WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 8 November 1939, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

LGur Own Correspondent! High Tides for November: Wednesday, 8—7.25 a.m.; 7.55 p.m. Thursday, 9-8.17 a.m.; 8.41 p.m. Friday, 10—9.05 a.m.; 9.29 p.m. Saturday, 11—9.49 a.m.; 10.14 p.m. Shipping: WESTPORT. November 7. The Kakapo, coal-laden, for Wellington, is expected to be despatched to-night. The Kaimiro is expected from Wellington on Thursday with general cargo, and loads coal for Auckland. The Totara is expected from WelLngton on Monday to load coal for Bluff. The Kiwitea is expected from Gisborne about Monday to load coal for Wellington. The Kiwitea is expected from Gisborne about Monday Io load coal for Wellington. The Te Aroha is expected to sail from Wellington to-night with general cargo for Westport and Little Wanganui, and is due here on Thursday. Personal: Mr. John Dowgray. left to-day for Wellington to attend a meeting of the directorate of the Bank of New Zealand. Mrs. Norris, of Mill Street, who has been visiting friends at. Hokitika, returned to Westport last evening. Mrs. R. McDonagh, who has been visiting Christchurch, has returned to Westport. Mr. S. Wingate, loft yesterday Oil a holiday visit to Christchurch and Picton. Mrs. Anderson and Mrs. G. Greenland and infant, left by plane yesterday for Wellington. Messrs A. Sands and H. Haywara, of Denniston, left this morning for Christchurch. . Messrs McCormack, A. Quinn L. Hayward and J. McManus, are Westport' visitors to Christchurch for the racing carnival. Second-Lieutenant I. A. Bird, _ will leave to-day for Burnham Mihtaiy Camp. Mr. H. J. Thornton, Secretary oi Nelson Education Board, Mr. Oveiton, Inspector Overton and Dr Boyd, School Medical Officer, arrived from’Nelson yesterday and, with tha Chairman of the Board, the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, will interview candidates for entrance to the Teachers Training College.

Special Force: The following recruits of tne Special Force will constitute tne next draft to leave Westport, date tu be notified later:— Young, L. A.; Forsyth, J.; Hogan, D. F.; Ryan, A. J.; Bendall, K. A.; Proctor, R. G.; Fitzserald W.; Hay, H. J.; Mullan, W.. Mclnnis U J’.; Schroder, G. V ; Wilson, E.;’ Walker, W.; Whyte, J.

Card Party: The usual dance and card party of the Women’s Branch of the Labour Party was held last Saturdayevening. The dance was well attended, Mrs. Curtis’s Orchestra supplying the music. The euchre tournament resulted as follows —Euchre: Mrs. Prout 1, Mr. Peterson 2, Mrs. McKenzie 3. 45’s: Mr. F. Todd. Monday night’s cards was also well attended, prizes being won as follows—Euchre: Mrs. Prout 1, Mrs. Brown 2. Mr. W. Todd 3. 45’s: Mr. Harris.

Labour Party: The monthly meeting of the Westport Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held last evening, Mr W. H. Woodcock presided over a large attendance of members. The chairman referred to the long association of Miss Anderson with the Greymoutn branch of the Party as Secretary. Miss Anderson was an ardent supporter of the movement and proved herself a highly efficient official during her 21 years of service. A resolution was adopted congratulating her on reaching her majority in years of service to the movement, and expressing the best wishes for her future. Mr. E. D. Sydenham, supervisor of the Westport national emergency scheme wrote asking for the co-operation of the branch in the successful working of the proposals. It was agreed, to give all assistance possible. Arising out of this question, Mr. W. Sherlock said he was thoroughly conversant with the drainage scheme - in the Borough, and would be pleased to render any help in that direction that was possible. On the motion of Mr. Woodcock it was decided to nominate the present officers and executive committee for official positions on the national body. Mr. McKane was nominated as area officer. Remits for the annual conference of the La-

bour Party dealing with witnesses' allowance in Court cases, and the surrender value of insurance policies, submitted respectively by Mr. W. Champion and Mr. E. Potter, were accepted for submission in April next. The Secretary mentioned the individual members of the branch since last meeting had taken £l2 in shares in Labour Dailies. The Social Committee decided to forward a further £2l to the same appeal. The desirability of altering the meetings to a week night instead of Sundays, was discussed, and if was agreed to discuss the matter at a special meeting to be held on Thursday next at 8 p.m. A long discussion took place in connection with various phases of the recent Mayoral election, and decisions which were referred to the next meeting of the L.R.C. were arrived at.

Axemen’s Carnival: Mr. R. Stephen, was in the chair at a meeting of the Holland Memorial Sports Club, held yesterday. Mr. A. Ridsdale, reporting on discussions at the annual meeting of the West Coast Centre of the Axemen’s Association, held at Greymouth, said the most important matter on the I agenda was the allocation of dates for annual sports gatherings. He pointed out that the big Centennial chopping and sawing attractions would take place at Wellington on January 26 and 27, and it was considered advisable to arrange the West Coast circuit as near as possible to those dates to permit visiting Australian and other axemen to take part. January 13 was allocated to Westport. Mr. Champion, who also attended the Greymouth meeting, supplemented the remarks of Mr. Ridsdale. The -large number of delegates present, said Mr. Champion, indicated the keen interest of clubs this season. The date given to Westport was, he considered, a very suitable one and should ensure nominations from overseas and North Island axement, who intended to compete at

Wellington the following week. The date allocated to Westport was accepted and the delegates were thanked for their report. The secretary was instructed to write Mr. C. Howard, of Gibbs’ Motors, thanking him for concessions extended to the delegates in travelling to and from Greymouth. A committee was appointed to draw up a suitable programme of chopping and sawing events and to submit same to the next meeting. It was mentioned that a movement was being launched to suitably give recognition to the great services rendered to the town by Mr. J. Kilkenny during his term as Mayor, and the meeting agreed to donate two guineas towards the proposals. It was decided to write Mr. Flaherty, congratulating him on his appointment as President of the West Coast Centre.

Labour Day Picnic: Reporting, at a meeting of the committee, on the financial aspect or the Labour Day picnic at Westport, the Secretary, Mr. Ridsdale, mentioned that all accounts had not come to hand, but a balance, on the right side, was assured. It was agree,, to thank the Burnett’s Face women s branch for the co-operation _ given on Labour Day. The final distribution of trophies was left in the hands of the secretary. It was decided to allocate certain surplus goods to the O’Conor and Old People’s Homes. A resolution was adopted thanking a. who contributed to the success ot the outing. The secretary was instructed to convene a further meeting when accounts, etc., would be finalised.

Westport Swimming Club: The annual meeting of the Westport Amateur Swimming Club was held last evening in the Elite leRooms, with Mr C. M. Robertson m the chair. Officers for the comm,, season were elected'as follows: Pa '" ron, Dr. P. L. Foote; president Mr F. G. Woodward; vice-presidents, Messrs E. A. Owles. G. Aitken, W. T Keesing J. M. Robertson, F. D. Sydenham, C. M. Robertson and Mrs E. Ridsdale; secretary-treasurer, Miss M Stevenson; assistant secretary, Mr F. Kaye; auditor, Mr H. D. Hamilton, club captain, Mr P. Foote; vice-cap-tain, Mr E. Silcock; ladies’ captain. Miss J. Robertson; Ladies’ vice-cap-tain, Miss T. O’Neill; executive committee, Dr. P. Foote, Messrs R. Croawell, M. Kearns, G. Aitken, ami Misses J. Robertson and M. Roselli, handicapper, Mr W. T. Keesing.. -v was decided to apply for additional club hours at the local baths, namely, 6.30 to 7.30 a.m. It was decided to o-ive every assistance to the District Educational Institute in the sponsoring of swimming competitions among the primary schools in the Seddon Shield districts. The president’s report stated. The club spirit was promoted by trips to Nelson.. Denniston, and the annual picnic which was attended by visitors from Blenheim anc. Greymouth. We conducted the West Coast championships in the loca. bpths, the competition being keen, competitors from Blenheim, combining with our own swimmers to make the meeting very enjoyable. Local swimmers who won at the championships are as follows: 100yds (men., W. Gray; 100yds backstroke, C. Foote; intermediate boys’ dive, T. McDonald; 100yds and 50yds junior boys, C. Strachan; 50yds and 100yds senior ladies, Miss J. Walls; ladies aive, Miss Jean Watson; 50yds anc. 100yds intermediate girls, Miss Jean Watson. We congratulate these swimmers on their success, especially C. Foote, who carried on to be successful in the same event at the New Zealand Universities’ championships. Club trophies were won as follows:' Sydenham Cup, Miss D. Phibbs; Elite Cup, D. Jones. The club sponsored a trip to Nelson on January 21, to compete for the Y.M.C.A. Challenge Cup, which was won by Nelson Pefer Foote and Colin Foote each won an event, and Westport won the relay. A trip was also made to Denniston to open the new baths, and give a general idea of swimming tc the learners. A large number made the trip which was beneficial to all participating. The club's most successful social functions were the dance and the picnic at Tauranga Bay. We have to thank Mrs I. Ryan and fhA committee of the women’.'

branch of the N.Z.L.P. for the use of the hall, also Dr. Foote, who placed his batch at Tauranga Bay at our disposal. During the year we had a visit from C. Cliff, New Zealand champion backstroke swimmer, who gave some interesting and instructive exhibitions. We co-operated with the Amateur Athletic Club in running dances to raise funds for a public address system. We have a credit balance of £34, but have gone no further with the scheme as the local committee for National Emergency is desirous of joining in with us. Last summer the council erected seating accommodation at the baths. The council has pledged itself for a long time now to give consideration to methods of bath improvement, both by heating and by making the bath more attractive. Any small request is met by the cry of poverty. The local Learn-to-Swim Committee

brought children from over 30 miles away for instruction. The school carnivals were as usual, very successful and I had the pleasure to be instrumental in getting certificates issued to the Catholic children, in addition to assisting at their carnival. A large number of State children also gained certificates. The schools of the Seddon Shield districts have a suggestion put forward that a competition on the lines of the football tournament be inaugurated. I would suggest that the club give this movement all the support possible. The club’s loss on the season was approximately £l5. Considering that the money was spent on the swimmers I consider this very satisfactory. The Nelson trip cost £l2, the picnic £4 5s the West Coast championships costing us approximately £7, for which we also erected a starting platform. I would like to thank all who assisted the club during the I year.

Cricket Nominations: A disappointing response was received to the Buller Cricket Association’s request for nominations of teams to take part in the associations fixtures. Only three teams.—Railway, United, and Hector having entered. Teams were expected from St. Canice’g Birchfield and possibly Denniston. It was intended to commence fixtures next Saturday and if the clubs mentioned intend to enter teams, they should do so immediately.