BLACKBALL NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 23 June 1927, Page 8

BLACKBALL NOTES.

(Out Own ‘Correspondent). A Roa miner named Green suffered a compound fracture of the left leg whilst'employed at the coal face in the Roa Mine on June 21st. After being made as comfortable as possible by Dr Roy, the suffefer was removed in the ambulance van to the Grey River Hospital. A pair of Roa miners had a big fright when they broke into some old workings which contained a considerable accumulation of water. Neediest to say, their sprinting abilities were fully tested. The water in question caused a wash-out on one of the main jigs. The Blackball Mine was idle on the day of the Westland v. Canadian Soccer match. A large number of workers did not agree with the management ’b attitude. “Marietto” was shown to a full house at Blackball, and the takings were satisfactory. 'lT>e bill of fare tendered was above the average. M. E. Page, /H.M., of Wellington, made a tour of inspection of the black damp section of the Blackball Mine, and saw something of the conditions existing. Weddings arc the order at Blackball at present, the latest. BlackbaHil.es to take the leap being Mr A. McDonald, jun., and Mr Jack ITastie. Mr Jim Menuhin, of Roa, has joined the ranks of the car owners.

Blackball- League football fans journeyed- to Runanga in large numbers on Sunday last, returning with the view that, the Black and Whites have the Indian sign on the locals. The last span of the BlackballNgahero Bridge is now nearing completion. The structure now looks as if it wil resist any amount of Hood waters. Blackball and Runanga Soccerites witnessed a good go at Blackball. The locals were somewhat fortunate to secure both points, and Runanga played a man short throughout. Bond, formerly of Sunnyside and Blackball, turned out for tho visitoTs, and rendered good service. Blackball Seniors are trying out Douglas, a junior, who has built tfp a good reputation as a sharp-shooter. A large number from Blackball saw Westland defeat Canada, and a still larger number are going to Christchurch on July 2nd for the Test match. Surplus workers minus any of the wealth they have helped to produce continue to arrive in this district in the hope of securing a job. Yet there are plenty of workers who still make the stupid statement that anyone who wants a job can get one. About the only vacancies at present existing arcon the rock pile. What is wrong -with the Star “fireeater”? He hasn’t mentioned the Communists now for a whole week. Surely he hasn’t read some Communist literature and become converted! The Blackball Miners’ Union decided at its last general meeting to accept the invitation of the Labour Party to affiliate, on condition that there is no exclusion or discrimination against Communists. A cable of protest against the carrying out of the sentence imposed by the American Courts on Saccho and Vanzetti has been forwarded by the New Zealand Miners and the New Zealand Labour Party. It is stated that plans and specifications are now well forward for the new Miners’ Hall. Mr J. Watson, formerly mine managei at Blackball, and a member of the Commission of Inquiry into the Dobson disaster, was a recent visitor, along with his wife, renewing old Blackball a<> quaintances.

The veil of 'mystery has been now lifted in connection with the new building being erected by Mr Robt. Colquhoun. I understand the owner intends running an up-to-date drapery establishment with one or two attractive side lines. Being an old resident of Blackball, the new firm will probably receive a fair share of patronage. There is going to be keen competition in the carting business in the very near future. Waiting for a load of coal is soon going to be a thing of the past. Mr Jim Kerr is reported to be importing a new up-to-date lorry. Mr Lythgoe, the Electric Power Board’s Engineer, has been a Blackball visitor quite frequently lately. He is very anxious to see the Blackball streets lit up, and so are-the residents. The various insurance companies are starting to squeal about the number of accidents in the mines—looking at it, one supposes, from a profit and loss point of view, and mainly the profit view. Tho Grey County Council have filled up the potholes in our main sidewalk, for which the citizens tender many thanks. The friends of Mr Joe Williams will regret to learn that he is again confined to his bed, and that his condition is causing considerable concern.