BLACKBALL NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1929, Page 2

BLACKBALL NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.) A swimming carnival held at the Blackball Baths last Sunday drew a good crowd, but the entries wer e not large. The residents of the Flat will soon be enjoying the benefits of electricity. A sub station is being erected on the Ariel Road. The Blackball-Ngahere picnic will eventuate, and given fine ’ weather should prove an enjoyable outing. The sports programme will commence at 11 a.m. on Cass and the return journey at 6.30 p.m. Contrary to expectations, the last Union meeting did not get as far as nominations, as all kinds of side issues were debated and discussed, from balance sheets upwards. Mr R. J. Griffin,, of Wellington, who has recently returned from a three months’ trip to Russia, gave a lecture in the Miners’ Hall Blackball, on Tuesday night, under the chairmanship of Mr R. Clark. About 60 persons attended. The speaker received a good hearing, and answered questions. Mr Griffen’s impressions arc that the Soviet Government is there to stay, and has the support of the working class, whose conditions are much better than under the Czars. He Stated that Soviet Russia was apprehensive and prepared for a combined capitalist attempt to crush her. Mr and Mrs J. Turk, for many years residents of Blackball, now of Karamea. arc renewing old acquaintances. Mr T. Caldwell, who has been confined to his home with a serious illness, is now slowly improving. The boys’ Soccer team have started practising, and intend to hold on to the laurels gathered last season. Th e Bhtvkball Pipe Band seems to be in demand these days,., and quite a number of applications for their services have been received. The Blackball Mine has had a bad run for the past week, owing to haulage breakdowns. is understood that the Blackball tribute party are to open out a block of coal round the Hill estimated to yield a few years ’work.

It looks as if the Australian coal owners are shortly going on the ramp in search of decreased hewing and daily wage rates. The position is admittedly serious, and it is hard to see how a clash of interests is to be avoided if Baron Brown’s attitude represents the coal owners’ opinion. The Grey County Council ar e at present spending a few pounds improving our foo' paths. A lot of money spent in this direction will prove beneficial, but how about a pure water supply? Mr A. McLuskic iis at present in Christchurch undergoing medical treatment for his eyes. Indifferent horsemanship was responsible for two carting accidents last week. Luckily nothing worse than a loss of horse hair and skin resulted. A questioner at the Soviet Russia lecture seemed concerned about the Russians’ menu card. Workers’ Republics are not raised on roast chicken and plum duff. Blackball business people report that business has been very light for the past few weeks. So have the wageslaves’ pay envelopes. A complete clean up of the unemployed has now been effected, the remaining few leaving for Punakaiki district to-day.