WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 27 March 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, March 26. The Jockey Club’s meeting was very well patronised, especially on Saturday, and the racing was much appreciated. The judgment of the public must have been fairly good, as dividends were not sensationally high. The Westport Jockey Club appears to the writer to be a thoroughly democratic institution. Its grounds, grandstand, etc, are the one price. There Jack is as good as his master, and Jill as good as the mistress. One does not have to stand outside an enclosed lawn and gaze upon a piece of femininity dressed up in a £2O or £3O gown, with about a £2OO array of, diamonds or other precious stones. Of course, the Club are doing their best for the public, and it is anticipated that improved seating accommodation on the stand will soon be provided. The tradesmen in Westport only partially carried out the agreement arrived at for a total close down from noon. There were some who kept open and employed no assistants, but there were a few who remained open and did employ assistants. The strangest case under notice is that of a pro tern official of the Business Men’s Association who lent his services to arrange for the close up of all business premises, and on Saturday remained open in the evening, with a notice in the window “Open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.” If the Inspector of Awards is at a loss to know who were open and employing shop assistants on Saturday night, he can be supplied with the information. On Sunday afternoon the Granity Band camo into Westport and rendered in fine style the following programme at the hospital: —March (Australian) cornet, solo (Australis) by 11. Bevan, hymn (Kyrie Elcison), overturn (Bohemian Girl), intermezzo (In a Monastery Garden), popular air (Thanks for the Buggy Ride), humorous variations on Keel Row, march (Old Comrades). If there is not better regulation of our street lighting, there will certainly lie something serious happening. On Sunday night the street lights were eon spicuous by their absence. Of late too some cyclists do not trouble to carry lights, and therefore the pedestrian, with eyes blinded from the glare of a motor car’s headlights, cannot see a bicycle, and is knocked over, a hospital case resulting. Notice has been given to conserve the power, but no notice has been given that it would be cut off altogether. If this were to continue, the curfew would have to be establish ed, and unfortunate pedestrians kept indoors after sunset. The town electric light went out at midnight on Sat urday, and did not come on again until 2 a.m. Last night there were no street lights. With heavy rain that Las fallen since the electric authorities decided to partially close down, it should surely be unnecessary to carry on with the curtailment. A deputation from the Buller A. and P. Association asked the Buller County (’ouncil for a donation, hut after a great 1 deal of discussion, the Council decided that it could not make a donation this year, but provision for a grant would be made in next year’s estimates. The Westport Coal Company shipped coal last week to the extent of 4646 tons 1 cwt; local sales 180 tons 16 cwt; coke, 4 tons 2 cwt. Total., 4830 tons 19 The heavy rain that has fallen has given good water for coal mining concerns in the Buller district that have been held up or hampered by lack of water, Old Cardiff, Flying Fox, and Cascade, for fluming. The Christchurch Ladies’ Golf Club. President. Mrs A. Boyle, on behalf of the members, made a presentation to Miss Mary Enright (form rly of Westport) of a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, and thanked Miss En-, right for her unfailing courtesy during: her period of office as Secretary. Miss Enright, to whom the presentation came as a surprise, thanked Airs Boyle and the members. The death took place at the residence of his son, Percy Perkins, carrier, of Queen and Bright Streets, on Saturday, of George Charles Perkins, at the ripe age of 92 years. Deceased passed away peacefully in his sleep. He was a na-i five of Clapham Common, England, and came to New Zealand. 62 years ago. He had been a resident of Westport for 60 years, and was the last survivor of the veterans of Ruehen Waite’s time. He had been a member of the Howard Lodge of Oddfellows since 1866, and was the oldest member in New Zealand. He returned from a visit to Nelson only five weeks ago. He is survived by five sons. Sidney, Percy and William (Westport), Ernest (Christchurch), and Fred (Invercargill).

The details of the voting in the borough bye-election last week (which should have been forwarded earlier) are as follows: —Air P. G. Bowster 334 votes. Air T. Parfitt 208 votes. It is significant of apathy that only 542 voted, of a total of 3000. Labour’s nominee lost by 126 votes, and it is strange in a Labour constituency, represented in Parliament by the Leader of the Labour Party, that such a lack of interest in local affairs is manifest. What can others think of our (that is, the Labour Party’s) organisation. It must be thoroughly understood that Mr Parfitt was the nominee of the Westport Branch of the Labour Party, his nominators having been a past President and President-Secretary of the branch. Mr Parfitt left himself at the service of the branch, not asking for nomination, but. willing to serve. He was 11( ‘f totally unknown, as had been alleged upon a former occasion; he is a member of the Progress League, the State School Committee, and the Technical High School Board of Governors, and a particularly live member of each, never failing to champion the cause of the worker, it needed. The number of votes given tor Mr Parfitt must have been less than the number of the branch’s members ami affiliations. It may bo said that this is a wail of your correspondent, but Mr Parfitt came from Wales. One lady friend, who has a big hole alongside her section (sufficient to drown her younger children, when the rains come) has gorse growing in dangerous proximity to the fence; and has no footpath, and no sewerage, and who, although paving a rate for it, cannot afford electric light, was asked to go to the booth and vote. “Can’t be bothered,” she

said. The Union Company boats loading here this week-end are:—Tuesday, Kartigi for Auckland; Wednesday, Ixomata for Wellington; Thursday, Poolta for Gisborne ami Auckland; Saturday or Monday, 2nd April, Opihi for Bluff and Dunedin; Alon day, 2nd April. Kaponga for Wellington. Air J. W. Shanks is laid up at the result of a cycling mishap. Another cycle ridden by a youth touched his Wheel and brought Mr Shanks down for a nasy fall. He sustained concussion and temporary loss of memory and. facial injuries, and is likely to be in bed for a few days. ‘On Saturday the “Stipe,” Air San-1 ililands, in the first trot, fined eight competitors for not being correctly

dressed, or having untidy gear. Aliss Clarice Hargreaves, whose marriage is shortly to take place to Mr Jack Stowell, Secretary of Westport Boxing Association, was made the recipient of a crystal bowl by Air Lovell and staff, when severing her connection with the firm. Air Al. J. Fogarty, of Grey mouth (Secretary of Greyniouth Jockey Club) was a visitor for the race meeting. Air O. Haddock, a prominent. Petone bowler, lootbailer and boxer, has taken up his residence in Westport. Air T. E. Coates, owner of several horses taking part in the races, was present at the meeting. Air AV. Farr, caretaker of the Westport bowling green, has accepted the position of caretaker of the bowling green at Lyell Bay, and left for Wellington by the Komata. Miss K. McGrath and Miss H. AleDonagh have left for AVellington, where they will take up school appointments. Nurse AL Spring, formerly Plunket nurse at Westport, and now stationed at Greyniouth, is visiting friends in West port. Mr G f ladstone attended t)ie race meeting as Totalisator Inspector. Air E. W. Spencer, general manager of N.Z. Consolidateds, Ltd i Reefton, was a visitor for the races, at. which his horses competed. Detective Murch has been a visitor over the week-end, also Messrs J. Adamson (Hokitika), W. Whooten (Christchurch). Ashton (Greyniouth). Airs Walsh, of Peel Street, is visiting Hokitika. Mr W. Newman, of White Star service, Westland, has been a visitor from Hokitika, also Air H. T. Parry. Alisses Todd and Harrison left by the Komata on holidays. Airs Bowden, senr, of Queen Street, has left for Christchurch on a holiday, trip. Airs Jeffries, who has been visiting friends in Westport, has returned to Christchurch. HOSPITAL AFFAIRS. At a meeting of the Buller Hospital Board, the Medical Superintendent (Dr P. L. Foote) reported as follows: Patients admitted during the month, males 20, females 12; Discharged, males 16, females 7; died males 3, females 2; remaining at end of month, males 27, females 27. He reminded the Board of the following requirements:— Out-patients theatre, padded room, diathermy .{ipparatus,. painting nurses’ block, duty rooms, sanitary blocks and ward pantry. The Chairman, Secretary, and Air Caldwell wore appointed a sub-co’nimit-too to confer with the doctor and matron as to the advisability of engaging an extra nurse. For the year 192728 £145 2s was paid out in extra nursing. T'he matron reported five student nurses would ho candidates for the June State examinations, and stated < ookery classes would be required for which the Director of Technical School was arranging. The Alastcr of the Old People’s Home, reported that there had been throe admissions and three dis-

charges. There were 15 remaining in the homo, 14 males and 1 female. In January the poultry produced eggs to the value of £l6 12s and in February £l2 12s 6d. He wished to purchase a breeder’s, pen and half a dozen of last year’s breeding fowls, and one white Leghorn cockerel. The request for the breeder and fowls was granted and it

was also decided to have the home painted and to secure three now tables. The secretary’s report stated receipts since the beginning of the financial year amounted to £16,100 3s 6d and expenditure £16,386 16s sd, leaving a debit of £298 12s lid. The anftunts due were: Government subsidy £lO2O 5s Id: interest £54 0s 6d; Denniston Hospital £1155 16s 2d; estimated receipts old age pension £35; fees £l5O. The credit balance at the end of the year would therefore be approximately £llOO if all monies arc to hand, but subsidies on account of the Denniston Hospital cannot be to hand by 31st inst. It was now apparent that the year will close £5OO to £6OO better than anticipated some time ago. Owing to the unsatisfactory state of the Denniston finances, it was decided that the chairman and secretary shold visit Denniston. The Alatron of the new maternity ward reported that two patients were in the hospital and quite a number had booked up for the last week of the month and for the month of April. Karamea, Denniston and Stockton Aledical Associations, accepting liability at half rates for members treated in Christchurch hospital after Alarch Ist. —Received. Karamca Aledical Association, giving details of financial position further to an application for a gant of £lOO. — Resolved to ask Karamca Association for detailed financial position. * The Association was not to assume that £lOO would be granted annually. Millerton Aledical Association, asking the Board to pay part of thd expense of a patient admitted to Otaki Sanatorium. — The Chairman said this was Alillerton Association’s liability, not. this Board’s. Westport Jockey Club, requesting that the Ambulance be available on race days, 24th and 26th inst. —Granted. Grey Hospital Board, forwarded decision of recent conference in regard to arrangement with 'Timber Workers’ Union in regard, to fees of its members. —lt was decided to adopt the recommendation of £1 per annum per month less 5 per cent for collection. Geb. Blair, applied for holidays due and extra week.—Granted, the extra week without pay. The following Visiting Committee was appointed:—Messrs Caldwell and Griffiths. A report presented to the Buller County Council stated it was understood the Westport-Groymouth Coast Road has been recommended for the Alinister’s approval as a subsiduary Alain Highway, and that the Waimangroa Burnett’s Face and. Granity-Stock-ton roads have not been recommended. 'Phis was unfortunate, and the Council should bring the matter before the Alain Highway Board, when it visits this district in April, and do its utmost to get them declared Alain Highways. Cr Alclntyre moved that the Council go into the question with the Alain Highways Board as to the advisability of raising a loan for a bitumen road through Granity. Cr Hawes: “Who will have to pay the niterest, on the road?” Cr Alclntyre: “We will have to pay one-fourth.” Cr Hawes considered that the road should be started from the Borough boundary and gradually work out. Cr McLean. “This is not a question of spending money, but saving money.” The Chairman considered that the work at Granity was a good idea. Cr Niven said that there was a good deal of traffic between Granity and Ngakawau. The motion was seconded and carried, and t'he engineer ’s report •> ?ntcd.