STOCKTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1935, Page 7

STOCKTON NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) The Stockton mine was idle all last week and will not be working this week. This is the second time within the last four weeks for the employees to be without any work for a full fortnight. We are still taking the “ corners”, but seem to be skidding a bit! Several Stockton residents, who are members of the Millerton Caledonian Society visited Runanga during the week-end at the invitation of the So-' ciety in Runanga. Reception of the broadcasting of tho New South Wales and Maori game on Saturday was not too audible in the early part of the first half, but as time went on particularly in the second half, the reception was very good. Even the referee’s ■ whistle and the kicking of the were quite distinct. Nepia’s run of one hundred yards with the ball, was a. real thriller. The Stockton Economic Class will be starting the first session in a very short time, and all the residents in the community who desire to attend aro invited to come along. Mr. A. O’Hara is a patient at the Christchurch Hospital. Mr. N. Allridge has recovered sufficiently to get about with the aid of crutches. Mrs. A. Harris is still an inmate of the Buller Hospital. Her condition is showing signs of improvement, and after such a protracted illness it will be the wish of all, that once her discharge is granted, a permanent cure will have been effected. Mr. R. Johnstone, employed by the Westport-Stockton Coal Coy. as a locodriver, had to enter the Westport Hospital on Friday to undergo an operation for a ventral hernia. All wish “Bob” a speedy recovery and return to normal health. Approximately fifty employees of the Stockton mine will start on their allocation of intermittent work on Monday. It does seem a great pity that the single men are not given hardly any consideration under the scheme. The major portion of the single men are having to find 30s per week board, and yet. although their wages are taxed, they are almost debarred from participating in the allocation of work. The whole thing is as full of red tape as it is possible for it to be. Most of the single men who are paying board are in debt, and yet they are expected to keep going on without a growl. Mr. J. Carrick sc nr., is indisposed and may have to enter tho Westport Hospital for treatment. There has been quite an epidemic of “•'flu” in these parts lately.

The Stockton Picture Coy. whist drive last week was largely attend ’d and the competition amongst the players was keen. Mrs. C. Steele won the ladies’ prize and Mr. W. Berry fhe men's. After the whist the Hockey Club held a dance. Mr. A. Moreton supplied the music and the many patrons spent an enjoyable time. Mr. W. Shearer was the M.C.

Stockton Hockey Club sent two teams to Westport to compete in the cup competition on Thursday. Neither team was successful in getting to rhe final. Mokihinui proved superior to the other teams, winning the cup. Ngakawau Miners’ Union held a special meeting on Sunday for the purpose of discussing a proposal from the manager re working a few places in the mine on dog-watch. Mr. F. Connew presided, and after a lengthy discussion it was decided that if the manager did not intend to provide facilities for bringing men down from the mine, in case of injury, or where men would be working in wet-time places, the proposition of working the suggested shift would not be entertained. Au intimation of the Union’s requirements was presented to the manager by the two check inspectors. The check inspectors returned to report to the meeting the result of their deliberations with the manager. The manager had stated that as it would be too costly to keep a loco-driver and brakesman at the mine all night, he would not proceed with the proposition. To have six or seven men working in the mine without the facilities for quick dispatch in the case of injury or where men are wet (and well over six or seven miles away from their homes) is not a thing to be accepted. The ballot for the United Mine Workers’ officials together with the National Council representatives for the Buller will take place on the first workino- day. Messrs. Ralston, Fitzsimmons, Carrick, Burns and Bennett were appointed to attend to the taking o the ballot. The ballot will be finalised in one day.

Master Keith Connew is home on leave from the New Zealand Navy. On return to Auckland he will be making a trip to sea for the first time since he joined up. Mr. J. Miller, who has been ill tor several weeks, will be sent to the Westport Hospital for examination and treatment, if necessary.

The weather in these parts has been beautifully fine for several days and the gardeners arc busy turning up the According to reports the All Black Soccer team have decided to allow their Saturday opponents to have the points. There will be no fixtures in the Buller this week-end, due Io the fact that the Shield game eventuates.