BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 September 1932, Page 7

BLACKBALL NOTES

(From Our Own Correspondent). The many friends of Miss Jes-de AlcNicol, daughter of Mr and Mrs John McNicol, Alain Road, w> re highly pleased to learn of her success at the competitions, held in Greyniouth recently,. Miss McNicol camp first the piano solo, 1(5 to 21 years. The good wishes of th e community go with her, to further successes in the musical world. The many friends of Airs Alurray Fowler, of the Twelve Mile (daughter of our worthy townsfolk, Air and AIr u R. Colguhoun) who is at present an inmate of the Grey Hospital, will be pleased to learn that her condition shows a marked improvement.

It is pleasing- to note that quite a few of our townspeople hav e latelv decided to go in for a closer study <’f native, “flora” and the visitor to our village in future years, will have every chance of traversing our main highway, under the welcome shelter nr an avenue of palms. With a few more convenient collectors the cult is likely to spread.

The many friends of Mr R. Alechang will be pleased to learn, that he lias now fully recovered from his recent illness and is abl e to be about again. The Caledonian Society held another successful Ingleside in the Oddfellows' Hall last week. Upwards of one hundred people turned out. It was reported that quite, a large number had definitely stated their intention of making the trip to Runanga on the 23rd inst. The Chief, in the course of his remarks warmly congratulated Aliss Jessie Mc.Nicol, the Society’s pianist, on her success at the competitions, and convoyed to her the best wishes of the Society for her future musical progress.

Mr and Airs S. Pirrie, of Twelve Mile, spent last week-end in Blackball visiting- various friends.

The usual crowd turned Up to the community sing last Tuesday evening I when the usual comprehensive prr*-| gramme was presented and thp. songs, were lustily sung by all present. Dur-j ing the evening solo items were delivered by thp following items: Overture, Air Openshaw and Air Burns, Air J. Dunn, whistle. Airs MacGougan, song “Danny Boy” (encore “Wells O Weary”); Air Jock White, song “Rolling in the Clover” (encore, “Nothing to Eat”) Air Gib. Rae, song. “Star o’ Rabbie Burns” with mandoline accompaniment; Air Jas Davidson, song, “Nameless Lassie” (encore “Aly Ain’ Wee Hoose”), with mandoline aecomp.; Geo. N. Clark, mandoline solo; Miss essie AlcNicol. piano solo (test, piece) ; Mrs May Neilson, song “Dream Boat, Where Are You Floating” (encore, “You Wore Aleant for Ale.”); AGs Taylor, song, “Annie Laurie” (encore “Thora”). During the evening a competition was inaugurated among thp children, for song, story or recitation, tho audience to judge. Five entries were received, viz, Aliss Edna Mather, song. “<) Where, Tell Me Where”; Miss Eileen Burn, recitation, “That’s the Sailors’ Way”; Alaster Walter Dunn, song, “Old Rustic Bridge”; Alaster Cyril O’Flaherty, song, “O Where, Tell Me Where”; Master Willie Rae. song “Bonnie Doon”. After a close contest, Miss Eileen Burn and Alaster Cyril O’Flaherty wore declared winders, each re-

reiving a small prize. A certain olein nt appear to derive a whole lot of enjoyment through the adoption of disruptive tactics during th e singing. This is to be regretted, as it does not 'make for that true spirit of har.mony so conducive to good community singMr James White, who has been S| ending a short holiday with rela tions in Christchurch, returned by Tuesday evening’s express. On Monday evening the local branch of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement held their weekly meeting at. the Miners’ Hall, Mr W. MeVicar presiding oxer a fair attendance. A vote of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mr 11. Grindle, all members standing. A report covering various matters of interest to the Movement, given by the Union Secretary, was adopted as satisfactory. An emphatic protest against the introduction of the new was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. A lengthy and heated discussion took place regarding some subsidised jobs. It was agreed to collect a small levy from mennbers to assist a less fortunate comrade, who, for medical reasons, had been excluded from relief benefits. This ended the business. The glorious weather prevailing on Wednesday enticed quite a few car

loads of townspeople to witness the ceremony at the Arnold River hydro works. All expressed pleasure at the. outing. By the bye the date, 21st j September, also marked the centenary I of the death of that wizard of ro mancc, Sir Walter Scott. A v ry pleasant afternoon was spent recently at the home of Air and Mrs iJ. B. Willis, Station House, Blackball, the occasion being the twelfth birtn- ; dav of their daughter, Rona. The afternoon being fine, games and races xv >re indulged in, out of doors. The children all sat down to a dainty afternoon tea, their little hostess cutting i the birthday. cake. The dining room was beautifully decorated in pink and blue streamers, and masses of greenery. Among those present were Misses [Betty Jordon (Christchurch), Clarice 'Turk. Gwen Davies, Doris Stewart, ; Daphn t . Stewart, Fay Gibson, Doris Moore, Daj hno Moore, Audrey Moore, Celia Connors. Pat Connors, Maureen Laing and Ksme Moore. One of the most enjoyable League games of th P; season was played on the Domain last week-end. when the “old-timers” tried conclusions wit'll the present League team. The “oldtimers” belied their name by defeating Dodds and Coy., by 24 points to 16. Gummy Leitch i> to be congratulated on the wonderful “dash” shown by his team, and while'the win proved verv popular, it is rumoured that silent tears were shed for Hunt at th. defeat of his pets. Air J. At. Neilson made an impartial referee, his decisions .meeting with the approi val thov deserved.