WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 17 March 1932, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Hospital Board. WESTPORT f March 16. The following were present at the monthly meeting of the Hospital Board last night:—Hon. W. Mclntyre (chair), Messrs Caldwell, E. R. Fox, J. H. Powell J. N. Niven, R. Hawes and J. Griffiths. The Department of Health advised that a further advance of £l.OOO on account of subsidy was being made in view of the position of the Board’s funds, which pointed to a deficit at the end of the financial year. The Buller Valley Medical Association forwarded a cheque for £B5 15s 4d in payment of fees and thanked the Board for courtesy and help extended to the members of the Association. Dr Foote reported as follows: —Patients admitted 26, males 11, females 15; discharged, 7 and 1; remaining in Hospital, 29 males, 10 females. The Master of the Old People’s Home reported six admissions, and n ine discharges, all of whom were unemployed. The Secretary reported that £282 had been received that day from Denniston, which with the subsidy, would improve the financial position considerably. It was agreed to forward a letter of appreciation to the Denniston Committee for the prompt payment. The Matron of the Maternity Hospital reported 12 admissions and 10 discharges, anj the fees collected were £26 12s. The Matron requested that the third trainee should be reinstated as the present staq could not cope with the work of the institution and attend lectures. Dr. Foote, who was present, said the staff was overworked and in his opinion, an extra trainee should be appointed. After d'scussion it was decided to appoint a third trainee. The Secretary reported that the nett debit balance at th? end of the month was £l7ll 6s 3d and in view of a probable defiicit at the end of the year a further advance of £lOOO on account of subsidy was received. Mr Llewellyn, a member of the Executive of the Buller Valley Medical Association, which, owing to the stoppage of the Buller Gorge Railway, disbanded, attended the meeting and thanked the Board and the Hospital and office staff for the kind consideration shown to the Association during its existence. The Chairman said it was pleasing to learn that the members of the Association held the Hospital in such high esteem. The Association had bo *n of great assistance to the Board, and through its activities a large amount of fees had been paid an ( ] the members subscribed most liberally to the funds set apart for the installation of an X-Ray plant a t the Hospital. The best thanks of the Boaid were due to Mr Llewellyn and the other members of the Executive who had so ably conducted the affairs of the Association. Position at Millerton. Mr Eox referring to the acute position at Millerton said that, out of £l2OO voted to relief in the district, approximately £lOOO had gone to Millerton, and the Board could not go o n paying £lOO to £l5O for relief in that township per fortnight. He (Mr Fox) was of opinion that a deputation should proceed Wellington and place the whole matter before the Government. The Chairman said the conditions i n Millerton were desperate and if the re lief recently distributed had not been granted, some families would not have had as much as a crust, and he was not going to see people starving if it could be avoided. Mr Caldwell said it looked as if the present Government were determined to worse n the conditions of the worker, and assistance could not be expected from that source. It was finally decided that the Chairman and Mr 11. E. Holland act as a deputation to the Government, with a view to placing before the authorities the immediate necessity for dealing with the grave position that had arisen in MiHerto n as a result of unemployment.

Rowing. The trial fours contests with a view to the selection of the Nelson and Picton teams opened last evening under the auspices of the local Rowing Club and many supporters of th’s healthy pastime watched the first race of the series. Craddock’s erow was generally expected to win, but after being severely tested, were rather easily defeated by Blair’s four. The result came as a surprise to those associated with the sport, who confidently looked for a far bettor showing from the losers. Blair’g four were not extended to win by two <dear lengths.

A Denniston Trouble. The transfer of a pair of coal hewer from a heading to another part of the mine has led to trouble at the Denniston colliery, which resulted yesterday morning in the members of the Union

returning to their homes and up to the time of writing, no settlement has been arrived at. The Union contends that a principle is embraced, and that the action of the management impeded the machinery of the cavilling. A conference with the management failed to provide a solution and the mine is still idle. Stockton Mine Idle.

A demand by the management of tile Stockton colliery that the loco drivers should convey the coal from the mine to the brake head at contract rates has precipitated a stoppage of the Stock ton mine. The Union resents this interference with the rates of pay prescribed by the agreement, and refuses to entertain the proposal. Galloping Meeting.

Every effort is being made to make the galloping meeting, which opens on Saturday more attractive to the public. The beautifully-laid-out course, the going on which has always been regarded as the nearest to perfection, never looked better and with buses always available can be reached in a few minutes, and if the clerk of the weather does not switch over to dull conditions visitors to Westport can count On a hectic week-end. Ravine, which is still the popular choice for the “first leg,” arrived yesterday accompanied by Coll. The horse looks in splendid racing condition.

Shipping. The Canopus was the only arrival to-day. The Kini is due from New Plymouth to-morrow, and the Totara from Lyttelton. The Komata leaves Wellington to-morrow for Westport and will leave on the return trip at 5.30 p.m. on Friday.

Boxing. The numerous followers of boxing in the Buller district will not miss the big tournament this week-end, and no supporters of the game need be told that the boys whose names figures on the programme are capable of providing a thrilling night’s sport and a big crowd is expected to avail of the opportunity to see the best of talent in action. Andy Phillips is now at the Sergeant’s Hill Hotel, where a welcome awaits all. —Advt. Have you seen Jeff’s new Bowser?— Advt.