WESTPORT NEWS.

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NEWS.

(Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, June' 21. Might I be pardoned for making a suggestion that should be immediately taken advantage of ? The Parliamentary Session is on, and it is likely to be one of the first importance. Most readers are aware how so-called Press Association news comes through. Mr Harry Holland has told us that more than once. Well, the “Argus” is to have a Special Parliamentary Reporter on the job. That means news straight from the producer to the consumer. \V c arc the consumers, and want the truest and best; therefore, if you are not a subscriber, put your order in at once to Mr Greenwood, and if you are a subscriber see that the non-subscriber gets the good tidings and becomes a subscriber. You will get a better idea of what is really happening that way. On Sunday night Mr IT. E. Holland, M.P.. gave a resume of ■what took place at the Labour Party Conference at Easter to a meeting of Labourites at the Branch Room in Henley Street. After touching upon some of the more important items, ho expressed himself as satisfied with the progress the Party is making throughout the Dominion. He explained the lantl policy, and repudiated the statement which has been made in the Press that the Party have discarded the usehold. He also described the endeavours which were made at the Conference to weaken the Party’s attitude towards Communism, which proved abortive. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was carried with acclamation.

Rather a startling episode took place on Monday afternoon while Hanson ami Co. were conducting an auction sale of drapery. Suddenly the blare of a trumpet, the beating of a big drum, and the loud singing of a hymn disturbed the proceedings, so much so that the auctioneer’s voice was drowned! After the hymn was finished a prayer was offered up —but it was the auctioneer who did it. Whether the cause can be assigned to these eclipses of the moon and the sun which have been occurring lately it is hard to say. The “Friendlies” are keeping the ball rolling, or rather keeping euchre and 45’s to' the fore. The satisfied patrons roll up Thursday after Thursday, and fight to the bitter end for the splendid prizes. Although the nights are cold, the supper is warm. Where can you get cheaper amusement? Ladies, Is 6(1; Gents.. 2s. Be in time—--8 p.m. sharp. For the week ended on Saturday the Westport Stockton Coal Company shipped 6017 tons 6 cwts. of coal. On the trotting track during the week end Denniston easily defeated Westport in a Rugby League fixture. In the first half Westport played oen man short. The scorers for Denniston were Thomas (3), G. Jack (2), J. Jack and Anderson. Bernard converted three and Buckley one.

After the representative hockey match last Saturday 11. Lockey and W. Atkin have been mentioned for the New Zealand team which is to tour Australia. Nominations close to-mor-row. Both these men played excellent games, especially Atkin, and there is every possibility of Buller being represented in the New Zealand team. On Wednesday the tug Mana will proceed to Wellington for overhaul. She will be in command of Captain Tointon. It is reported that a stop-work meeting was held at Denniston yestcr day concerning a dispute that has arisen at the mine. Owing to many country attractions, the Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade has decided to postpone its ball until some time in September. AH steps will lead to the Theatre Royal on July Ist, when a Ga-as-you-please ball will be held in aid of the Municipal Band. Owing to the great success of tin Village Variety Entertainers’ concert jin Victoria Theatre, the company intends to stage the same concert at Denniston and Millerton and possibly at Reef ton and again at Westport. . At Granity during the week-end Cosmopolitan Rugby team beat Stars by 3 to nil in a fast, evenly-contested game. The only try was scored by Shirty Hawes. In a good hard game, Rover third grade defeated Stars by 7 to 3. Rovers scored a try and a potted goal and Stars secured thebwoints from ? penalty. Westport third grade secured a win over_United by 8 to 3, and Technical School drew with Old Boys 3 all. Mr and Mrs Douthett have returned to Arthur’s Pass. Miss O. Khouri has arrived in Westport from Greymouth. Mrs Hazlett, who has been visiting Westport on holiday, left for Christchurch this morning. Mr Whiteside, who has been visiting his brother, left for Christchurch this morning. Mr 11. E. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, left for Wellington yesterday via Greymouth. Mr and Mrs Finlay, of Wellington, and formerly of Millerton, are at present on a visit to Westport. Mr 11. R. Young, consulting engineer to the Westport Borough Council, has returned from Christchurch. Mr Mahoney, Foreman of Works,

Railway Department, Greymouth, has arrived in Westport on official business Mr A. C. Bascand, Public Works Engineer, paid a visit to Ohika on an inspection of the road in that district. Mr W. Rosenberg, of Nelson, is at present in Westport. Mr W. L. Jones, of Ohakune, is on a visit to friends in the Buller district. Nurse Walshe left for Nelson yestcriday morning. Mr F. Grace left Westport yesterday

for Nelson. Mr and Mrs Mclntosh left for Greymouth this morning. The programme of- the successful Band Concert hold in the Victoria Theatre last Sunday was as follows:— Hymn, “Nearer my God to Thee”; selection, “Crown of Victory”: song. Mr Parsons; piano and violin duet, Mr and Miss Robertson; Male Voice Party, chorus; Mandoline Party, selection (Mr Parsons, s.s. Kaimanawa); a recitation, Mr J. Comerford; euphonium solo, “Kentucky Home.” Band (Mr E. Prout soloist); march, “Steady On,” Band; song, Mrs Turner; piano duet, Misses Bevan; vocal solo, “The Holy City,” Mr J. Lloyd; song, Miss Dudderidge; vocal duet, Misses Reece; selection by Bans, “Cornflowers and Poppies”; march, “True Comrades,” Band The Band items were well received, the favourite piece being the euphonium solo, “My Old Kentucky Home.” The soloist was Mr E. Prout; this with the Band acompaniment was really fine. The renderings of the Band showed proof of the capabilities of the present conductor, Mr Thompson, and it is but a matter of a very short time when the local Band will be back to its old status, A grade. The other instrumentalists who contributed were well received. The Misses Bevan, with their usual well finished style, delighted the audience with their pianoforte duets. Also a visitor from s.s. Kaimanawa, MiParsons,'contributed several fine mandoline items. Mr and Miss J. M. Robertson, with violin and piano, pleased the audience with their playing. The vocalists were Mr J. Cullen, who was in good form. Mr Lloyd proved himself a singer of no small ability. Miss Dud deridge, a newcomer to the local singers, delighted the audience with her songs. Altogether the programme was excellent throughout. Mr C. D. Betts, the Deputy Mayor, acted as Chairman, and returned’”.thanks on behalf of the Band to all wl>_ had so ably contributed to the eve* 1 ’ 4’s entertainment. He expressed tW hope that at some future date the Band would put on something on a bigger scale, and he felt sure that they would receive a full share of public support and patronage. The Hon. W. 11. Mclntyre left for Wellington this morning to attend the opening of Parliament on Thursday. Mr J. Curtis, Secretary-Manager of Westport Harbour, is visiting Wellington on Harbour business. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, has granted authority tQ spend the grant for Millerton streets exten sion in order to relieve unemployment at Millerton, and a party of nine men have completed two small contracts. Mr C. F. Schadick went to Millerton to-day to prepare plans and speciLcaItions for the Millerion to Westport mail; mine five foot track. The lug Mana proceeds to WeHingtC i to-morrow under command of Captain Toiaton for overhaul.