WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 26 March 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, March 25. Th water shortage lias been acute, even for the continued working of the mine the outlook has been serious. But the recent rain may the position. I note half page advertisements about Willys-Knight motors. Evidently, the. stock holds up, in spite of the fact that two went up in smoke on the Denniston track within a fortnight. In connection with the first of those, it might be excused if mention is made of how some people will take advantage of others misfortunes. The car 'was left on the track, after being disabled through, fire, and some unauthorised person or persons undertook to dismember what was left, and carry it away to a rendezvous un-« known. It is to be hoped that this does not become the “rule” of the road. In Westport during the last week, letters have been appearing in a local paper upon certain remits which it was stated had been sent from Westport to the Municipal Conference held in Nelson. Now we find Mr H. D. Bennett, one of the City Councillors in Wellington, giving the opinion that although these Municipal Conferences may be termed successful, still they have little or no effect upon the Government, and incidentally the question is asked, “Are they worth it ” Now if the City Councillor’s opinion can be relied on, there was quite a lot of ink spilled last week to no purpose. The occasion seemed to warrant a little publicity, as one of the remits said to be forwarded by the Westport Borough Council was in favour of raising- the water rate upon th e majority of workers, but if what is published by Mr IL D. Bonnett is correct we need not get excited, just yet. , Arising from the foregoing, it mi girt be advisable to look carefully into some arguments set forth by Mr P. J. O’Regan, and published in last Wednesday’s “Times and Star.” Mr O’Regan dubs the clause iu the Act which imposes the 10/- minimum in the water rate as “iniquitous. - ” That being so and the workers being the chief, I may say, the only sufferers, it is up to them to bring about such an agitation that the iniquity must be removed.

Welcome rain started at Denniston about 4 p.m. on Friday. It later became general and Westport received some, with a prospect of much more. Along the line as far as Seddonville. welcome showers prevailed. Once again Westport electors have decided that the candidate chosen to represent Labour in the Borough Council is not wanted there, Tom Parfitt being beaten by over 100 votes. There are a good many visitors in town for the races, and the tote turnover yesterday showed a distinct impfovemenft on that of last year. Prior to his meeting at Granity, Mr Holland met the members of the Granity Beautifying Society and Domain Committee and discussed with them the various matters connected with the domain. At the meeting Mr Dowgray presided and Mr Holland spoke for nearly two hours, his address being followed with the closest attention by his audience. His statement of the position in Samoa, and his declaration of his own attitude, which was of the Labour Party, was repeatedly applauded. A vote of thanks moved from the chair was carried by acclamation. The meeting was well attended, notwithstanding that a euchre tournamest was being held the same evening. It was explained, that when the meeting was arranged it was not known that the euchre party was to take place on the same date. Owing to a shortage of water in the lake, it was decided to shut down the electric light al midnight each night commencing on Saturday. This step became necessary owing to the phenominally dip spell experienced. There was a littl e over 5 feet of water in the lake on Friday, and the level dropped at the rate of five inches a day? Westport has held out well when it is compared with a number of North Island schemes which have had to close down some Time ago. The present curtailment demonstrates the necessity of a stand-by plant. A party of County Councillors consisting of the chairman, Mr J. H. Powell), the Hon W. H. Mclntyre, Cr M. McLean, the County Engineer, Mr C. P. Shadick. Mr W. Gourley and Mr T. McNabb made a. trip from Little Wanganui to Mt Radiant and thence on the Wanganui 'Saddle where they Were to have met representatives of the Waimea Conntv Council. The Waimea representatives did not turn up. Tt was proposed to hold a conference to urge upon the Government the necessity of completing the stock track.