WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 28 April 1932, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent, y Hospital Board Elections. WESTPORT, April 27. The Millerton Medical Association in common with other mining dis-, tricts, has swung round to the advanced policy of seeking direct representation on the Hospital Board, and at a recent meeting Mr R. Finlayson was unanimously chosen to contest a seat on that body. Mr Finlayson has for a considerable number of years been secretary of the Association, and can be depended upon if elected not to tie himself to the tail of anyone, and will not allow the Board, 'on any question of concern to Millerton, to make up his mind for him. The members arc to be congratulated on their choice, and it is the obvious duty of all eligible to vote, to support him. U.W.M. —Westport Branch. A largely attended meeting of Westport unemployed was held last evening. Mr W. Clarke occupied the chair. In the absence of Mr Hayes, the secretarial work was done by Mr Wells. Mr Parfitt reported on the result of an interview with the Borough and County Engineers regarding May Day celebrations. The legality of conducting a demonstration on May Day was discussed at length, and it was decided that a deputation wait upon the responsible authorities regarding same. The meeting also resolved that in the event of the authorities refusing to sanction the holding of May Day demonstration, no work be done on that particular occasion. Mr J. Wright was appointed secretary-treasurer in place of Mr Hayes, who had resigned the position. The Secretary was instructed tc communicate with other unions in the district in connection with the proposed celebrations and to call a special meeting, to consider replies, by posting notices in the Borough and County yards. Mr Parfitt intimated that he was in communication with Mr 11. E. Holland, M.P., regarding the Government’s proposals affecting gold prospectors. After lengthy discussion and severe criticism it was decided that the Government’s new scale of wages for unemployed be accepted under protest. It was agreed that an invitation be extended to Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., to attend a mooting of unemployed workers on his return to Westport. It was agreed to approach the Unemployment Relief Committee with a view to Mr E. Potter being appointed to act on that body as representative of unemployed workers in Westport. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded Mr Parfitt for his unremitting efforts on-behalf of the unemployed and their dependents. Prior to the dose of the meeting the Chairman requested members to watch the notice boards in the Borough and County yards for the date and time of the next meeting.

Shipping. There was no shipping of any de-! scription at the port yesterday. The Pakura leaves to-day for Napier and the Canopus to-morrow for Auckland. The Rata is due this week-end from Wellington. Poor Muster. Owing to the absence of several members of the Progress League from town, a special meeting convened for last night, at which important mat tors were to be discussed, was postponed for a week when the deputation which visited Wellington in connection with the railway will submit its report. Low Wage Deputation Fails. Now that our local bodies have expended most of their energies in a futile effort to induce the Government to proceed with the construction of r ,he Buller Gorge Railway at a starvation wage, it might be suggested with becoming diffidence that the Progress League, Chamber of Commerce, County and Borough Councils and Hospital Board might have a little time to spare to consider the many cases of dire distress in the district so that families might be helped to prepare for the inevitable hardships of the coming winter. If some of the money' spent on futile deputations to Wellington was devoted to the relief of -the acute distress in the district, it would be far more judicious expenditure. Married men under the new scheme are to be paid the princely sum of £1 5s per week for their services, which, after paying rent, would leave only a few shillings on which to • subsist, and if the local bodies would display con corn for those who will be on the borderline, of destitution during the winter months they would find plenty of scope for their activities. Now that the Government has definitely decided not to comply with the wishes of the low wage advocates in regard to the Buller Gorge railway, it is to be hoped our local bodies will devote some of their spare time to the revival of the crippled coal trade on which 80 per cent, of the people in the Buller district are dependent upon for a livelihood. A Low Average. Out of a possible period of 133 days the legitimate mines in the Buller dis-

trict worked the following number of shifts: Denniston 78, Millerton 324, Stockton 604, Westport Main 274. Andy Phillips is now at the Ser geant’s Hill Hotel, where a welcome awaits all. —Advt. Morgan’s Pictures At the Victoria Theatre this (Thursday) evening, and matinee this afternoon, British International Pictures present Seymour Hicks, the famous English comedian, in “The Love Habit.’’ Justin Abelard falls in love with Julie, the wife of an architect, and is seized with the “habit” of pursuing her at every opportunity to repeat his one and all-important speech in an effort to win her. “I love you, I want you, and I’m going to win you/’ This phrase is the theme of this brilliant talking comedy. Margot Grahame, a new screen find, is the heroine. This picture is recommended as more suitable for adults. Excellent supports. Reserves at Morgan ’s, near Theatre. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. Metro-Goldwyn present Joan Crawford, Pauline Frederick and Neil Hamilton in “This Modern Age” at the Victoria Theatre on Friday and Saturday, and matinee Saturday at 2.30 p.m. The screen’s most gorgeous girl in a story of modern love as up-to-the-minute as a flapper’s eyebrows. More suitable for adults. Excellent supports. Reserves at Morgan’s, near Theatre.