WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 29 November 1937, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

TOur Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, November 27. Port of Westport—Tides (New Zea land Summer Time): Monday, 29—07.46 a.m.; 08.13 p.m. Tuesday, 30—08.34 a.m.; 08.55 p.m. Wednesday, 1—09.09 a.m.; 09.31 p.m. Thursday 2—09.45 a.m.; 10.06 p.m.

Shipping: The Wingatui is expected from Wellington, next. Tuesday to load for return.

The Canopus is due from Auckland on Monday to load for the same port. The Rata arrived to-day from Wanganui to load for Wanganui, completing .loading at Greymouth. The Titoki is expected to arrive today from Tarakohe, and is scheduled to sail at midnight for Tokomaru Bay and Nelson.

The Nikau leaves Tarakohe on Tuesday with cement for Westport, and loads for Picton. The Totara arrives from Wellington on Tuesday, and loads for Miramar.

The Kartigi is expected to arrive from Portland next Saturday, and loads for Auckland. The Poolta is due from Gisborne about December 6, and is scheduled to load for Bluff, Dunedin, and Timaru. Labour Ball: Graced with beautiful weather, the Labour Ball held in the Theatre Royal last night was an unqualified success. The floor was taxed to the utmost with dancers, young and old, and all enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Curtis’s Orchestra was in its element playing spirited music. During the evening, Mr W. H. Woodcock, president of the Branch, thanked all who had assisted to make the ball the great success it was. The Mayor (Mr J. Kilkenny) also added a few words in reference to Labour activities, and congratulated the committee and all concerned on the excellent arrangements in connection with the evening’s entertainment. Miss Madge Robertson was honoured as “Belle of the Ball” by ballot, and the lucky snot dance was won by Mr and Mrs T. Mallet. The lucky seat in the gallery was occupied by Miss N. Anderson. Messrs P. Gillovic and F. McLachlan acted as M’s.C. A sumptuous supper was dispensed by the Ladies’ Committee.

Progress League: The monthly meeting of the Buller Progress League was held yesterday in the Town Hall, Mr J. C. Brown being in the chair. There was a fair attendance of members. Mr G. G. M. Mitchell was elected a member.

Messrs F. H. Morgan and G. Taylor waited on the League on behalf of the Canterbury Automobile Association asking for their support of the establishment of a modern camping site for motorists. Mr Morgan, in support of the proposal, said that in past seasons he had frequently met motorists who declined to stay in Westport owing to lack of camping facilities. The chairman expressed surprise that any complaint should be made by visitors, as he considered that there were excellent facilities provided for motorists on the Jockey Club’s course. Mr Schadick (County Clerk) had suggested that the Carter’s Beach Domain might be used in some way to provide extra accommodation.—lt was decided to co-oper-ate with the Automobile Association as much as possible, and make enquiries as to the position in Westport. Inward correspondence was dealt with as follows: From Canterbury Progress League on proposal from Otago Expansion League re continuing annual conference of South Island Leagues. Mr Wood considered it a backward step if no conference was held. The League had always been represented, and a conference did a lot of good work. Mr Wealleans did not think the funds of the League warranted sending delegates to such conferences. Mr Martin said that these conferences were of considerable value to all Leagues. Members from the Buller League attending these gatherings gained a lot of knowledge and experience. Mr Moloney said delegates in the past attended conferences to push tne completion of the Buller Gorge railway and Lewis Pass road. They should not pull out now and could interest others in the Maruia Springs and Collingwood road by being represented at these conferences. They had to look ahead to bigger things in the future. Mr Enright said he always advocated the attendance of town clerks and local body engineers at conferences, but considered meetings of the nature under review not so important to warrant continued attendance of delegates. Mr Wealleans said the meeting was not considering being represented at the conference, but the advisability of carrying on with them. A motion by Mr Wood that the League favour carrying on with the conferences was seconded bj 7 Mr G. Martin. The former said that Marlborough and Nelson had supported the League on important matters at other conferences, and now they should be helped themselves on important matters by the Buller body.—The motion was carried.

From Commissioner of State Forests re suggestion from League to re-afforest 6000 acres of land near Cape Foulwind, regretting that this area was not suitable for such a scheme. The chairman said that he was a little disappointed over the matter. If not suitable for tree planting, the area might be developed for agricultural purposes. The County Engineer (Mr Schadick) had promised to make enquiries in Wellington on the matter. —The matter was held over until the next meeting.

The secretary said he had been in telephone conversation with a representative of the Tourist and Publicity Department in Wellington re the film of the Buller district, and he read a twering letter concerning the visit of a photographer. The secretary said he had undertaken to write up descriotive material for the film. He assured the film people that there was plenty of material. A man would be in Westport to go over the ground before the film was taken. The matter was held over until the arrival of the Departmental officer. From the Minister of Public Works re plans for footbridge on Buller bridge, stating that the work would be carried out as soon as possible.

From the Murchison and Inangahua Leagues promising support for the League’s move to have the Government take over and develop facilities at the Maruia Springs.—The latter stated that representations had already been made to have the lease terminated, and the lessee compensated. The chairman said that the lease of the Springs had some years to expire. Mr Wood moved that Hon.

P. C. Webb be supplied with copies of these letters and asked if a deputation to the Government would be advisable. Mr Wealleans reminded the members that it was agreed that Inangahua take the lead, and this League support their proposals. Any move, therefore, should come through Inangahua. Mr McFadden suggested that the three bodies, Murchison, Inangahua and Buller hold a conference to decide on representations to be made. The secretary advised awaiting a definite reply from the Government in respect to the letter already forwarded. It was finally decided to support the representations made by the Inangahua League to the Prime Minister.-' From Hon. P. C. Webb re Carter’s Beach Domain endowment and his discussion with the Minister of Lands. The chairman said that it was pleasing to note that, work was started on putting the ground in order for a Domain. When a motion of thanks to the Hon. Webb for his interest in the proposal had been passed, Mr Wealleans paid a tribute to the work of Mr J. C. Brown also in this connection, and a vote of appreciation moved by him was carried with acclamation.

T’he advisability of erecting a couple of huts on Mount. Buckland and Mount Kelvin was brought, up by the chairman, who said that MiMartin had a better knowledge of what was required in this direction. Mr Martin said that ascents of such peaks as Buckland and Kelvin, 4800 and 5000 feet respectively, were big ordeals. He considered if huts were erected at vantage points, say halfway up these peaks, mountaineering excursions could be spread over a period with stops at night at the huts. After the matter was discussed at some length, it was decided that local bodies be approached for their views on the matter. It was decided to hold a field day on the pakihis on Thursday. December 9, when the general publie will be invited to inspect the development. General:

The choir from the Westport Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Wilkinson and choirmaster, Mr Russell Shaw, visited Tiroroa on Thursday evening, and a fine programme of songs and music was rendered, this being much appreciated by those attending. Many thanks are due to these ladies and gentlemen for their kindness in making the visit.

Miss E. Findlay has received from the Hon. P/ C. Webb, Minister of Mines and Member for the Buller electorate, a handsome silver cup, beautifully mounted, for competition by the teams of the Basketball Association. The action of the Member for the District in presenting this trophy is much appreciated not only by players of the popular game, but also by the general sporting public. A young Westport man appeared in the Police Court yesterday morning on remand before Messrs F. H. Morgan and E. R. Fox, J’s.P., on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a car in Palmerston Street on November 20. On the application of Sergeant King, the defendant was further remanded until December 1.