WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1932, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent.) WESTPORT, February 18. To-morrow (Friday) evening Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Opposition will deliver a pro-sessional address in the Town Hall and will deal with the economic aspects of the legislation of last session, and the probable legislation of the forthcoming short session. Mr Holland will also outline the policy of the Opposition affecting the present economic depression, and matters of great local interest as well as of national importance, such as the coal industry. The Wcstport-Inanga-liua railway, and the pakihi lands will come within the scope of the address. The chair will be taken by His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. H. Harkness, at 8 o ’clock.

The programme of events for People’s Day at the A. and P. Show embraces a wide variety of competitions. Riding and driving for youths and adults alternate with steer riding, steeplechasing and trotting events and field athletics. A number of Jhovelty events, medley donkey races, etc., are also included and the programme should provide a great afternoon’s sport. The Municipal Band will be in attendance and the Railway Department will provide a special time-table at excursion rates. The general entries for the Show total 751, being the largest for many years past, and include a substantial improvement in the horse entries. The vegetable section is easily a record, being no less than 167 in number. The programme of (‘vents on People’s Day will start at one o’clock.

The returns for the Westport Harbour for the month of January are as follows:—Westport Coal Coy. output 16.056 tons 1 cwt, export 15,587 18 cwt; Stockton Coy. output 6856 tons 11 cwt., export 6842 tons Bcwt; Cooperative Parties output 3661 tons; Westport Coal Company output of coke 45 tons 6 cwt, export 50 tons 3 cwt. The total output from all sources amounted to 26,619 tons 11cwt, and the export to 26,142 tons 2 cwt. Of this amount there were no shipments to foreign ports. The export of timber amounted to 127,024 super, feet. During the month 27 steamers and 4 auxl liar sailers representing 19.286 tons entered the port, and 27 steamers and 5 auxiliary sailers representing 19.346 tons left the port. The total tonnage for the month was 38,683 tons. The mean high water levels were:—River, 23ft 2in, bar 22ft 4in; and the rainfall 15.76 inches with rain on 15 days.

In reply to a request from Mr McIntyre asking the Under-Secretary foi Mines to visit Westport for the purpose of organising the gold prospecting in Buller and Kaiamea districts on lines now operating in Thames, Otago and Coromandel fields, the following wire was received from the Prime Min. ister: “I am forwarding your representation for consideration, of the Minister of Mines.”

The semi-finals of the Lynx rowing fours wore contested last evening and provided two excellent races. Results: —A. Jones (stroke). V. Rollerson, J. Green and W. Buxton, defeated R. Blair (stroke), A. Atkin, R. Holdgate and R. Stevens. The crews kept together until about fifty yards from the winning post when the former took the lead and maintained the advantage to' win by a portion of a canvas. I. Friend (stroke), A. Bradley, R. Nutting and 8. Smith. beat J. Strachan (stroke), J. Caldwell, C. Smith and F. Sloe after another great race by half a length. The Komata is due to-day from Wellington. The Kini arrived from Duned'n yesterday, part-loaded, and left for Greymouth to complete cargo. Mrs J. 11. Greenwood will act as judge of the Show cooking classes, owing to the indisposition of Mrs Benjamin. who had been appointed to act in that capacity. Messrs T. O’Brien and L. Fleming, two prominent cyclists, who have been i on holiday at Westport, where the former participated with success at the sports meetings, left yesterday for Christchurch, where O’Brien (holder of the mile and mile and a-half cyclo championships) will defend the titles. Mr Butcher, Inspector of Fire Brigades, was in Westport yesterday and

inspected the station plant and Brigade. COUNTY AFFAIRS. At the monthly meeting of the Buller County Council, held yesterday, there were present: Crs J. Niven, (chair), Snodgrass, A. Baker, D. Archer, W. H. Mjclntyre, J. Griffiths, R. Hawes V. Dellavedova and J. Powell. Accounts totalling £7827 9s 2d were passed for payment. Referring to the Clerk’s report, which was adopted, the Chairman remarked that in all probability the overdraft would be reduced by £3OOO. Inspector Blyth was appointed to collect heavy traffic fees, and to take proceedings against owners of stray cattle. The Engineer reported that the roads, considering thp amount of traffic recently, were in a good state of repair. Floods had caused con. siderable damage at Karamea, and slips had occurred at Denniston and Millerton. Damage had been of big dimensions and repair work was carried out with unemployed labour. The number of meh employed by the County Council under Scheme 4A was 49 and of boys 32. and under 4B scheme, 13. Under No. 5 Scheme 87 men wore employed o n farmsand the total employed on roads in various parts of the district was 167 made up as follows: — Westport. 99, Granity 20, Millerton 20, Denniston 2, Karamea. 26. The total number of men employed intermittently by the Council under unemployment schemes was 310 and the wages paid .for approximately twelve months amounted to £17.410. Mr Sehadiek’s statement was received as satisfactory. Mr L. J. Carmine (Granity) was allowed the sum of £lO for bitumen work done to road frontage. As the Council had been advised regarding its liability in connection with an accident suffered by R. Donaldson, if. was decided not to pay a sum of £4 4s, an account, for which had been forwarded by the Hospital Board for treatment at the institution. The usual donation of £lO was voted to the School of Mines and a similar amount was granted to the County Picnic Fund. • The Commissioner of Unemployment intimated that in future it would bo a con. dition in order to obtain relief that workers show that they are endeavouring to help themselves by growing vegetables and if they have no suitable land, plots be allotted from the County reserves for that purpose. The Chair man, Cr. Archer and the Engineer, were appointed to confer with the Borough Council and the Aero Club with a view to providing a suitable landing ground for aeroplanes. The usual grant of £lO was made to the A. and P. Society. Cr. Mclntyre, referring to the Konini Creek trouble said the constant hold-ups wore hampering the sawmillers and other industries and wished (o move that the Government be requested to take steps in the direction of keeping the Westport-Karamea Road open an ( ] that a telephone be provided at the workmen’s hut in the vicinity of Konini Creek. Cr Dellavedova drew attention to the clearing of lands and said it was not fair that men holding them and making no attempt at clearing should be competing with unemployed labour. Have you seen Jeff’s new Bowser f— AdvL Andy Phillips Is now at the Sergeant’a Hill Hotel, where a welcome awaits all- —Advt. Morgan’s Pictures The sensational mystery romance “Dracula,” will bo presented again tonight at the Victoria Theatre, and final screen at the matinee to.-morrow at 2.30 p.m. A strange, weird pieturp that outdoes all previous mysteries of the screen. Bela Lugosi plays the role of “Dracula” with an excellent supporting cast, including Helen Chandler as the heroine. This picture is more suitable for adults. Supports include comedy, and “Strange As It Seems.” Popular prices 2/3 and 1/6. SATURDAY AND MONDAY. Peter B. Kyne’s adventurous romance' of the South Seas, “Never the Twain Shall Meet,” is the MetroGoldwyn all talkie for screening at the Victoria Theatre on Saturday night and Monday. “I will Show You What Love Means. ’ ’ He had always been a sane young business man-—until this beautiful little savage entered his life. Those who love romance with a dash of adventure will undoubtedly be fascinated with this picture, more suitable for adult audiences. Featured players arc Leslie Howard, Conchita Montenegro, C. Aubrey Smith, Clyde Cook. Excellent supports. Popular pric-ec 2/3 and 1/6. THEATRE ROYAL. To-morrow night (Saturday) only R.K.O. present a vibrant story of the West “Not for Publication,” featuring Ralph Ince, Rex Lease, and Jola Mendez. Polities and press at death grips, a groat dam building project in process of construction and a love romance interwoven. Two-reel comedy is support.