WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 12 January 1928, Page 5

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, January 11. That it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good was exemplified on Monday night by the large and enthusiastic meeting of the Westport I Branch of the Westland Retail Shop I Assistants Union at which a discussion took place regarding the action of I seme members of the Shopkeepers f Association, in keeping their shops open I and their employees working on the Tecognisedl ‘weekly half holiday of I January sth. Members gave every credit to Messrs John Stowell and Frank O.’Gorman for closing their premises on that date. An analysis of the awards failed to disclose the reason for the non-closure, and a resolution was passed which should have the effect of bringing about a solution. At the same meeting a statutory resolution was passed calling for the prosecution of defaulters who will not meet their liabilities in the payment of dues. Members generally recognise their duties in this respect, but there are just a few who will take what they can get, in the shape of extra pay or better conditions, and in some cases absolutely refuse to pay a sum of 3d per week. An effort will therefore be made to get the opinion of a Stipendiary Magistrate upon the subject. The Union also kicked off as regards the annual tradesmen’c picnic. Heretofore Westport has not been entitled to a picnic day, and the shop assistants feel that they could enjoy such a day, and it would be the means of their becoming better acquainted. The females in the organisation will have an opportunity to assist. Ladies are always especially useful at these functions. It is too early to announce the time and place, as the day has to be fixed by mutual arrangement between the employers and the Union, but it is anticipated that the picnic will come off some time next month. A programme was arranged, and Commitees ■ set up, and there is a hope that the first picnic may be a great success. A wire was received by Mr Morgan to the effect that the picture which has just been taken of the Buller and Westport is being titled. This means the filling in of the descriptive portions. The Censor will then do his work and the film, it is hoped, will be “passed” by that august personage. Of course he could hardly do otherwise, as there could be nothing wrong about Westport.

The presence yesterday of the flag over the Post Office caused a good deal of excitement when it was realised that it was the signal that the aviators had left Sydney for New Zealand. Tn addition to the Post Office flag many other flags were flown. A good lookout was kept on the North Beach also. To-day there was universal regret at the absence of news from the airmen. George Mathewson, son of Mr and Mrs Mat Mathewson, of Leaver Settlement, has haj a leg amputated at the thigh, after having been an inmate of the District Hospital since the middle of December, suffering from swollen knee. Mr and Mrs Cartwright, Mr and Mrs Shand, Mr and Mrs Tarburton arrived on Monday from Canterbury, via Nelson, and are making a tour of the dist trict before leaving on return via Greymouth. Among those who have returned from Christchurch are Mr McCoy (Public Works, Tekuha), Mr McDonald (Granity), Miss A. Lee, Mr Campbell (Hector). The following, who arrived from Greymouth, have left for Nelson: Mrs Clark, Misses Dickinson, Patterson, Dement, Legge and Knight. Mr W. Hibbs, after a visit to his son, Mr Hibbs, Oparara, has returned to Southland. Air T. Jenkins, of the Railway staff, Southbridge, is here on a visit to his parents, of Gladstone Street. Air Todd, nightwatchman, left yesterday for Wellington. Air and Airs A. Gascoyne, of Dunedin, arrived from Wellington yesterday and proceed to Greymouth and Hokitika. Air and Airs Redward arrived on Afonday from Nelson on a tour of the Coast. Dr and Mrs Hall arrived from Nelson on Monday, and left yesterday for the South.

Air W. Moynihan, of the Valuation Department, Nelson, is visiting Westport. Air King (of Granity) has left for Greymouth. Alisses McGowan and Fitzpatrick arrived from Nelson on Monday, and left for Greymouth yesterday. Alisses Patterson, Dement, Legge and Knight arrived from Greymouth on Afonday, and left yesterday for Nelson. Airs He wart Brown and Miss Brown and Master Brown, who have been visiting friends at Granity, left yesterday for Waimate via Christchurch. Air Geo. Blair, of Burnett’s Face, who has been to Nelson, returned to Westport last evening. We hear a good amount of talk about a white Australian or a white' New Zealand. Is the following story likely to give an impetus to the movement $ Hotel workers reply. A pantry man of a certain hotel received the sack, through the spite of another employee, who had gained the ear of the boss. He was about to pack his dunnage, when the Chinese cook followed him out of the kitchen: “You sacke© Jack, you sackee me!” The Chinaman told the publican. The pantryman was told? to stay on. Last night, Ensign and Mrs. Bartlett, who have been in command of the local corps of the Salvation Army for the past 12 months were given a public farewell at the Citadel, before leaving Ensign Taylor presiding. Eulogistic speeches were made by Ensign Taylor, S.M. Stevens, Secretary Bird, Bandmaster'' Hatton, Captain Vince (Granity), Sergeant Mayor Taylor, and Treasurer Whiteside. Ensign Bartlett announced that I Envoy Taylor who had ably filled the position of Sergeant Major for 30 years was retiring honourably and his place would be filled by Brother Joe Morgan. The new- Ser-geant-Mayor was congratulated warmly. The Ensign said it was the sec-

ond time he was farewelled from Westport. Five years ago he was the assistant officer here. Twelve months worked here had only left him with the desire of doing a further 12 months. The spiritual had not had the visible result he desired but he believe 1 good seed had been sown. He praised the faithfulness' of Hie local officers to duty. The Bandsmen bad been loyal to their call Corps Cadet Brigade had increased 800 per eent, and the Life Saving Guards, was one of the best troops in the Dominion. He thanked the people of Westport for interest and support and he was leaving with pleasant memories. During the evening the Band played several items, and solos were given by Bandsman P. Alorgan, 1 Capt Vince, a quartette by Deputy Bandsman and Airs. Jackson, Aliss D. Bird and Brother J. Morgan; and a • humourous monologue by Brother Joe Alorgan. The meeting was ended by the singing of “Till We Alcet Again.’ Ensign Barlett and family letf yesterday by private' car for Christchurch, cn route to Dunedin where he has been transferred. Airs. Brown and two children, who have been visiting friends at Granity have returned to Christchurch. Mr. F. Lingard has been promoted to fill the vacancy on the Magistrate’s Court staff caused by the transfer of Air. J. Lindop to Auckland. Mr. Al. Foreman of Greymouth will join the staff. Sergeant AfcClone, w*ho is taking over the Westport station, will arrive here on Monday.

Air. AlcCoy, who has been on holiday ifi Chrstchurch, has returned Miss Nellie Deere is here from Greymouth on a visit to her brother T. Deere. Mr. A. Easton, who "has been spending a holiday with his people, ha returned to Deunedin. Mr Murray (Ngakawau) has returned from Christchurch. Departures yesterday included Mr. Henry, for Christcliureli. Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. 11. J. Jackson left for Tuatapere, Southland, to which place Mr. Jackson has been promoted as guard by the Railway Department. The previous evening Mr. Jackson was farewelled by the local staff, on behalf of whom Mr. A. Stevens (Stationmaster) presented Mr. Jackon with a travelling bag, an attache case, and eversliarp pencil and an entree dish for Mrs. Jackson. He said Mr. Jackson would carry with him the bqst wishes of the staff in Westport. He had been with the Westport branch for the past 15 oi 16 years and he had proved satisfactory in every respect. Although they were sorry at his departure, the ■ promotion was worth while and lie wished him every happiness and prosperity. Apart from the railway, Mr. Jackson had proved a good citizen and had interested himself in public affairs, especially the band and he was sure that he would be greatly missed in the tow(n as well as by his mates. Eulogistic speeches were made by Messrs Marshall, Jenks, Clark, . I • Ryan, Bryce, Hardie, A. W. S. Simpson. Mr. Jackson said he thanked them all for the very fine presents, and for the nice things they had said about him. He would always have pleasant memories of Westport. m stay here had been most enjoyable and in a way he did not want to go.