WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1929, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.) WESTPORT, March 3.

The dredge ‘‘Eileen Ward” is to leave Wellington on Tuesday. It is s’tatcd that she w.iUl be as good as a new ship. Her new pumps are reported to be working admirably. As soon as she is started, the “Maui” bucket dredge is to go on the slip. On Saturday afternoon, at the Labour Party ro/om, the Buller L.R.C. held their usual monthly meeting. Besides delegates from town affilliations, there were present representatives from Denniston Miners’ Union (Mr Wathy) and Stockton Union (Mr Mcßrjde), Mr T. Parfitt presided and extended a welcome to Mr McBride, as representing a new af“filiati/on, a new link in the chain of solidarity. Voluminous ccrrespondance was read by the Secretary, n|ostly in connection with the Head Office. A duly audited balance sheet was presented covering the year’s pperations, and including expenses of the general election. The expenses were less than at the previous election, and the balance sheet showed a small credit balance. Tt was adopted. All officers for the ensuing year were returned unopposed—Mr Parfitt (Chairman), Mr Wathy (Vice Chairman), Mr Woodcock (Secretary), Messrs Fowler and Weokes (Auditor) and the same trustees to remain Mr H. E. Holland M.P. was appointed representative to the Easter Conference. It was stated that probably Denniston, Runanga and Stockton Miners’ Union would be sending delegates. Some remits (were considered and definite resolutions passed upon them, the L.R.C. delegate to use his own direction as regards others. Mr Wathy’s notice of motion “that the Secretary supply all affiliations with a copy of the minutes” was carried. It was decided that the L.R.C. delegate its functions to the Westport Branch of the N.Z. Labour Party in respect to local elections. The next meeting of the L.R.C. to be held on Saturday April 13th. next.

Tho s.s. Komata did the run from Wellington to Westport in 20 hours and a half, arriving at Westport wharf at 10.30 a.m.

On Friday evening a jpiint meeting of the Buller Progress League and the Westport Borough Council was held lo discuss arrangements for entertainment of officers and men of H.M.S. Dunedin and Veronika. The Dunedin is due at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, and is leaving at 7 am. on Thursday, and the Veronica is due at 7 am. on Wednesday and is leaving fcr Greymouth early on Saturday. It wa decided to hold a cricket match on Tuesday afternoon and a carnival in tho streets on Tuesday evening. Prizes will be offered for the best fancy dress and for the best decorated motor car. On Wednesday afternoon the officers will be taken up the, Bulller Gorge. Messrs J ope and Parfitt are to make arrangements for cars and private owners are asked to assist. It was decided to ask Mr Fox of the League Railway Committee to arrange a train trip up to the Cascade bi us for the men. All sports bodies are request ed to entertain the men as much as possible. A swimming carnival will be held on Wednesday evening. On Saturday evening a further meeting was held in the Town Hall and reports received from the various committees. Certain details were worked out and given fine weather it is expected that the visit should be a pleasant one for officers and men alike.

On Saturday night the police arrested a man on a charge of interfering with a child of about 13 years of age. It is stated .one of the Salvation Officers noticed a suspicious movement of the man at the rear of the Citidal and gavev information which led to the arrest.

Bailie and Go have entered upon a new era; they are now wholesalers pure and simple. Last Saturday night some of the employees appeared very happy. Asked why, they replied they had the Saturday half holiday, without having to take a poll on the m|atter. The firm have re-arranged their hours, giving them a 44 hour week. 8 a.m. to 12 noon \On Saturday. This good example is one that should be recognized and from the opinions expressed on Saturday night, the firm’s generosity willl be amply repaid in faithful service. It is to be hoped that this spirit of generosity will catch on and the 44 hour week become the rule rather than the exception. Those

ikera who appreciate this sort of thing will lend all assistance possible to secure the Saturday half holiday by voting fcr it at poll on April Ist. | Divorce petitions were dealt with os follows here by Judge. Adami: Annie Ajjnes Young v. .James Young; decree absolute granted. James Gibson Dickson, of Stockton sought a dissolution of marriage- from Louisa Matela Dickson on the grounds of desertion. Petitioner said he was married in 1920. They lived at Stockton until January 9th., 1928. There were two children. On January 9th last his wife left. She had not returned since. She left the children with petitioner. Petiti|oner said his wife had made no effort to return to him. Sydney Payne said he had known petitioner and his wife about 30 years. Witness had heard petitioner’s wife say she would not confe back. A decree nisi was granted, to be made absolute in three months, ‘petitioner to have custody of the children. Mabel Jorgens-on sought dissolution of her marriage with Albert Jorgensen. Mr Molony said petitioner was married ih 1920 and was a widow at the time wi|th several children and there was one child of the present marriage. The grounds for the proceedings were misconduct with a step-daughter. Mabel Jorgenson said they married in 1920. She was a widow with five children, 'find

there was one child of her second marriage. Petitioner detailed what led to the trouble. A decree nisi was granted to be made absolute in three months, and petitioner was granted custody of the child of the second marriage. Frederick George Daniels’s application from bankruptcy was adjourned until the next sitting. The vital statistics for Westport for the m|onth of February are:— Births 6, deaths 6, marriages 8.

The semi-final and the final of the Kawatirji Rowing Club’s club medals race were won by W. Craddock (str), J. Woodward, F. Slee, A. Jones (bow). In the semi-final Craddock rowed R. Toomath (str), O. 11. Haddock, R. Hulquist. J. Strachan (bow), winning by about two lengths. Craddock then met A. Bradley, T. Wheatley, W. Casey and J. Strachan in the final. Strachan rowed as substitute for G. Phibbs. Craddock hopped out in the lead and won easily by about four lengths.

A successful meeting of the White Star Football Club was held in the Elite Tea Rooms. There was a large attendance and the following officers were eletd:—Patron: J. Scanlon; President R. O’Neil; Vice-Presidents: T. Murphy, W. Scanlon, J. Brown. A Mclntyre, J. Lamert, R. James, F. Keating, E. Samuels E. Upham, W. Hobbs, A. Craddock, F. Knight, W. Reid, W. Kiely, L. Hansby, W. Jones; Secretary and Treasurer: M. O’Dea; Club Captain: W. Jenkins; Club Coaches: Mr Salmon (seniors), R. O’Neil (juniors and thirds); Social Committee: F. O’Neil and W. Nahr (joint secretaries), O’Dea, Stephenson, Atkinson, Scanlon, Lockey, Stevens; Management Committee: A. Lockey, Green, Jenkins, O’Neil, Stephenson. Scanlcn, Brown; Delegates to Rugby Union: O’Neil, Sainton, Samuels. It was resolved that senior Junior and third grade teams be nominated. The sole seletor to be R. O’Neil. It was urged that all members strongly support the Saturday half-holiday. For the month of February the Customs revenue was as follows: Customs duty £1234/5/5 as compared with £ll7O/19/2 last year and beer £460/11/9, as qom'pared wiith £433 4/7 last year. A slight increase is shown on the business done in FebTua rv 1928.