RUNANGA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 October 1936, Page 7

RUNANGA NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.) Bowling Club: Under ideal weather conditions, the Runanga. Bowling Club opened their green for the steason on Saturday afternoon. The president, Mr J. Sharp, in declaring the green open, stated that the West Coast championship tournament woujd be held, at Runanga this season, and it would b° their endeavour to have the green in good order Tor that event. He extended a welcome to the Greymouth Club members, stating that it was unfortunate (that the Grey Club were also opening their, grqen on the same day. However, tfii.o Runanga Chib had sent two rinks 'into GreymouTli to be present for the opening there, while Grey Club had reciprocated jwiit-h the presence of several of their members. Air C. Strongman, representing the Grey Oluly congratulated the Runanga members on tliciir perfect green, and trusted thaCthey would have a very successful season. The Mayor, Air R. McTaggart, was welcomed by the president, who stated that., he was voicing the sentiments of the club members in expressing pleasure that the( Afayor was improving following his recent bad accident. The Mayor, in reply, said that tin" was the first official function which he had attended for seven months. He thanked the president for h’s kind ivishes. He congratulated the club on the very fine state of their green, which, he said, was one of the best in New Zealand,., and he trusted that a very successful season would be the result of their efforts. Airs R. Smith, wife of the vicepresident; then threw up kitty, and Airs J. Sharp played, the first bow 1 , followed by acclamation. Mr Otto'Kroening, an old member of the Club, sent a telegram expressing good wishes for a successful season. . Afternoon tea was served >n the club’s pavilion by the ladies’ committee. and was much appreciated. The competiition between the vicepresident’s and president’s teams-ie suited in a win for the latter by 9(1 to 87. The resfults were (president’s team being mentioned first): Duggan. Dutton, Armstrong senr t and J. Sharpe 16, lo'sit to Glover, Spedding. Henderson and Strongman 21; S. Unwin. Cra’g... Radcliffe and Kilgonr 25. beat Braithwaite. Simon. T. Currie and Speakman 12; Crowe. Cook, Taylor, and F G. Pope 21, beat Ha 1 !,. W. Radcliffe. Gallon. and W. Sharp senr. 11; G. Patterson, Graham and Massey 11 Tost to Kendrick, W. Cnrr.ie and Ferguson IS; Blaeklock. W. Sharp junr.. and Warburton 17, lost to Allen. King and Alaskill 25. Social ana Dance: . A social and dance held in the Aliners’ Hall’ on Friday night by the Women’s In'dtiitutc to< ■ asis-lst the Cowie family, of Coal Creek, who, .as a result of the-, recent flood iwere very heavv losers, drew a crowded gatheiing/and the sum of £3O was raised. The members of the Institute are to ho commended for the 1 !' very tine etforts in such a worthy cau-o. During the evening. modern and old time dances were indulged in, while the. In stitute Drama Circ'e delighted the audience with two one-act plays, entitled “Mechanical Jane” and “Indiffeicnco.” Aliss Louis Kennedy gt.vo a tap dance, and a ballet ,was. given by Miss Burgoyne’s piipils. /while Afr W, Wright rendered two songs, “My Mother’s Birthday” and “Alisty I? lands off the Highlands.” The Ga-’ety Orchestra supplied excellent music gratis while the Miners’ Union kindly granted the free use of the hall. Messrs A. Winstanley anfi M. John son conducted proceedings in their usual capable manner. The suppoi arrangements were capably carr ed on' by the committee, -and reflected great credit on the’r efforts, considering the large crowd present. School of Mines:

The official opening of the new wing at 'the .School pf M.nes t.Qi’k plaee on Saturday night, when a large gathering .of students and visitors wag present. Mr T. Cook was in the chair. . u i Mr C. J. Strongman, Superintendent Mf State on behalf of the Mines Department, in declaring the building open,, thanked the students for the privilege of being pre sent, and also the M.nes Department for the honour of representing the Ministef of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), who was keenly interested in the students and their tuih'on. Mr Strongman stressed the importance of the students putting a great deal of energy into their studies, because ’t meant at least seven years’ hard work in order to procure a first c’ass mine manager’s certificate. He stated that the students owed a .duty to the country, and thei£ was no room for weaklings, as »bt required men of backbon; for on them depended the industry. There were splendid openings for good and it was of np use for men in middle life to take up. the study, which required young men of about twenty with a secondary editcation, as he considered that to attain a mine manager’s certificate was most difficult. They were looking to the School of Mines to educate men to fill the various managerships which were vacant to-day, at a salary <>l £5OO per annum. Mr Strongman said he hoped to -see th'o School full) equipped with a standard library, and no doubt the Minister would *’> every possible way. He stated that, probably, when the new manager was appointed at thie Liverpool Colliery, and also a mines surveyor, a. lot of their difficulties would be overcome insofar a s tutors were concerned. 'The road was hard, but the reward was great, concluded the speaker. Mr A. Airns proposed the toast of “Local Bodies,” which was responded to by Messrs H. Duggan and G. English. ’ Mr English,. who was the first chairman of the c.la=s, said that although! at one time a student, he saw no anomaly in men applying for higher positions. He was pleased to be associated with the State. Miners Union, which, to his mind, was like all other industrial unions, a help and benefit to Hie various industries. He stated that their organisation entire.) dissoemted itself from revolutionary organisations, and they were out 1o co-operate with the management . in the smooth and economical working of the State Mines, at the same time trving to improve working conditions. The toast of “Mining Education” was honoured, and replied to by Messrs S. Ilewison and S. W. S. Strong. A. telegram avu* then Tend from Hon. P. C. Webb, who stated that never in. the history of New Zealand were mines in such need of mining

engineers as at th,e pre-sent time. He regretted that ho was not present to joiin in the function. The toast of “The Coal Trade” was proponed by Air J, Smith, and responded to by Messrs T. Howard and H. Dale. Air Howard slated that the improvement in the trade wa-i due tn the efforts of Government and particularly to Mr Semple, who ha,] made it possible for the workerin his Department to buy coal. He (Mr Howard) was not pess’m'stic about the position, and felt sure that coal would be more widely used in the future.

“The Afi'nes Department’’ was proposed by Air Farnwoith, and responded to by Mr Strongman, whp stated that they had a very sympathetic Minister,, whose position, however, was most difficult, considering that hpolicy was controlled by the elector/’ The speaker appeale,) to the State nii'nc workers to make the Slate mines pay. and tp lead the way for other industries,— because if the State miners failed it would, be a great bloi to Labour. Co-operation was expected from everyone', fro,m trucker to manager. and it wa-g. to be hoped that the workers in the industry [would assist; thereby helping the Labour Govern inenl. If the management were at fault, then they should be put out, and if, on the other hand, other em ployoes were not- doing their job, they should do likewise.

Air Strongman then presented three of the students -with prizes won by them,, namely, Air Ken AlcDonald colliery manager’s guide (trophy presented by Mr H. Dale); Air A. Short (trophy presented by Air M r . AV clou the subject “Alining Ventilat on”'' and a text book on geology to M' Farnworth.

Mr Bert Short proposed the toast “Research Work, and Safe’y ir Mines.,’’ and this was responded to by Mr F. Duffy. Mr J. Tyson proposed the health of Mr G. English, who suitably replied. Mr Strongman eulogised Mr Engbsh for the hard work he had put into Hie movement, and the tactful manner m which he controlled the. miners’ o> ganisation. Mr English, in reply, stated that !■/ would rather make an enemy by td'■rig the truth than a lot of friends by telling a lie. ’“Other Industries” was propose ’ by Mr Coo,k, and replied to by M’ Mosley (representing the Cobden Engineering 'Coy.) and Mr S. Strong. The toast of “The Students” was proposed by Mr Hector, and responded to bv Mr S. Hewisnn. The toast of “The Press” and a 1"" that of Mr D. Kendrick wore a’sn honoured. Various Items were rendered diirir' the evening, and a. very hapnv weed function was brought to a e’.o-'<' w! + '; the singing of “Anlp Lang Syne.”