WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1928, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From pur Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, August 25. The reply given by Sir Franc’s Bell to the deputation concerning the Wess port Harbour was not by any means satisfactory. The statement that the Cabinent was considering the question of appointing a Resident Engineer only emphasises the go-slow policy of his Department. With the data supplied •in Engineer should have been appointed long ago; and the remark that the Government cannot be blamed for the silting of th bar only displays Departmental ignorance on the subject. The majority of Westport residents attribute the condition of the harbour to neglect in the past. When the Hon Mr Anderson told a Westport audience that the British Admiralty bad its eye upon Westport Harbour, and no deterioration would be allowed to take place, he must have had his tongue in his cheek. The “New Zealand Worker” has started upon another period of useful ness. after nearly 18 years of uphill work, during which it has achieved won dors for the workers. Congratulations to the “Worker.” The printing now

is good, and the matter contained in this week’s issue should commend itself to all interested in the industrial and political life of the Dominion. An appeal is made to those to whom its columns have always been open. The “Gag” used to be always telling Henry to “got off his own too.” Westport workers could scarcely find a more profitable investment for the humble “thrum” than buying the “Worker” weekly.

Despite the inclement weather, there was a large attendance at the English Literature Class in St Andrew’s Manse •>n Thursday evening. Rev A. Miller lectured on William Cowper (17311800), wlio'-o poetry marks the passage between art’ll ria linn and naturalr.-m in our Englis’. literature. It is characterised by love of Nature and all forms of life. Readings from the works of Cowper were given by various members of the class. and much enjoyed. At the close, Professor Hunter briefly their interest in an extension of the addressed the class, seeking to enlist W.E.A. movement in this district. Air \V. AL Kerr was appointed to represent this ria's on the General Committee to bo set up f< r the W.E.A. move ment in the Buller district. For xi Thursdav evening the subject will be Robert Burns. On a charge of assault, Harry Boy'Vll was convicted end fined '*2 an costs, at the Magistrate’s (’our! nt Denniston. The evidence show'd th’t Bov dell assaulted a man ami wife f’-. nrovccntion being that Boyd II alleged that Ihe people concerned had been t a r <- I ing about him. In a tussle with ♦’v ' man and the woman, it is alleged that i Boydell attacked the woman and knock ' <1 out her false tooth. On»o of the hardest-fought hoekey matches peon in Westport for many n 'ay was played on Victorin f'qnnre. when Reefton and Umore (Karamet 1 ) drew in the final of the ladies’ championship. At full time th • score wtwo all and although two extra 1. minutes were played and then airther five, neither side was able to sco>-o nnd it was decided that they should hold the cup for sbt months each. While proceeding to West port from the Twelve Mile Camp, the hospital ambulance came into collision wit.i a Ford sedan on a- had corner in the Gorge to-day. Nobody was injured, although the patient received a severe -■baking. The rear mudguard and the ruming board of the Ford were severe ly damagedr and the ambulance ha 1 both front wheels torn off. Owing to the accident, the mail cars delay-'

>d. Newman’s took over Gibbs’s passengers, and Gibbs brought the pa ci mt into Westport. As a consequence, he mails wer P . delayed about an hour. Ali-s Ph'-11 is Fairhall, who Ivif. been n ill-health ,for the last six weeks, resumed duties at. the Public Works oral office yesterday.

Mr A. Taylor, Town Clerk, left this norning for Nelson. Air Jim Comerford junr, who has jeon on •a holiday visit to his parents, if Mill Street, left for Christchuich to-day.

The Westport Miniature Rifle Club’s shoot resulted as follows: —L. Jordan scr 70. N. E. Solomon scr 69, C. Bascand scr 68, A. Brunning scr 68. W. Earl (1) 68, O. J. Howarth (1) 68, J. Williams (I) 68. E. Banks (1) 68, T. Jofgonson (1) 68, L. A. William (2) 68 E. Skilton (4) 68. G. Neill (4) 68. W.’ Keesing (5) 68, T. Marr (6) 68, G. Gothard (8) 68, J. Singer (12) 68, 11. Brunning (4) 67, 11. Head (6) 67, A. J. Green scr 66 ; A. Silcock 02) 66. .1. Phibbs (3) 66, T. Vincent (7) 66. R. Snow (2) 64, E. Sargisson (4) 64, H. Thegurtha (4) 64, J. Mullan (7) 63, R. Wilson (8) 60. R. Agent (12) 42. W. Taylor (12) 64. The Westport Jockey Club’s annual report states that receipts amounted to £4603 9s Bd, as against £3990 17s 7d in 1927, and £3052 13s 8d in 1926. The main items in receipts compared with the previous year were as follows, the figures for 1927 being given in parentheses:—Totalisator £2663 9s (£2206 ss); gate, stand and paddocks £474 12s (£452 7s); nomination and acceptances £422 9s 8d (£452 ss) ; members £96 12s (£lOB 9s); race cards £ll2 16s 3d (£lO5 18s sd); privileges £l2B (£93); rents and grazing fees £174 5s 6d (£9l 16? 8d). Most of the items show a considerable increase on the previous year, which gave a very satisfactory return on the mooting. The race cards gave

a. profit of £BO 6s 3d as against £66 18s 5d in 1927, and £42 Is 9d in 1926 The members’ list stands at 92. as against 103 in .1927. Included in the i receipts for th o year is an amount of £214 8s 3d, being a rebate of 1} per cent, received from the Government on totalisator turnover, which is to be expended on permanent improvementsYour Committee has decided to expend this sum on the erection of seats in the grand stand, a contract for which has been lot to Air Scanlon, and any balance ■vVill b e expended on further improving the club’s property. During the year the sum of £3OO 6s 9d has been paid off old accounts. Assets over liabilities amount to £2305 18s sd, as

against £1672 18s in 1927. which shows that the club is £633 0s 5j better off than on the previous balance. This practically represents profits over the last race meeting. The accommodation on. the course for stewards, owners, jockeys and trainers is most inadequate, and your Committee has had plans and specifications prepared and tenders called for the erection of up to date rooms.