WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 29 March 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, March 28. Mrs E. Shrives has a replace advertisement on this page which will repay perusal. The hot weather is over, and very shortly topcoats and furs will be welcomed. Mrs Shrives has them, and no old stock either. Country residents will find that they will receive full value, and no rubbish be palmed off on them. Her natty little shop is directly opposite Taylor Enright’s. The United Friendly Societies’ dance and card party was a huge success on Monday night. In the euchre competition, Mrs Brewer was Ist, and Mrs P. Anderson 2nd for the ladies, while Mr P. Anderson was Ist and Mr L. Pain 2nd for the gents. Mr A. Thurlow annexed the forty-fives prize. It will not be long now before these favourite social events are in regular running once more. Jubilees and Diamond Jubilees have been in vogue of late, and not the least of these was one held in Sydney at the Observatory in January 23rd last. On that date was exhibited the first electric light shown in Australia, and exhibited in 1868. The light was invented by a Mr G. A. Kopsch, and is now in the possession of his son, Mr C. F. G. Kopsch, of Hunters Hill. The father was the chief mechanic in the Sydney Post Office, when he fashioned the light, and the exhibition at the time aroused

widespread interest. The son. had the distinction of assisting to lay the first cable connecting London with Paris. He and his father took part in installing the first 200 telephones in Sydney. Mr Friend left Westport yesterday for Hokitika. Mr N. J. Gallagher left for Christchurch yesterday. Sister Lahore, of Reefton, is visiting Westport. Detective Black, racecourse detective, left, for Greymouth yesterday. Mr and Mrs H. R. Young left for Christchurch to-day. Mrs Mason and two children have left Westport for Blackball, where Mrs Mason will take up her residence. Miss Adelino Ward has been appointed a relieving teacher on the staff of the Westport Primary School, and will commence her duties next week. Messrs Mathias, Neville (2), Anderson and Tapper left Westport for Greymouth yesterday. Miss Neill left Westport for Reefton yesterday. Miss E. Walshc has left on her return to the Lyell- I Mr Shroud or left on return to Richmond yesterday. Mr Collins arrived in Westport yesterday, and left to-day for Nelson. Miss M,arris left for Christchurch to- ' Recent heavy rain has provided a good <le.!il of water for Westport’s hydro-electric scheme. There is now 8 feet 6 uielies of water in the lake, and the restriction on the use of the lights has now been lifted. The street lights were on the full time last night... and there seems little chance of the restriction being imposed again. Detei'tive Murch arrested Ernest Robert [Wright in connection with the recent ’theft of jewellery from Mrs

Paseoefs house, and Wright appeared before Mr W. T. Slee, J.P., and was charged that on 22nd and 28th, at Westport, Im did break and enter the dwelling hofse of Lily Usler Paseoe by day and sttkil therefrom one gold watch, one cameo locket, two gold bangles and one pair of pinceuez, of a total value of £33. A remand was granted until next Court day.

The Main Highways Board comes to Westport on April 17th, and its local programme thereafter is as follows: — Wednesday, April 18th: Westport to Karamea, return to Westport; Thursday, April 19th. Westport to Nelson; Friday, April 20th: Nelson to Takaka, return to Nelson. The Organiser of the Progress League has written suggesting the afternoon of April 24th as a suitable date and time for the conference between the members of the Board and representatives of Canterbury local authorities on the loading policy for Canterbury. PROGRESS LEAGUE.

A meeting of the Buller Progress League took place at the Town Hall on Tuesday, Mr G. Martin in the chair. Correspondence was read as under:— Form League to Minister of Public Works re track to Brighton Caves; from same to Tourist Department for return of certain pictures (a reply asking that they be left with the Department was received); from same to Minister of Marine re Harbour matters; from same to Stockton Management thanking for £5 donation; same to Tourist Department re an agency in Westport. A reply that Mr W. T. Slee was now appointed was received. The Chairman stated that Mr Slee had quite a lot of literature but nothing about Buller. The matter would' want attention. Reefton County Clerk wrote re Maruia Springs and access thereto, asking League’s assistance for the various items enumerated. Consideration was deferred. Marlborough Progress League considered that May Ist would be a. suitable date for Progress Leagues’ Conference. There was a telegram from the Premier to Mr H. E. Holland re ■dredging on bar, stating Mr Furkert was investigating; also a wire from Mr Holland to the League re his interviojv with the Prime Minister at Greymouth. The Minister of Marine advised that the Esplanade was within the Borough boundary, who had sole control. Outward correspondence was approved and inward received and dealt with. In reference to leaving the pictures in the hands of the Tourist Department, Mr Parfitt thought that they would l|e a useful advertisement if left with the Department. Mr Parker said the original idea was to form a collection, lodged in the Town Hall, for future exhibitions. Mr Betts said they might be loaned to the Department, and shift, ed around to different offices. Mr Betts moved that the Publicity Committee report upon the matter on the lines ho had suggested. There were eight photos, which cost the League about £2O. This was amended by a suggestion that the Department get duplicate copies of the pictures, so that other centres could be supplied. Mr Parfitt moved that the League make the Tourist Department a gift, and ask that duplicate pictures be taken and circulated among offees of the Department. This was seconded by Mr De Tourettes, and carried.

In connection with the Maruia Springs, the League decided to support all efforts to make the means of access better, and also to make the Springs safer for the future. This was carried, on the motion of Mr Betts, seconded by Mr De Tourettes. As regards the alleged neglect of the South Island in the tourist traffic, it was resolved that the Dunedin Progress League be asked to frame a remit for presentation at the Conference. It was decided t.o approach the Railway Board asking for concessions to Progress League delegates, travelling to the Conference on May Ist, the result to be ,’orwarded to the Leagues concerned.

Mr Parker gave a verbal report of an interview with Mr Wilson, of tho Tourist Department, summing up the matter with the opinion that Mr Wilson was a jolly good fellow. A discussion upon the dredging took place, and a statement was made that considerable improvement has ‘taken place since the Eileen Ward started. (A Member: Don’t ask the Marine Department to start tho Maui, or they will stop the Eileen!) It was a fact, admitted the Chairman, that after the Prime Minister said the bar was normal, boats still went out short loaded, i Conversationally, members of the League remarked that tho Government were convinced that the Eileen Ward must be put to work on the bar. It was eventually moved by Mr Parker, seconded by Mr Betts, that the Secre-tary-Manager, Westport, of the Marine Department be asked what the intention is in regard to the bucket dredge Maui. This was carried with two dissentients. Mr W. Sherlock mentioned that the fiftieth anniversary of the State School was approaching, and if the League would support the Jubilee Celebration movement, it would be a social move in the right direction. Mr Parfitt said the School Committee were gathering the requisite information. The League expressed itself favourably, and the School Committee is to be so informed. The Chairman moved that the road be kept clear at the top of McPaddon’s Hill, the County to be written to on the subject. This was carried. As to the Esplanade, it was decided to refer the Marine Department’s letter to the Borough Council, and reply for next meeting. Carried.