WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 13 October 1936, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) , Proposed Medical Association: WESTPORT, October 12. A meeting of the committee appoints ed by Buller Unions and other organisations to handle preliminary details in connection with the proposal to form a medical association in Westport was held during the week-end in the Labour Rooms. Mr R. Higman was in the chair. Also present were Messrs G. Potter. Pryke, Ellison, Fairburn, Watley, Marshall, Bird, O’Neill and Carter (secretary). Messrs Pryke and Watley reported that the various P.W.D. camps engaged on the railway construction works had unanimously decided to link up with the new body. Air Pryke (Tiroroa) again emphasised the importance of the establishment of a benefit fund in conjunction with the medical association and quoted the benefits enjoyed by city council employees in Christchurch for a contribution of 9d per week. The opinion was expressed that the time was inopportune to consider a matter of the kind, and that Mr Pryke's suggestion could be gone into at a later stage. This course was adopted. It was decided that the new organisation be named The Buller Medical Association, and the secretary was instructed to fake the necessary steps for its registration under the Friendly Societies’ Act. The secretary was also empowered to procure the necessary books and stationery. The following were appointed a deputation to interview the Hospital Board at its next monthly meeting regarding benefits, etc., and to also discuss arrangements with Dr. Thompson on his arrival in Westport.—Messrs Higman, Fairburn, Carter and Watley. It was agreed to hold the next meeting when the deputation’s report were available, ano at which the appointment of officers and the drawing up of rules would also be gone into. Labour Matters:

Air W. 11. Woodcock was in the chair at the usual fortnightly meeting of the local branch of the N.Z. Labour Party held last evening. There was a large attendance of members. Hon. Semple advised that there was little likelihood of a passenger service by sea. being established between Westport and Wellington. The present condition of the coal trade, did not warrant such a move. It was decided to place the request before the Union and Anchor Companies with a view to catering for Christmas passenger traffic.. The secretary of the Charleston bianch of the N.Z. Workers’ Union forwarded the sum of £3 4s as a donation to a fund to be used lor contesting local body elections. Mr IV- u. Woodcock reported that the Watersiders’ Union had set up a committee to go into the same matter. The local branch of the A.S.R.S. advised that every support would be given to the proposal and a similar intimation was received from the General Labourers’ and Mechanics’ Union. Jhe secretary's action in forwarding a telegram of congratulation to Mr Osborne on his victory at Manukau was endorsed. Mrs Ryan's action in arranging with Hon. P. Webb to place a wreath from the branch on Mr Holland’s grave on the third anniversary of his death, was also endorsed. A report in connection with the proposed medical association, submitted by Mr Higman was received as satisfactory.

Inspector Wanted: Tn supporting a motion drawing the attention of the Minister to the. necessity for the appointment of an Inspector of Awards at Westport, a member mentioned that an assistant at a local bakery was working 72 hours per week at a salary of £3, whereas the award rate was £-1 os for 44 hours. The assisant was warned that if ho did too much squealing he would find himself up the Buller Gorge. In another instance an Inspector asked a certain, business man what his reasons were for not paying his assistant award rates and was told that she was only working three days per week, whereas she was'working six. On being fold by the Inspector tnat he would return on Monday the employer advised his assistant to remain home on that day. The member also stated that a certain outfitting firm adopts lhe method of removing the trade mark label from Japanese goods and selling them at a price equivalent to British and New Zealand goods. These goods are landed in New Zealand at something like ten pence per pair. The speaker also related instances where ice-cream formerly sold at one penny had been increased 100 per cent., but no increase to retailers had been made by the Buller Dairy Factory. The meeting unanimously decided to ask the Minister for Labour to appoint a resident Inspector of Awards in Westport. Week-end Golf:

The Westport Golf Club played a President’s v. Captain’s match yesterday. The game was keenly contested and ended in a draw. The results were as follows: — SINGLES. Campbell beat Scbadick. Phipps lost to Lovell, Jones lost to Lockey, Harding lost to Melson, Walker beat. Whitehead, Ford beat Wright, Seanlon beat A. Wilson, Owles beat Davies, Spencer and Hammond all square, But- 1 land beat Tonks, Buchanan Jost to Henry, Broker heat Mason, Robertson lost to Hobbs, Skilton and Wheatley all square. FOUR BALL. Campbell and Phipps Jost to Se.hadick and Lovell, Jones anti Harding and Lockey and Metson all square, Walker and Ford beat Whitehead ami Wright, Scanlon and Rutland and Owles and Buchanan all square. A. Nolt In and Thomas and Neill and Mailland all square. Broker and Henry Jost to T. Phipps and Newman, C. Robertson and Skilton lost to Hobbs and Mason, Twohill and Lake lost to Spencer and Hammond. 'Pile, intermediate championship final was won by 11. Nottle from D. J. Fountaine and the junior championship by J. Newman from T. Phipps. Five-Day Week: As in other parts of New Zealand, West port employers and their shop assistants are at variance as to how the shorter working week should be applied. Both parties discussed the question and decisions arrived at gave hope tiiat a settlement satisfactory to all would be effected. Representatives of various firms in Westport agreed to give full manifestation to the spirit of the legislation by closing their pre- > raises for a full day eack week and this

proposal was quite acceptable to the assistants. However influenced by a decision of the Court, at Christchurch, the owners amended their intentions and agreed on a manipulation of daily hours, thereby preserving the full working week. Needless to mention the altered decision was not welcomed by the shop assistants and there is also evidence that the change has not induced unanimity amongst the owners. One business firm anxious to give full recognition to the Labour Government’s legislation has drawn up a scale of hours which came into operation to-day and which provides for a full holiday on Thursday of each week. Ladies’ Games:

The winner of the ladies’ bogey match was Miss Jean Robertson. On Thursday next the second round of the eclectic and L.G.U. modal matches will be played. The draw is as follows: Miss Bailio and Mrs Slee, Mrs Wilson and Mrs Nahr, Mrs Walker and Miss Slee, Mi» Bird and Mrs Mullan, Miss Ryan and Mrs Grant, Miss Beck and Miss Atkinson, Mrs Hamilton and Miss Gilkinson, Miss Tully and Miss Hay-MacKenzie, Mrs Skiltou and Miss Robertson, Miss Payne and Mrs Gemmill. Miss Brown and Miss McGovern. Miss Henley and Mrs Scandick, Mrs Davies and Scorer. Stars Defeated:

In the final of tho town section of the Albion Cup competition played on Saturday on Victoria Square Old Boys defeated Stars by 12 points to 6 after a closely-fought game and the town team will meet Rangers (Millerton), winners of the country section, in the final match of the season on Saturday next, to decide the ownership of the trophy for the next twelve months. After the heavy rainfall on Friday night the ground was in surprisingly good order and favoured open football. Star forwards were in great trim and this department could not be blamed for the reverse. At the interval Old Boys showed a six-nil deficit, but playing with more confidence their backs, Jost, Dickey, Stewart, Douglas, Strachan and Woodward pulled off some good movements and gave the defence a busy time. Trios were scored for Old Boys by Dickey, Jost and Caldwell, the former also contributing a penalty goal. Cargill, with two penalty goals, accounted for Stars’ points. Shipping:

The Totara and Kiwitea arrived in port yesterday. The Union Coy's loading for the week are:—

Monday: Totara in the roadstead, loads for Wellington. Kiwitea from Auckland with general cargo for discharge, loads for Wellington and Napier. Friday: Kaimai from Lyttelton, loads for Lyttelton, Timaru and Bunco in. Saturday: Karepo, from Wellington, loads for Wellington. Personal: The marriage of Miss Grace. 'Lockington and Mr Fat Ryan, will take place at St. Canine's Church on Thursday next. The wedding of Miss Jean . Henderson, eldest daughter of .Mr and Mrs. Henderson. Westport, to Mr Battley, of Stockton, will take place shortly. Caledonian Society: The Buller Caledonian Society held its monthly Itngleside at. the Orange Hall on Friday evening, when there was, despite rough weather, a good attendance. A number of new members were enrolled. After the transaction of routine business, a social function and donee was held. Chief Geo. Blair sang “Bonny Mary of Argyle” in good style. A Monte Carlo dance competition was won by Mr and Mrs A. Neill. The winners of a miniature Monte Carlo were Mrs O’Keeffe aud Mr Fraser. Chieftain J. Shaw acted as M.C., and sparkling da-nee music was provided by Mrs Curtis. Card Party: The Labour Party’s card tournament was well patronised on Friday. The euchre prize was won by Mrs Spencer, with Messrs R. Dixon and J Williams in second, and third positions respectively. The forty-fives competition was won by Miss Ruby Anderson. The ladies’ committee provided an excellent supper.

“Wood" YOjii Believe It?: An amusing situation arose here the other day. in connection with the removal of furniture of a Court officia*. who has been transferred from Westport. The job was undertaken by the Railway Department, and two servants were dispatched to do the preliminary work. Carpets were rolled up aud other labours incidental to a job of the kind were proceeded' with expeditiously. Everything went along smoothly until the lady in charge put in an appearance, and enquired as to the reason for all the activity. An explanation "was tendered, but the feelings of the men, when they learnt that they were in the wrong house, can be better imagined than described. Local film houses are lamenting that they cannot bring to the screen an incident that might prove every bit as big an attraction as Popeye the Sailor man. Women’s Institute:

Mrs Lunn was in the chair at the monthly meeting of the Waimungaroa Women’s Institute. The competition took the form of Christmas novelties and cuddly toys. Some splendid work was revealed and the articles will be devoted fo the Christmas tree. The (President referred to the arranged for Hector or October 23rd, and requested as many as possible to tend. After supper, community .singing was indulged' in. and a most enjoyable time was .spent. The hostesses were Mesdames B. Dowse and Martin.