WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1932, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Labour Party’s Local Branch. WESTPORT, March 14. The usual monthly meeting of the Local Branch of the N.Z. Labour Party was held last night. Mr W. H. Woodcock occupied the chair, and amongst those present were Messrs Parfitt, Robinson, Bird, Fraser, Pearson, Chapelow, Adams, Mesdames Collins, Adams, Spencer, McKinlay, Falkiner, Robinson and the Secretary, Mr Falkiner. Correspondence was received from the National Secretary (Mr Nash), which mostly concerned the annual conference of the Party to be held at Wellington next month in connection with which a supplementary order paper’ containing several additional remits was discussed. The Secretary of the L.R.C. intimated that the annual meeting would be held on Saturday next at Westport at 10.30 a.m. and that all delegates had been advised to that effect. The following were nominated for the official positions on the L.R.C.: President. Mr Parfitt; Vice-President, Mr C. Smith (Denniston); SecretaryTreasurer, Mr Woodcock. The appointment of Auditors and Trustees was referred to the L.R.C. meeting. The election of officers for the local Branch for the ensuing twelve months was proceeded with and resulted as follows: President, Mr Woodcock; VicePresident, Mr Pearson; Secretary, MiBird. The outgoing secretary, Mr Falkiner, declined nomination. Auditors, Messrs Chapelow and Parfitt; Trustees, Messrs Woodcock and Bird. Mrs Collins moved a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring secretary and referred in glowing terms to the assistance he had rendered to the Social Committee during his term of office. The vote I which was supported by Messrs Parfitt. Caldwell and Woodcock, was carried by acclamation, and was ordered to be inserted on the minutes. The annual balance sheet was adopted. It was agreed in recognition of the services rendered to the Branch and the Party in general to extend to Mr F. O’Gorman an invitation to become an honorary member for the ensuing 12 months. Arising out of a remit to be considered at the Annual Conference which suggests that hoys* from 14 years of age should come within the scope of the Unemployment Act, a lengthy and interesting discussion took place. Mr Parfitt referred to Scheme 4A, which made provision for employment of boys between 18 and 20 on farms Under the old scheme owners of farms were not permitted to employ their pons or relatives, but in accordance with the “over the fence” clauses of the recent amendments, this was permissible. Those in charge were now employed on roads “over the fence” to do all kinds of farm work which heretofore was confined solely to development work and farmers wore now in the happy position that they could get their general work done for nothing and boys would not be required. However, he (Mr Parfitt) would support the remit. Mr Caldwell was of the opinion that the remit, if it became law, would not solve the problem of providing employment for boys who at present were required to work from daylight to dark on farms for a mere pittance. There was the possibility that camps would be provided and to ask their boys to live under such conditions would be distasteful to most parents. On a vote it was decided to support the remit. Rowing.

The elimination contests with a view to the selection of crews to represent the local Rowing Club at the Nelson regatta will be continued this week as follows: Tuesday at 6.30 p.m., Blair’s

four versus Craddock’s four; Wednesday, 6.30 p.m., Blair’s crew v. Friend’s crew; Thursday, 6 p.m., Friend v. Craddock; Thursday, 6.45 p.m., Blair’s crew v| Easton’s youths’ crew. Shipping.

The Union Steam Ship Co. announce the following loadings for the week ending March 19th: Monday, Kanna, for Auckland, via Greymouth. Thursday, Kini for New Plymouth, via Greymouth and Wellington; Komata, for Wellington; Totara, for Napier and Gisborne. The latter will leave Lyttelton to-morrow (Tuesday) direct for this port, with cargo. The Kanna, which arrived yesterday, will part load here, proceeding to Greymouth for completion. The Komata will leave Wellington on Wednesday for Westport. The Kini, which is due on Thursday with general cargo, will proceed to New Plymouth, via Greymouth and Wellington.. The Canopus is expected on Wednesday morning from Auckland. The Rata, which arrived yesterday from Nelson, loads to-day for Tarakohe, Picton and Wanganui. Training Notes. Considering that practically we have had no rain for the past couple of weeks, it was not surprising that the going was a bit on the hard side on Sunday morning. All the local horses are steadily running into form and by Saturday next should be in the best forward condition. Thursby and Fortalicc in a five furlong gallop was the best item of the morning and on the time taken for the journey the pair should be a decided danger, but at the moment the acceptances are not available and their chances cannot for this very obvious reason be definitely estimated. Fair Go, Royal Stanley and New Boy also provided an attractive gallop and the performance suggests that the trio named will not be: amongst the poorest sprinters to face the barrier. Several other horses with the best of credentials also took part in the morning’s work. He’ll Give ’Em a Headache, Says Cliff. The locally owned Ravine is amongst the early favourites for the Morley Handicap and if he misses many a double will b c upset. The horse has been given an acceptance for the classy Autumn and this fact, coupled with glowing reports from the stables, has induced many not to go beyond him for the first leg. At any rate the connections are making no secret of his chances and Cliff Thomas says “He’ll give ’em a headache.” Earthquake is another horse who has been given an acceptance in the Autumn, and has an engagement in the big event the first day at West port. He is a dangerous candidate and with a handy impost is quite capable of upsetting calculations. However, for reasons above mentioned it would at this stage be impossible, with any degree of certainty, to point to the winner and a comprehensive review of the fields will be deferred till later in the week for that reason. Trotting. Big fields promise to be a feature of the four events allotted to the trotting fraternity and keen interest is 1 being centred in the training operations. War Chance is a difficult horse to keep right and on Sunday morning was nursed over about five laps, accompanied by Devon Child, who could be placed in the same category. The best work-out of the morning was when Travis Thorn, Alpine Melody, Fernbrook Lass and Skillicorn skipped over a mile and a-half at a fast pace. The run was done on the outer and a close finish, marked a splendid race. Vai Logan joined in over the last mile and finished in the van. Roche’s mare pulled up before the last mile was entered upon. Alpine Melody and Travis Thorn conceded a second to Skillicorn and Fernbrook Lass. The pace was a cracker over the last half mile, ami entering the straight Alpine Melody and Vai Logan took charge, and in a desperate finish the pair flashed past the post on even terms a length in front of Skillicorn and Travis Thorn a similar distance behind. Most of the 1 other horses were restricted to easy work.

Old Time Dance. These popular dances will be continued on Thursday night next, and it is confidently anticipated the big share of public patronage extended to the functions will be again in evidence. Supper will be provided. The Committee intend forming a learners’ class and those desirous of attending are asked to submit their names to either Mr J. Cullen or Mr Mathewson. St. Pat’s. Celebrations.

Amongst the celebrations arranged for St. Patrick’s night, the concert which will take place in the Theatre Royal, will not be of the least importance. The promoters have secured for the occasion the performing rights of “Larry O’Morc,” a delightful musical drama. The production provides ample scope for the characterisation of Irish life and will include folk dances and jigs, together with Irish ballads and choruses. The language of Ireland, which is her soul, will be a delightful feature of what should prove a great night, and patrons are asked to be seated early. The price of admission is only 2s.

Boxing. The tournament arranged for Saturday night is attracting ffiuch attention and fans are looking forward to a great night’s sport. The programme [ includes 15 bouts with approximately 150 rounds of fighting. The cream of amateur talent has been engaged for the occasion, and the “stoush” should

eclipse anything as yet seen inside the roped square in Westport. Owing to the length of the programme patrons are asked to be seated early.

Andy Phillips is new at the Sergeant’s Hill Hotel, where a welcome awaits all. —Advt.

Have you seen Jeff’s new Bowser?— Advt.