WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1927, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(Our Own Correspondent.)

WESTPORT, November 28.

It is regrettable to record the severe accident which happened to Mr “ Billy” Walton during the demonstrations at Denniston on Saturday. Mr Walton is no stranger to Westport, and being such an ardent fireman, makes the incident all the more regrettable. It is to be. hoped he will make a speedy recovery. Mr Walton is a brother-in-law to Capt. W. Earl, of the Westport Harbour staff. Dr Menzies (Denniston) and Dr Foot (Westport) attended to his injuries. The U.S.S. Coy’s steamer Waipahi, which arrived on Saturday on her maiden voyage to this port, was built at Holsden-on-Tyne in 1925, and is a vessel of 240 ft length, 37 ft beam, and 23 ft depth of hold. Her tonnage i.s 1019 net and 1783 gross, engines 134 i.h.p. Her hull is painted white, instead of the usual black. She is commanded by Captain Gray. According to Smith’s Weekly of a date prior to the last election, this journal was convinced that running elections is much the same all the world over. To wit: ‘ 1 They realised that Labour could not hope to hoodwink the Christian Churches on this occasion, if it. were generally known that the Communist bosses were teach ing children that religion was dope, and such a thing as a Deity did nor exist. ’ ’

The Legislative Assembly is reported to have reinstated in the Shops and Offices Act the section providing tea money for shop girls who arc called upon to work overtime. This evidently would lead to the belief that there were more humanitarians in the Upper House of Parliament, but it might also denote that the M.L.C.’s have a greater knowledge of the industrial situation, and how some of the regulations are carried out. It is easy to make the provision in an Act of Parliament, but it is another matter to have them carried out. There is a similar provision in most Arbitration Court Awards, but we have not heard of many cases where they are carried out.

Mr Gus Webster, son of that old resident near the Domain who passed to the majority many years ago, is visiting Westport, after a prolonged absence, just to see the old home. Mr Webster claims to be the first white child born in Reefton. He wa« bora on the sth October, 1877.

Apparently London’s politicians and statesmen were much perturbed by the failure of the electric light in the House of Commons last week. It is stated that members had to strike matches to enable debates to proceed. Evidently politicians do not relish

speaking in the dark, though the people may be still in the dark when they have finished speaking. The Coast appears to be inundated with theatrical shows just now. and whether the time is propitious is a moot point. The wage-earning peopl? are generally holding a bit tightly to their halfpence, in anticipation of Christmas, and they consider the matter from all points before parting up. However, it’s hard if a good show cannot do well for a couple of nights. Miss Jackson, of Greymouth, who has been on a holiday visit to her people, of Adderly Street, returns to Greymouth to-day.

Mr J. Lee, representative of South Island Motors, who has bean on a short business visit to Westport, left for Greymouth on Friday evening. Mrs O’Neill (nee Miss Maud Ryan) returned from Ireland last week, and is at present visiting her sister. Mis Lyrian Warne, at Murchison. She is accompanied bv her 18-months-old

Miss Murray, the Plunket nurse will be away in Karamea from Mon day until Friday.

Mrs Hardie, proprietrix of the Ikamatua Tea Rooms, who has been visiting Westport, has returned home.

Mr and Mrs C. S. Beilby left by private car on Saturday for Christchurch. travelling via Nelson, Blenheim and Kaikoura. While in Christchurch, Mr Beilby will attend the Masonic Grand Lodge Communication.

Dr E. D. Dunn leaves for Christchurch to-day to attend the annual meeting of the Masonic Grand Lodge

Mr Frank Wood leaves for Hokitika to-day, en route to Christchurch, to attend the Masonic Installations.

Athletics—Despite the postponements, there was a good attendance at the Westport Athletic and Cycling Association’s evening meeting last Friday. The races provided sonic good contests and the cycling events produced a coming chamjiion in Fred Atkinson. Although he has only recently taken on the wheel sport, he made a great impression last evening and several officials consider that he will make a nauie for himself before long. If he carries on as he has started, he should make a good showing in the big Tiniaru to Christchurch road race next year. The results are as follows.— Boys’ Race, 120yds, 12 to 16 years — R. Weenik 1, L. Mason 2. Boys Race, 75yds,—A. Deere 1, J. Sutherland 2. 75yds Flat—lst heat. C. Jones 1 E. Hatton 2. Also started: O’D-a. J. Connelly. 2nd. heat: A. Levy 1, C. Kearns 2. Also started 11. Farr. Final A. Levy, C. Jones 2, E. Hatton 3. Also started <'. Kearns. .Won by a yard and a foot. 11 Miles Cycle—F. Atkinson (25yds) I, V. Caldwell (190yds) 2, J. Caldwell (140yds) 3. Also started Lindop (scr), Mulquees (225yds). Atkinsoi made no race of this. Mulqueeu dropped out in the third lap end Lindop in the fourth. V. Caldwell beat J. Caldwell by a quarter of a wheel for second place. 120yds Flat —Ist. heat: C. Kearns 1. 11. Farr 2. 2nd heat. E. Hatton 1. J. Connelly 2. A . Lovy 3. Also started: C. Jones, O’Dea. Final J. Connelly 1, E. Hatton 2, 11. Farr 3. Won by a yard with inches separating second and third. 3 Mile Cycle—F. Atkinson (30 n - ’ • 1, J. Caldwell (190yds) 2, V. Caldwell (200yds) 3. Also started: Lindop (scr). Soon after the start Atkinson and J* Caldwell made the pace

and on entering the home run Caldwell went ahead, but Atkinson spurted and went on to win by five yards. Lindop dropped out in the seventh lap.