DENNISTON NOTES

Grey River Argus, 27 September 1939, Page 11

DENNISTON NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. Mrs J’. Rattray, of the New Track. Denniston, is. a patient in the local hospital. Her many friends wish her a speedy recovery to normal health. Mr A. Openshaw, . mine manager, who has been on the sick list for several weeks, has returned from Christichurch, where he received, beneficial (treatment; and resumed work at the I mine. - I Mr Mick Berry, who received a (painful injury to a hand whilst em- • ployed at the coal face, has entered the local hospital for treatment. Mr and Mrs W. Henderson, of Denniston, have returned from a holiday spent in the North Island. Mr White, of Christchurch, has commenced work with Mr G. Pullar, : storekeeper at Burnett’s Face. Mr Pullar has returned in much, improved health. I Mr J. Clark, a victim in the Glen'afton disaster, is a brother-in-law of (Mesdames W. and G. Jack, of Deniniston. Mrs ,W. Jack has left for Huntly. | Miss M, Trotter, who has been (spending a holiday with her parents, iMr and Mrs W. Trotter, at Burnett’s Face, has returned to Christchurch. Mi’ Joe Haslam, miner, met with an injury to an eye, and received medical attention. Mr H. Richards, aged 59 years, a company official employed by the I Westport Coal Company as storekeepler and incline worker, met with painIful injuries to his right foot whilst (attempting to brake a wagon loaded .with timber. The injured workman received treatment at the local hos'pital, later being removed to the Buljler Hospital. The Inspector of Mines, IMr W. Parsonage, and other officials later visited the scene of the accident. Mrs George Nelson, of New Brighton. near Christchurch, is spending a holiday visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs W. Jack, at Denniston. Mr and Mrs J. Glendenning are hoping to leave early for Huntly, the ( scene of the mining disaster. Many of their friends are victims. Mr O. Ball has entered the Buller Hospital. The mines continue to work steadily, there being one day’s idleness due to lack of shipping last week. A Union meeting will be held on Thursday evening, when all members are requested to attend. r

Several new hands have been recently started, and others havel left for more congenial employment. Several have joined up and passed the medical examination, and are Standing by for the call to camp. Electricians and fitters have been working overtime on essential work. It is understood that an agreement has been reached for the Westport Coal Company in the near future to supply the electricity required for the Westport scheme. Many councillors and other ratepayers are anxious to learn the costs rates, and conditions of supply. The Denniston power house is undergoing remarkable improvements with the installation of the latest Babcock- and Wilcox super-heated boiler. It is to be sincerely hoped that coal will be fully utilised to produce power wherever possible. At a meeting of the St. John Ambulance, there were about 40 present, and a good class is assured. Mr Arnold Openshaw is most enthusiastic and hopes to open the first course next Sunday morning at 10 o’clock. All interested are welcome to come along and be taught the rendering of first aid.

The Burnett’s Face Women’s Labour Party Branch held a most successful function in the form of a children’s fancy dress ball, the proceeds to be devoted to the funds of the Labour Dailies Fund. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering of adults and children. Mrs D. Hayward, president, welcomed those, present, and thanked those who had assisted in various ways to make their effort a financial success, also for giving the children a merry evening. Miss E. Roper presided at the piano, and the hall opened with the singing of the '“Ped Flag.” The lengthy programme followed. The school children proved to have been well tutored, and many splendid fancy costumes were worn, for which Mr Gourdie (headmaster of the Burnett’s Face School), Miss Glastonbury and Mrs R. Roper (secretary of the Labour Branch), are to be congratulated for their efforts. The Matron and Mrs Bone acted as judges, and their decisions met with all-round applause. The programme was as follows: Primers “Cuckoo”; J'. Cockfield, recitation; dance, “Rufty Tufty”; “Lambeth Walk,” E. Smith and J. Dickinson in Coster costumes; Primers’ play. “Fairy Slippers”; duet by G. Cockfield and M. McLeod; school songs, “The Marseillaise,” “Lincoln Poacher,” , “Vive Lamour,” “The Climate”; song and dance, J. McKeenan and R. Russell; “Roger de Coverley,” by Primers; duet, by W. and K.

Walshe; play, “Crotchety Customers”; song and dance, by M. McLeod and J. Hughes; song, “Donkeys’ Serenade,”’ Miss Anna Jones; dances, “Grand' March,” “Selengers Round.” “Reap the Flax”; play, "The Dentist”; song, by B. Archibald, “The Umbrella Man." The fancy dresses included: K. and N. Walshe. gipsies; N. Webb, “Little Old Lady”; E. Morrison, drummer boy; E. Smith and J. Dickinson, Costers: J. Gospodnetich “Kitchen Kiddy”; M. Kerr, flower girl; M. McLeod, crinoline: D. Hayward, “Labour Daily”; J. Martin, drummer; R. Kitchin, daffodil; I. Crawford, Dutch flower girl; R. Martin, dwarf; S. Russell “Red Riding Hood”; Stan Russell', "Ali Baba”; P. Morriss, Maori girl: A. Russell, ballot dancers: S. McLeod and J*. Hughes. Hawaiians; A. Erskine, returned soldier; J. Cockfield, “Vote Labour”; A. Meek, fairy: C. Kerr, carpenter; W. Richards, cowboy; J. Crawford, nurse; D. Stephens and G. Kerr, cowboys; C. Erskine, Red Cross nurse; B. Archibald, umbrella man; R. Meek, Irish sweep; W. Robinson, page boy; G. Cockfield, “Beau Brummell”; A. Slaven, “Rose Bud”; E. Gourdie, “Parcel . Post.” Prizes awarded were:. Tiny Tots, M. Webb, “Little Old Lady”; Stan Russell. “Ali

Baba”; A. Meek, “Fairy.” Paper dresses, M. McLeod, “Early Victorian”: . D. Hayward, "Labour Daily' ; R. Kitchin. "Daffodil.” Materials,. P. Haslam, - “Madam Pompadour”; I. Crawford; “Dutch Girl”: S. Russell, “Victorian,” Boys’. materials. A. Erskine, "Returned Soldier”: G. Cockfield. “Beau Brummell”; R. Russell, “Dutch Boy.” Special C. Erskine, “Nurse.” Original, I.’ Gospodnetich, “Kitchen Kitty”; Hughes and McLeod, “Hawaiians”; P. Morris, “Maori.” Comic, R. Meek. “Irish Sweep”; G. Cockfield, “Umbrella”; E-' Smith and J. Dickinson, "Costers.” Every item received deserved applause. The Jad'es attended: and saw that every child present enjoyed a good supper and dainties. The Showboat Orchestra gave the latest tunes for the adult dance that followed, and

the floor was full. Mr J. Slaven proved an efficient M.C. The spot waltz was won by Mr J. Lightbourn and Mrs Richards; and the barn dance by B. Stephens and Mrs G. Meek. The competition donated by Mrs E. Oldham, of Westport, was won by Miss McCann. A splendid supper was served. The unanimous opinion was that it was the best social for years and for the best cause. Cheers for the Prime Minister and the Labour Government, and good wishes for the Labour Dailies were heartily given. The whole community extends its deepest sympathy to the relatives of those who lost their lives at Glen Afton Colliery.