WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 11 August 1931, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

1 (Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, August 10. When the story associated wi h the I death of Frederick Upham, the young , man who was discovered dead in a ' hovel, which served as a home—and tn connection with which his wife, Lena | Maud Upham, is in custody, charged with murder—is told, it is anticipated that one of the saddest and most poignant domestice tragedies and one which has cast a gloom, which will not readily be dispelled, over West port, will he revealed. It is understood that the couple had been for some time past living in sordid conditions, and that i their home life had been anything but * pleasant during ‘heir married period of over five years. They were fre- | quently separated. The living rooms I where the tragedy occurred were very | sparsely furnished, and the only cooking articles consisted of a very meagre I supply. The dead man was prominent in football circles, and was physically

well provided for by Nature. The th re children were in care of the State.

| The large and representative meetin of heads of Local Bodies held las I week, in connection wi'h the approach I ing visit of the Railway Board, whirl | has asked for written evidence in con I nection with the Buller Gorge Railway has so far not been reported in tin . local press. At the meeting an import ant report of a join,t nature was adopt cd for presentation to the Board. Thv I report was not available to the press ’ and it is difficult to understand wlr I there is, so much privacy, so much s’ ence about, negotiations which vital'; concern ,the district. I Owing to the industrial trouble th I ownership of ‘he Albion Cup will thi season be decided in Westport and tl:

| withdrawal of the country clubs from • the competition has robbed the fixtures, lof much interest On Saturday last, | I on the Trotting Track, United, which . has been transferred 'o the town secl tion. were well established favourites in their game with Stars (Westport), | but, contrary to expectations, the town side, without, the services of Grogan,] Copper Lockey and Ginger Hampton,] i pu* it well across the visitors, and deI eisively defeated them by e ; ght points ;to three The Star forwards had the • better of the play, but the backs on | both sides were only mediocre, and a ' far better display should have been ' given under the’ excellent condition* , which prevailed The score sheet was opened hrough the medium of an ex- . cellent try scored for Stars by Hislop, who secured from a scrum and sidestepped several opposing backs. .Tones from a very difficult angle, added Ihe necessary points. Wells scored for the visitors, but. Martin could not add the two points. I n the second half, United indulged in many passing movements, but faulty running and passing devoid ,of snappincss, prevented progress bc- ' ing made. The Star forwards continued to be the more aggressive, and were unfortunate in not being rewarded with at least another try. Tom Connolly got over for Stars’ second try, but Jones misses with the wick. The final result wan Stars 8, United 3.

On the “B” ground Old Boys had little trouble in defeating Rivals and ! the margin of points, 14 to 3, was a I fair indication of the merits of both i sides. The whites always looked a ’■ superior side, and at no stage lost a j grip of the .game. The first ‘esf for the Albion Cup will be played between Stars and Old Boys, and the game should be well worth j seeing. So far no definite date has ’ been fixed for the game. The usual meeting of the Manage-

nicnt Committee of the Buller Rugby Union was held in the County Chambers on Saturday evening. Those present were Messrs F. Keating (chair), A Colvin. A. S’evens, G. Gothard, W. Nahr, H. Hammond, J. Tiplady, A. Thurlow and W. Craddock (Secretary). After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and adopted, adverse reports concerning the conduct of two players in the senior match, Old Boys versus Rivals, played on Saturday, were discussed, and it. was decided .that the Rival senior player who was ordered off the field on ‘hat occasion, for misconduct, be severely reprimanded, ami that the member of the same Chib who was sent to the side line during the progress of the same match for rough play be ordered to appear at the next meeting of the Management Commi‘ tee to be held on Augti't 17. The Secretary was instructed to advise Nelson Union of Buller’s approval of suggested arrangements for the selection of a Combined Seddon Shield Unio n team to play New Sou'h Wales at Nelson on September 2nd. It was also resolved: “That this Union recommend to ‘he New Zealand Union ’ that the brothers McElwee of Inanga- , hua Sub Union be reinstated to rhe Rugby code.” An application from .tlie Millerton Ranger Club for the 'transfer of J. Blyth and G. Orman. ' who are at presen* assisting Ngakawau I seniors to Ranger juniors, was not granted. It was decided that West 'Coast Union be advised, that the sugi gested dates for home and home fix- ' tures will be confirmed at next meet- . ing of .he Management Committee, and Hhat September 12th be accepted for Seddon Shield challenge match. Pcrj mission was granted to Mr Hammond to conduct the Samuels Cup school seven-a-side tournament on Victoria Square next Saturday morning, if the ground is available and that the final of (lie competition be played at half time on the occasion of the Nelson v. Buller game It was decided that the .curtain-raiser for next Saturday’s Sedi don hSield game be a match between i Karamea and Buller “B” representa-

tives. Mr W. Danks (Millerton) is to act as referee. The selectors were in-

structed to select a Buller “B” team to pay Karamea, also .19 players*to go I ] into training to play in the Seddon. ’ Shield game versus Nelson. It was agreed that the Buller “B” team assemble a* the Black and White Hotel at 12.45, under the managership of Mr S. Davies, and that the Seddon Shield team utilise the Albion Hotel with Mr as manager. It was again deeded that the fences be patrolled by stewards and that, anyone cauglU gaining entrance to the grounds be proj ceeded against. Various enter.fain- • ments for the visiting Nelson team, including a dinner and a visit to the | country, were decided upon. The ’ President, Mr F. Reading, was appoini- ’ ed to officially welcome the Nelson representatives "at .the Rowing Club ball at 9 p.m. on Friday next. I The selectors of the Buller Rugby Union have chosen the following fif- ' toon to play against Karamea on Sat-! j urday next:—M. Hill; D. Hislop, W. i Phipps. M. Corrie; W. Higgins, A. SexIton; J. Green; Berry; R. Pryde, O. Prince; Jack, W. Jenkins, Nu 4 ting; j Mason, Orman; emergencies (backs): (Nixon, Jones; forwards: Corrie, McNally. ' The leoal whippet devotees conduct- ; ed a very successful meeting during ! the week, and keen interest was taken l in the various events. Mr Jack Me- | Manus was the most successful owner, I taking the chief event, with Spring Boy. a very smart performer, and he

also annexed the consolation race with Awarua. Results: —Open Handicap I

• Flat. 200 yards:—First, heat: J. Me- | Manus’ Spring Boy, 15 yards, Ist; S.

Scott’s Wee Mae scr, 2nd. Second heat: .S Scott’s Mary of Argyle, 15yds, Ist; | W. Kissell’s The Rumply, 10yds, 2nd. t Final: Spring Bov Ist; Mary of Argyle 2nd. Maiden Handicap, 150 yards:—S. | Scott’s Mary of Argyle Ist; D. ThomJas’s GEdeaway 2nd. Open Hurdles:— 'F. Keating’s Flying Buck, 4yds. ls f ; J. ‘[Raynor’s Tom Popper, scr, 2nd. Puppy ‘ Race:—M. Dowd’s Miss Moffit Ist; A. Colvin’s Ravine 2nd. Consolation Race. - 200 yards:—J. McManus’s Awarua, S 1 yds, Ist; S. Scott’s Wee Mae, 2nd. ‘ j The activities of the newly-formed ’ Natives’ Association in Westport cm- ’ braces many proposals which should be > for the betterment of ‘he district, if ■ popularly practiced, and its efforts in ’ the direction of advocating |he pur- ‘ chase of the New Zealand product

should be heeded by all who have the interests of the country a* heart. Our chief local industry, coal mining, is languishing because we have a Government which has no faith in our mine* and their ability to produce an article to meet all requirements, and there, is no doubt our mines will flourish when they are accorded tha> support any rational people should give them. The belief that fareign products, are better because they are cheaper is the canker at the root of our economic distress, and it is to be hoped the Natives’ Association will at the next election assist to displace a Government that has proved a determining factor to all olir ills and vote sol’dly for the Labour Party—a Government that would show the way to national prosperity.

The officials of the. Buller Deputies’ Union met Mr J. C. Brown, District Manager of the Westport Coal Company, in connection with the disrating of a deputy in the Millerton mine, who haU some time ago met with an acci-

dent, which prevented him from working, bu f , who, on resumption was employed at a lower rate t than he previously enjoyed. This was resented by the Union, and it is understood that drastic action had been decided upon if the matter was not adjusted. The Union was represented by Messrs Prosser (Chairman), T. Calder (Secretary), and J. Ilopkinsoji. Mr A. Woods also accompanied fhe deputation. After a long discussion an amicable settlement of the dispute was arrived a f . The usua] monthly meeting of the Westport Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held at the<Party’s Rooms on Sunday night. There was a large attendance of members. Mr Woodcock occupied the chair. The minutes of ‘he previous monthly meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence from Mr H. E. Holland and Mr Nash were dealt, with. The “Argus” representative, who was present, referred to the interest taken in the workers’ paper and suggested methods of increasing its circulation in Westport, and requested the co-operation of the members of the Party in promoting its popularity in the district. A re?ohetion was carried unanimously in this direction. A matter of concern to a particular section of the staff of the Westport Hospital was mentioned and Mrs Foreman, a member of the Hospital Board, promised to make inquiries and submit a repor,t at the next meeting of the Party regarding lhe j complaint. It was .decided to call a special meeting of the Branch on the return of Mr Holland to the district. Consideration of a proposal to conduct euchre tournaments and to promote debates was held over. After attending to routine matters the meeting adjourned.

The recently-formed Wrestling Asso cia,tion has made tentative arrangements for 'he holding of a tournament ; n the near future, but owing to- heavy bookings of the star mat-men trouble in arranging a suitable match is being experienced.

Archdeacon Dart, who has .been somewhat seriously ill. is reported to he improving satisfactorily.

On Saturday afternoon the second hockey match of the season for the Newman Shield was played at Mokihinui on Saturday between the Country Sub-Association and Karamea, the former retaining the trophy by one goal to nil. At. St. Andrew’s Church Hall on Saturday night a very enjoyable social was held, when ninp members of the Greymouth Bible Class were entertained by the Combined Westpor* Presby-

terian Bible Classes. The competition was won bv Miss Luey.

The Westport Old Girls’ Basketball team defeated Greymouth Old Girls at Greymouth on Saturday by eight points ‘o nil . The team returned to Westport yesterday.

The Westport-Stockton Coal Company svn.-j.ped 1.494 tons 14 cwt of coal during the past week.

The following are the loadings at the port of Westport for the week: —Tuesday, Kiwi‘ea, for New Plymouth. Chelsea and Auckland; Thursday, Totara for Napier; Friday, Kai miro, for Auckland, and Suva, via Greymouth; Monday, August 17th, Komata for Wei

lington. Mr G. Graham loft to-day for Welbigton, en route io England on a vi c it t(i relatives.

Pa-sengers by the Komata from Welling'on were:—Messrs-J. Johnston, McFarlane. Williamson; Mesdames D. Kerr, Tarrant and infant, and Nurse Marshall.

To-morrow, it is understood, Mrs Lena Maud Upham, who was remanded on the charge of murder, will be taken to Christchurch, but will return to Westport for the trial on the 26th inSt. All spor's will be elated at the

news that the newly-e>tabl’shed Wrestling Association here has proved itself a go-getter ,to such an extent that it has arranged for Saturday night next a bou* at the Theatre Royal that should draw upon all parts of the Coast for spectators. The Association has suc-

ceeded in matching a famous pair iff matt-men, Stanley Bursch, the “Gorilla Man,” and Peter L’mutkin, known as “Peter the Great.” There will be keen interest in both men, as they are in the first flight. Bnrsch is to meet Kara. Pasha soon, while Limutkin is a thrilling performer. Bursch is a great man to .train, doing two hours a day on the mat. and walking between seven and eight miles every morning. Limu'kin, called “The Terror,” will give 4 he other man all he can do to avert defeat. Have you seen Jeff’s new bar?

Morgan’s Pictures

“O n With the Show” will be presented for the final screening at the Victoria Theatre, Westport, to-night (Tuesday). It is a splendid First National attraction that has delighted audiences on Saturday and Monday nights. Reserves at ..Morgan’s, near Theatre. Buster Keaton i n “Forward March ’ ‘ is the Metro-Goldwyn alltalkie comedy on Wednesday and Thursday, and matinee on Thursday at 2.30 p.m. Shell-shocked by a kiss, he yet won the war, single-handed! You’ll scream—you’ll roar at “Buster” a« a Doughboy. There are thrills, laughs and love—in a gorgeous comedy romance; a mistake made him join the army, and love made him a hero. Sally Eilers and Cliff Edwards are also in the cast. Talkie supports are Sound News, Burton Holmes Travelogue, and M.G.M. stars in a Revue. Reserves at Morgan ’s, near Theatre.

FRIDAY NIGHT

' Lupe Velez and Lew Ayres are feat- . ured in the Universal all-talking 'drama, r< East is West,” at the Victoria Theatre on Friday night only, I and matinee Saturday at 2.30 p.m. A j glamorous romance of the Orient, of a I little Chinese girl sold at auction on I the gorgeous but hideous Chinese love . boat. Supports are News Reel, Cartoon, Comedy.