WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 25 August 1939, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent], High Tides—Port of Westport: Friday, 25.—7.12 a.m.; 7.39 p.m. Saturday, 26.—8.08 a.m.; 8.28 p.m. Sunday, 27.—8.50 a.m.; 9-07 p.m. Monday, 28.—9.26 a.m.; 9.40 p.m. Shipping; WESTPORT, August 24. The Poolta is due from Wellington to-night with general cargo, and loads coal to-morrow for Blulf, Oamaru, Lyttelton and Miramar. The Karetu is due from Wellington to-morrow morning to load coal for return to that port. The Nikau is due from Nelson tomorrow to load coal for Nelson. The Titoki is expected from Tai’akohe on Saturday t o load coal foi Nelson aftd Tarakohe. Personal:

Mrs. Keating, Greymouth, is spending a holiday in Westport, and is a guest of her niece, Mrs. McKendry. Mr. J. Hawke, representing Sunola products, accompanied by Mrs. Hawke and family, have arrived in West port where they will take up permanent residence. Miss Margaret Kerr, of Granity, is visiting Wellington, to adjudicate in the annual competitions.

Miss Pat Heeney arrived in West port yesterday for the school vacation, and is the guest of Miss Ngaire Gadd.

Valedictory: At the conclusion of yesterday's proceedings at the Magistrate s Court, Mr. Raymond Ferner, who was making his Jast visit to Westport prior to leaving on transfer to Whangarei, was met by members of the Westport Law Society and the police, and farewelled. Mr. A. A. Wilson, President of the Law Society, in a few well-chosen sentences, referred to the departure from the West Coast circuit of Mr. Ferner, and expressed regret on behalf of members of the Society on his departure. The relations between the Bar and the Bench had at all times been pleasant, and he thanked Mr. Ferner for the kindly assistance given at all times. Mr. Wilson added that he was pleased to see that Mr. Ferner had recovered from his recent illness, and he concluded by wishing both Mr. Ferner and his family good health and happiness in their new sphere. On behalf of the Police Department, Sergeant H. H. Russell wished Mr. Ferner and his family happiness in his new circuit. Whangarci’s gain would be the West Coast’s loss. The Police Department was indebted to Mr. Fernei for the courtesv and help he had always extended Io their members. He felt sure that all members of the Department joined in wishing him every success in his new department. Replying. Mr. Ferner thanked the speakers sincerely for the sentiments expressed in their speeches. He had to acknowledge the courtesy extended to him by members. Police and the Bar maintained a very high standard, and that had made things much easier for him. For the Police he felt he had to add sincere thanks for the co-operation extended to him. Now that he had come to say good-bye, he felt very sorry at leaving lhe many friends he had made in the hospitable West Coast. He assured all-that he would look back on his stay on the Coast with very happy memories. Watersider Injured:

Whilst assisting in unloading operations on the Port Tauranga this morning, Thomas Fowler, a waterside worker, slipped and injured his right leg, and was removed to his home. The injuries fortunately were not serious.

Card Tournament: Last evening’s rard tournament at the Labour Rooms was well attended and the evening was enjoyed by all. The euchre awards went to Mrs. Hainsworth, 1; Mrs. Coyne, Mis. McDUff, 3. The 45’s competition was won by Mrs. Anderson. The LadiesSocial Committee served a dainty SU There was a fair attendance at the State School card tournament last evening, the prize-winners for the euchre being Mrs. Bentley, 1. Mi. Madden, 2; Mr. Jones, a. lhe 4o s was won by Mr. Thomas. Business Competition:

Stating that small businessmen in Westport were being crowded out by big outside firms, and that a monopoly over certain, sections of industries and businesses were detrimental to the town and district, Cr. C. H. Thomas, at the monthly meeting of the Westport Borough Council last evening, moved that a small committee be set up to investigate the situation and acquaint the Minister oi industries and Commerce on the. findings. Some of the old established firms in Westport, the speaker stated, would be forced to close their premises unless the present “racket is discontinued. He could personal!? bring forward six cases in Westpoit where outside competition was ruining local industry. The motion was seconded by the Mayor, Mr. J. Kilkenny and carried. The committee appointed comprised the Mayor, Dep-uty-Mayor, and Cr. Thomas. A report is to be presented at the next meeting of the Council.

Electric Supply: In reporting on the progress iikiul by the Westport Borough Council an: members of the Westport Coa’ Company in the deliberations in connec tton y 'with the supply ol elect™, current to the borough of Wesl P°‘l: J Mayor, Mr. J- Kilkenny, at the Coun cil meeting last evening, moved * following motion, which was seconded by Cr. Thomas, and carried by 5 V °"That the e< Borough 9 ouacil b the latest figures submitted b Y Wcstnort Coal Company to SU electric current to the Council fro Denniston as a basis “gobat.ons, Taylor) 3l Mr" C Schadick (Consultthem favourable. Mr . The Mayor stated that Company, and the m^} a t g h \ g r eeme nt Council felt they were on the auxiliary plant. The Govern- , not delay S 'tTtastTa Mr. senadlck was

some time ago appointed consulting engineer to the Council. Cr. Fairbairn: The Councillors have a right to know what is happening. No decision should be arrived at until each Councillor has seen the agreement.

Cr. C. H. Thomas, who seconded the motion, stated that he felt sure that every confidence could be placed in the committee to carry out the work for the benefit of the Council. Mr. Schadick was an excellent man. Cr. J. W. Stowell moved an amendment that the proceedings be held up for a few days, in order that some plans he had prepared for the building of a steam plant by the Council to generate electricity could be dealt with. The amendment was lost, as was also a further amendment, moved by Cr. Fairbairn, that the select committee not have the power to finalise arrangements, and that copies of the agreement between the Council and the Coal Company should be supplied to all Councillors. Magistrate’s Court:

Charged with the theft of a ‘ gold chain and locket, the property of William Seacombe, valued at £6, and gold chain and other articles, valued at £5O, the property of John Colligan, Henry E. Arneson was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment on the first charge and three months’ imprisonment on the second, by Mr. Raymond Ferner, in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Sergeant H. H. Russell said that the thefts (Recurred when Arneson was escorting two old pensioners home from the Alpine Hotel on the night of July 9. He had sent the property to Christchurch for sale, but it was recovered in a damaged condition. The Magistrate said that Arneson, who had stolen from the old men’s person was lucky not to be facing a more serious charge. Norman Anderson and Leslie Fowler, who were involved in recent collisions. were fined £1 for not giving way to vehicles approaching on the right. How a lorry driven in attempting to dodge a stray cow, collided with a car parked on the side of the road with no lights, was told by Sergeant Russell, when William Powell, the driver, was ordered to pay costs. William Vaughan was lined 10/- for parking his car on the wrong side, and convicted with no penalty on the second charge. A. J. Sutton and Robert Leech were fined £1 and cos £s for allowing stock to stray on the main highway. D. P. Mumm, H. G. Jenkins and James McGhie were fined 10/- and N. 11. Mitchell and 11. R. Slade were convicted and ordered to pay costs on similar charges. For operating motor vehicles without certificates of fitness, Robert Gardiner, E. J. Connew, and H. Ward were fined 5/- and costs. Harold Taylor was lined £1 and costs for not having a driver’s license, and C. Perkins was fined 10/- for not. having an inspection disc on his goods service vehicle. David Tennant was fined 10/- and costs for not having a warrant of fitness foi’ his motor vehicle.

John Robert Annan (Stockton) charged with being in possession of an unregistered firearm an<j procuring possession of the firearm, was convicted on each charge, and ordered to pay Court charges. Roy Bennett <Stockton) for delivering possession of the rifle, and for being in possession of the unregistered firearm, was treated in a similar manner. Sergeant H. H. Russell, who conducted the case for the Police, stated that two men had appeared in Christchurch on matters dealing with the same rifle. The Magistrate made an order for the confiscation of the rifle. A charge against Henry William Zimmerman, then proprietor of the Tramway Hotel, Millerton, for selling liquor after hours, was dismissed after the hearing of evidence. A charge against Ballin Bros., Christchurch (Mr. H. Lovell) for aiding and abetting, was dismissed after evidence. The case was connected with the supply of labels for bottles, such labels stated not to have borne the imprint, ‘‘Bottled in New Zealand.”

Borough Houses: A resolution, proposed by the Mayor, Mr. J. Kilkenny, and seconded by Cr. C. H. Thomas, that the Council make application to the Loans Board to raise a loan of £6,000 for a housing scheme for Borough employees, was carried at last evening’s meeting of the Westport Borough Council. Strong comment on the action of the Council in this matter was made by Cr. J. M. Fairbairn, who stated that the time was not opportune to spring such a surprise on the ratepayers. The big majority of the ratepayers were those earning the basic wage, he stated, and it was scarcely the job of these men to pay for houses to be erected for men in constant employment. A man in a constant, job should he contended, be in ft position to buy a house of his own. What would happen, he asked, if a man, who was half way through his payments. suddenly died, or was dismissed from his job? The whole scheme, he thought, should be helci over until some of the present, loans were paid off. In replying, the Mayot stated that the loan would be no infliction on the ratepayers. The employees of the Council would pay the moiiev back. Other councils throughout. New Zealand were doing the same thing, and taking advantage of money available for this work. Nothing decisive was being done by the Council o n the matter. The Council was only in the first instance making the anniication. On the recommendation of the Town Clerk, it was decided to stipulate that the loan would be for a period of 30 years.

School Rugby Tourney: The Seddon Shield districts primary schools Rugby tourney was continued at the Westport Technical High School around on Wednesday. The early games were played in line weather, but rain fell during the later game. Marlborough defeated Nelson by 14 points to nil. £oi the winners tries were scored by Mallinder, Thomas (2), Mairs, the firstnamed converting one. The West Coast and Buller match proved a hard forward struggle, and ended in a win for West Coast by 3 points to nil. A fine try by Wright was the winning factor. Golden Bay-Motueka showed improved form against Manborough, losing narrowly by 3 points to 6. The winners’ points came iioiu tries by Mallinder and Thomas, while Riley scored a try for the losers.

Rubbish Dump: . Stating that the new rubbish dump, at the corner of Derby and ron- ( blanque Streets was not really a ru b b sh dump, but a reclamation scheme, ?he Mayor. Mr. J. Kilkenny a the monthly meeting of the Westport Borough Council last evening, dep o ed the B false representations made by many people. The work n ‘ the present time would become a rest dential site. The new Jump was not meant for the disposal of any gm rubbish, but matter that would help to fill up a great space through winch

Fonblanque Street would he continued to the trotting track. Cr. Caldwell said that if any other material other than old iron, etc., was to be placed on the site he would utter a protest. In the interests of health supervision was necessary. He had heard remarks, and had seen some of the material disposed there by various people, and it was absolhtely f gainst the interests of public health. The people, and it was absolutely against fication to protest against it. Cr. G. Taylor stated that arrangements were being made at the present time for a. fence and gate to be erected, and the dump to be under supervision of the caretaker. No refuse would be placea there after Friday, leaving the weekends free. Cr. Fairbairn supported Cr. Caldwell and added that with summer approaching supervision would be necessary. If the present way continued, there would not only' be‘flies, but rats. Cr. Caldwell: Yes; and sixteen inches long. Cr. Caldwell also moved that the by-law, slating that lorries carrying rubbish should ( be covered, should be enforced. The | Mayor stated that there was littlA I need to worry' on this issue. The Council’s rubbish collecting lorry would be in operation on Monday, and there would be special supervision c.'.i I what is allowed to be placed in this, area. The Health Inspector was empowered to supervise the work. The people in the locality have little cause for •comp’aint in the future, he added.