WESTPORT NOTES.

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1929, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES.

(From Our Correspondent.) WESTFORT, May 13. Although there has been some considerable alarmist talk about the scarcity of water in Lake Rochfort and the danger of a shut-down of the electric service, it is understood that the holding capacity of the lake as generally understood, nor the abnormally dry season, was not altogether responsible. It is stated that the control gear did not control, and that although it is officially stated there was only five feet of water in the lake, there should have been eleven. Six feet of water "got away” unobserved. Something similar happened upon a former occasion, when there was also an imminent danger of a stoppage. Talk was rapid and fluent on Saturday night, about the brick area bylaws and building in brick, concrete or wood. A statement which could not he traced to a source, but which was persevered in, was that Hallenstein Bros, were enquiring why they should build in brick. This may have arisen from the fact that the time for tenders had been extended by the architects.

What was described 10 the best game yet of Rugby took place on Victoria Square on Saturday afternoon, between Rivals and Old Boys, resulting in a win for the latter by 9 to 3. The most of the scoring resulted from penalty kicks, the play on both sides being declared very even and good. An article in the Sydney Sun by a movie director who had directed at Hollywood gave very interesting talk about the "talkies.” Many people are of the opinion that the sound films will not be heard at all parts of a theatre, but from particulars supplied they will be heard better than living sictors on the ordinary stage. Instruments are utilised which record the footfall of flies ,and whispers can be amplified into roars. It follows then that the patrons of the pit will be well catered for in regard to sight and hearing in the dress circle. Mr and Mrs Sara, of Reefton, arrived in Westport on Saturday, and are staying with relatives in Upper Romilly Street. The first meeting of the Buller County Council is fixed by statute for May 22nd. The Hospital Board will meet on May 21st. Regret was expressed at the School of Mines meeting at the projected departure of Mr T. D. Milne, of the Technical High School staff. Mention was made of fine lectures Mr Milne had given and it was stated he would complete his series before he left foi Nelson.

Mrs Silas Jenkins, of Auckland, in on a visit to Westport. Mr and Mrs W. Meyer have arrive J in Westport from Christchurch. Miss Harney, school teacher at Oparara, is spending holidays with her people, Buller Road. Mr 11. Hammond ,senior master at the Westport State School, is at Arthur’s Pass to spend the term holidays. Another slip occurred at Stitt’s Bluff yesterday, and hold up some of the cars. It is expected to have the road clear to-day. At the Miniature Rifle Club’s week ly shoot the best scores were: Snow (hep. 1) 69, L. Watt (2) 69, A. Johnson (3) 69, H. Tregurtha (2) 68, A. J Green (scr) 67, F. L. Evans (5) 67, T. Jorgenson (2) 67, T. Marr (6) 67, H. E’ley (6) 67, A. Silcock (2) 66, A. Brunning (6) 66, Solomon (1) 65, A. L. Williams (4) 65. At the School of Mines annual meeting there were present Messrs J. Bradley (chair), H. E. Holland, M.P., F. S. Wood, C. M. Sargisson, C. D. Betts, J. H. Enright, L. Powick, F. D. Young, an dthe Director, Mr J. F. McFadden. Messrs C. Betts, Sargisson and Wood spoke eulogistieally as to the annual report and Director’s report. Mr Holland, in congratulating the Director, said it was gratifying that the attendance was not going down. It was natural to expect the attendance at Westport to go down. If he had the chance he would recommend all young men to avail themselves of the School. If, in his Parliamentary capacity, he could do anything to assist, he would be most pleased to do so. The balance sheet •showed a credit balance of £724. The chairman said the school had been renovated and the expense had been borne by the school. Certain repairs would bo required to the Granity school. He advised that this work should be put in hand The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, Mr 11. E. Holland, M.P.; President, Mr J. Bradley; Vice-President, Mr J. C. Brown; Mr F. D. Young was added to last year’s Council; Auditor, Mr P. A. Struthers. A bonus of £5 5/was granted to the Director, the Secretary and Mr s «iart, who gained the scholarship. It was decided to grant the use of the School of Mines room to the W.E.A. The question of Granity School repairs were left in the hands of the President and VjieePresident, Mr Powick, to draw un the specifications. The Powick Medal was awarded to Mr G. Canning of Millerlon, and to present it next Friday. It

was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mr T. D. Milne, who is leaving to take a position on the staff of the Technical School at Nelson. Mr Holland said that it was a pity Mr Milne was leaving the district, although he was deserving of congratulation on hi s appointment. The Director (Mr J. F. McFadden) reported as follows:—Attendance: On roll 41 students; average 36. Examinations:— Second-class Colliery Manager’s Certificate, J. W. Smith, Denniston. Mine Surveyor’s Certificate: J. Rennie, Millerton. Underwriter’s Certificate, pass: W. Cowan, F. Peart, Millerton: J. Niven, H. Kelly, Granity; partial pass, H. McEwen, Stockton; C. Olsen, D. Wight, Millerton; G. Gaskell, Denniston. Firemen’s Deputies, pass: P. Gilmour, D. Wight. J. Burt, J. Ewart, W. Blyth, Millerton; R. Birchfield, Granity; and M. Hewitson, Denniston; partial pass, J. Simpson, Denniston; W. Richardson, Millerton. Secondclass Engine Driver’s Certificate: R. Coleman, Westport, and J. Gennon, Granity. At the annual School of Mines held in December the following passes were obtained:—Mechanics, first class: M. Smart, F. Linguard. Chemistry, second class: M. Thomson. Mining, second-class: G. Canning. F. Peart, C. Olsen. Ventilation. firstda n s: G. Canning, F. Peart; secondclass, H. McEwen. C. Olsen, D. Wight. Geology, first-class: D. Smart. Surveying, first-class: J. Maher, F. Peart, G. Canning. Mathematics (senior), first-c’ass: D. Smart, F. Linguard. D. Smart, of Denniston, was awarded a School of Mines Scholarship tenable t’nr four years at the Otago TTnive rrity; Mr G. Canning, of Millerton, is <he winner of the Powick Medal. Mr F. Linguard kept terms for the first, section of the B.Sc. degree at Victoria College.