a specimen away for analysis. Members thought more top dressing and rolling were required. It was resolved to call tenders for 100 loads of soil for top dressing the grounds. Mr Bruce is to be written to asking advice re the grass grub. The bay School Committee reported that black-boards needed to be fixed. The caretaker is to attend to this. The Evening School Committee had nothing to report. As delegate to the conference on Wednesday, August 3rd, Mr Harkness was appointed. Dr Foote gave a' report upon machinery at present in use. An offer of an electric motor had been received amounting to about £6O. It was referred back to ascertain the cost of running. It was resolved that two days of consecutive training be held 'at the end of the year for manual training, the boys practically to go into barracks.

The Director’s report stated that at the day school, work has been going on steadily. The day school roll is at present 147, an increase of three—the attendance has been a little affected by the cold weather. In some cases parents have taken their children away from the day school without sufficient reason, and without even notifying me of the fact. This is to be regretted. and I would point out that in such eases the Board may, if it so desires, claim payment of fees. The school staffing may be affected. On Friday, June 3rd, two girls’ teams played in a most enjoyable six-a-side hockey tournament at Denniston; our A team was defeated in the semi-final. Mr Longworth, Director of Physical Training for New Zealand, paid a visit to the school on Friday last, and expressed approval of our schemes of exercises and games. The school was also visited by Professor Easterfield, Mr Bruce, and several members of the Canadian football team. Miss Hogg was absent owing to illness from June 2 to June 8. Evening School.—The work and attendance generally is satisfactory. The Woodwork and Applied Art classes are the most popular; Dressmaking and Engineering will have to be discontinued if the attendance does not improve. There are far too many pupils who enrol for classes, but who haven’t the necessary stability of character and determination to keep on with the work. They are easily attracted by less important matters, and in some cases the parents adopt the line of least resistance. We have well qualified instructors in the evening classes, and excellent facilities for instruction, but we cannot force pupils to attend; that should be the parents’ job where necessary. I have not felt justified in holding a Woodwork class on another evening, as not sufficient could attend; the most enthusiastic are attending other classes also. Fees outstanding amount to £lB 10/-. Grounds and Buildings.— These will be reported on in detail by the visiting committees, but I would like to stress the point that much of the good work done on the grounds will be wasted unless still further work is done. Expenditure now will save heavier expenditure later on. Minor repairs have constantly to be made in' the buildings, owing chiefly, I think, to faulty construction in the first place. General.—The Past Students are putting on an entertainment on Thursday, June 30, for the benefit of the school funds, and I would ask the Board for its patronage. Mrs Radford has been appointed to the position of Instructress in Needlework for Teachers’ Certificate candidates, and. takes the class on Saturday mornings. Eight pupils are sitting for parts of the “D” Certificate examination. The establishment of a District High School at Denniston has been approved by the Council of Education. This is a distinct advantage to the Denniston people, and at present will not materially affect us. Senior Free Place pupils may still attend this school if they so desire; but recent utterances of the Minister of Education show that he is strongly opposed to the establishment of hostels in places such as Westport. The reference books for the Library have come to hand and I am very pleased with them. We have to thank the Buller Rugby Union for the gift of a match football for the school