WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 13 January 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, January 12. Wcstportonians, in common with the rest of New Zealand, awoke yesterday morning with a sense of disappointment and sorrow at the presumed non-success of the flight from Australia to N.Z.. Until Tuesday night there seemed little interest, but when the numerous rumours began to circulate, groups of citizens were wendnig their way to the North Beach. The stacks of ironbark timber along the railway line leading to the beach were fully taken up with watchers, of whom some would “see” the plane and then lose sight of her. It was wonderful how many fancied they could discern a light, travelling from seaward towards the beach, where a huge bonfire had been lighted, and burned brightly unfil two or three o’clock in the morning. The false nows broadcasted that the plane had landed 20 miles north of Wellington raised people to a state of enthusiasm, and when it was repeated it was considered that success was assured. Later again, this was contradicted through N.Z. channels, but hope was not entirely dissipated when it was reported that she was just coming over Poriura, and would be landed in five minutes. Anxiously awaiting the expiry, nothing but sorrow and disappointment resulted. With many others, we trust that the intrepid airmen may be safe, and may be restored to their loved ones. By the look of things, since the Judge’s decision in the Greycliffe disaster, it is a good thing to be a member of a Union. Although the Merchant Service Guild may sound better to the ear, it is all the same a Union, and, from appearances, it is out to do all it can for one of its members, who in the aforesaid judgment has been put. in a. tight place. That is what can be

expected, or what is the good of a Union which will not fight for its members. There appears one aspect of the question which requires some explanation. The Guild holds, and submits theories to back up the statement, that the Tahiti has been found guilty of performing an impossibility. If so, why. in the name of Providence, did not the Guild intervene earlier. Prevention is better than cure, and even «t‘ they do not succeed in saving their member, it. would have been better if he had never required saving. . The following applications wore granted at a sitting of the Warden’s Court, before Mr W. Meldrum, Warden: —Ralph Transvaile Bardley, residence site, Millerton; George Avery, special site Britannia and two water races at Britannia (for two years); Edward Carr, special sea beach claim, four acres at Waratea River; William Ives, surrender of lease, Waimangaroa; Richard Cuthbert, renewal of lease, Hector. Several directors of the Cascade Coal Mine made a tour of inspection, going up from Denniston and down the fluming. Misses Farr, Mcßae, Isitt and Riddell, after attending a camp just out of Christchurch., have returned to Westport.

Mr Kingston, chief engineer of the dredge Maui, who has been on«a three weeks’ holiday to Gisborne, has returned to Westport. Mr Dick, who has been relieving him, has returned home. Mr Mclntyre, lately transferred from the Railway Department here to Christ -i church, has returned to Westport to recuperate, after a motor accident. He received facial abrasions and a broken collar bone. Miss A. McLaughlin, of Wellington, is on a visit to Mr and Mrs J. C. Brown. Mrs Rose and daughter arc spending a holiday with Mrs Rose’s mother at Greymouth. Mrs E. McCormack, of Wellington, formerly of Granity, arrived by the 'Komata on a visit to her sister, Mrs M. H. Reedy. ! Mr' J. O’Gorman, of Wellington, aci companied by his daughter, is on a visit to his mother, Mrs J. O’Gorman. Mr G. Pullar, after a holiday at Nelson, returned to Burnett’s Face. Mrs Satchell and Miss Satchell left to-day on return to Hastings. Misses Tozer left Nelson for Grey-

mouth to-day. . | Mr Goulding, of Ngakawau, arrived from Richmond last evening with five calves, four heifers and one bull (Jersey breed), all high class stock, brought by motor lorry from Nelson breeders, for Messrs D. Kerr (Granity), Goulding Bros (Ngakawau) and Winsett (Sergeant’s Hill). Messrs R. Sunley and J. Curtis tn Monday secured an interesting geological specimen at McKenna’s Creek. They broke a boulder in the creek bed, and on either pieces of the stone there was the distinct imprint of a fern. The rock evidently was a very old sedi-

mentary product. Twenty-one boys of St John s Troop of Westport Scouts returned yesterday from a successful ten days’ camp at Sergeant’s Hill, under Scoutmaster Sunley and Assistant Scoutmasters Curtis anil Hardie. I Mr I’. J. O’Regan, solicitor, Wellinglon, accompanied by his son Con, who is also a solicitor, arrived in town yesterday, and later, accompanied by Mr 11. E. Holland, left for Denniston, where Mr O’Regan had some legal business. Mr Con O’Regan represented the N.Z. Universities in the Rugby visit to Australia, and also represented Wellington in its most important fixture.,. Mr O’Regan recently sat for the final of his'LL.B, degree. The following passengers arrived from Wellington 'by the Komata last evening:—-Messrs Tiplady (3), Bucknell, Rodgers, Beltzman, Foster, Elsmore, Jenkins, Wright, Callaghan (2), Fayne, Jones, Webster, Hutchens, | Lowther (4). Stack; Mesdames White land child, Hutchens and 2 children,

Chew and chijd,. Morgan and two children, Callaghan, Webster, Jones, McCormack, Jenkins, Hill and two children; Misses Wilson, McLaughlan, Webster, Thornton. Misses Swan (2), of Denniston, left for Timaru this morning. Mr Brown, Inspector of Machinery, is visiting Westport. Parry, of Bladstone Street, left for Christchurch to-day. Mrs Friend returned last evening from the North Island. Miss Bolton, who has been visiting Mr and Mrs G. Parkhouse, leaves today for Christchurch. Miss Balfield, who attended a camp at Geraldine, is visiting relatives at Wellington and Wanganui. Mr and Mrs Donald McLean, of Napier, arrived yesterday on a visit to Mr and Mrs 11. C. McLellan, of Queen Street. BOROUGH COUNCIL. A meeting of the Borough Council was held on Wednesday evening. Present: His Worship the Mayor Crs J. M. Robertson, Bradley. Brown, Radford, Wilson.

Correspondence was received from the Athletic and Cycling Association, asking for remission of 25 per cent.," as the Christmas Meeting resulted in a loss. The Westport Swimming Chib wrote asking leave to hold a swimming carnival.—Granted. E. and H. Morgan applied for renewal of license. —Granted. The Fire Board reported inadequate /pressure of water at different points of the town.—Referred back to Fire Board for further information. The Nelson Road Garden Association wrote asking for payment of postage.—Resolved that borough do not intend to further subscribe. The Libraries’ Association notified date of conference.—Held over. The Gas Institute gave notice of conference meeting.—Gas Manager gizen leave to attend, if he desires to do so. The Public Trust wrote re sinking fund upon overdue mortgages.—Received. The A.M.P. wrote re Gas Works loans, stating that the matter will be referred to Board, also stating that loans have been granted at 6 per cent, interest and 1 per cent, sinking fund —Referred to Finance Committee for report. I he Public Works Department wrote re motor vehicles bye-laws.—Received with approbation; copy of letter to be sent to J. J. Maloney. The Local Government Loans Board wrote re loan, advising that when necessary details have been carried out, particulars will be forwarded to General Purposes Committee. The Postmaster-General wrote declining a, reduction in telephone rates. Reports.—The Overseer’s report was read and received. The Gas Manager’s report showed an increase in consumption on the corresponding month of last year. The Electrical Engineer’s re-

port, covering a. year’s operations, showed considerable increases, the total consumers to date being 409. The Abattoir Manager’s report showed an increase in cash of £l4 7s. A discussion upon the cleaning of the Swimming Bath resulted in the Council deciding the baths be cleaned out at least once a week. The Health Inspector wrote re infringement of by-law, asking Council to take proceedings against alleged offenders. It was agreed to request Mr Morgan to furnish an explanation to the Council. An invitation to His Worship the Mayor to attend the Jubileoe ai Greymouth was received. His Worship quoted the programme, and stated that he found it impossible to attend on the 29th, as he had already agreed to be in Wellington on that date.—lt was suggested to communicate with the Committee upon those lines. The following Committees’ recommendations were approved:—

Finance Committee.—That the Town Clerk *s letter to the Public Trustee of the 17th December, in regard to mortgages in the Council’s sinking funds, be endorsed. That with refence to IL. £5OOO and £2500 Gasworks Loans fall- , ing due in April next, that the Town Clerk approach the A.M.P. Society for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Society is prepared to advance a loan for the redemption of the above loans, less sinking fund on the due date, and to inquire as to the terms the Society is prepared to lend the money. That the Town Clerk ascertain from the pr •- sent debenture holders in the £2OOO Gas Loan whether they are prepared to r' new the debentures held by them in tne new redemption loan, less sinking fund accrued. Works Committee.—That the letter

from Mrs Lory-Thompson, with reference to the state of the footpath at Bmtoul Street, be received. That with reference to the requisition of various ratepayers regarding the asphalting of Wakefield Street, that the matter b; held over in the meantime, and to be considered early in the new year. General Purposes Committee.—That with reference to the remit proposed by the Stratford Borough Council that all receipt forms required by municipalities be requisitioned for through Audit Office, that this Council cannot see its way clear to support same. That the Town Clerk be granted leave to attend the Conference of Town Clerks in March next, and that the Council pay ■iis expenses travelling and otherwise in connection with same. That the Buller Cricket Association be granted the use of Victoria Square on December 30th for a cricket match, and that permission be granted to make a charge at the gate on the usual conditions, also that the Association be granted the use of the mower to cut the grass and to make the cricket pitch, under th j supervision of the caretaker. That the ’ Carnival Committee be granted permis-

sion to hold a fireworks display on Victoria Square on Wednesday evening. Dc’-emuci 2Rlh. That the application of the Amalgamated Pictures to hold a picture entertainment in Victoria Theatre on Sunday evening, December Sth, be declined. That Mr P. Egan be granted permission to erect two kerbside pumps on the footpath in front of his parage, Palmerston Street, on compliance with the conditions for installation. That the payment of salaries and wages on December 24th be antiiorised. That the caretaker, Victoria .Square, lie given written instructions to clean up the grass already mown on the playing area, and to remove Hie tufts of grass from the corners of the cycle track.