WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1940, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

[From Our Own Correspondent] WESTPORT, March 14. Hjigh Tides for March: Friday, 15—1.31 a.m.; 1.48 p.m. Saturday, 16 —2.12 a.m.; 2.35 p.m. Sunday, 17—3.06 a.m.; 3.38 p.m. Monday, 18—4.17 a.m.; 4.58 p.m. Shipping: The Waipahi is expected from Wellington to-morrow with general cargo and loads coal for return to Wellington. The Kaimiro is now due from Wellington to-morrow to load coal for Napier and Auckland. The Wingatui is expected from Wellington early next week to load coal for return to that port. The Te Aroha is expected to sail from Wellington on Saturday with general cargo for Westport and Karamea. Personal: Mrs. Pearson, is spending a holiday in Nelson. Mr. E. R. Ray, Karamea, is the latest enlistment in the Forestry Company. . Mesdames M. Robinson and R. Donaldson, are visiting Wellington on holiday. Mrs. Hawes, Snr., and Mr. Geo. Hawes, of Karamea returned from a visit to Christchurch on Wednesday and left later for Karamea. Mr. and Mrs. F. Woodward, after an extended holiday spent in the North Island, returned to Westport yesterday. Able Seaman F. Connew, of H.M.S. Achilles, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, of Larsen’s Hotel. i Mr. C. F. Cockburn, who has been relieving Mr. R. J. Hill, District Manager of the Public Trust Office, returned to Greymouth yesterday. Mr. E. C. Holder, the well-known ex Buller Rugby representative, who has been connected with the Rugby League game in England for the past three years, is now residing permanently in Westport. With his wife and* family, he is residing with his mother at the Criterion Hotel.

Home on Leave: The Buller members of the Second Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, arrived home on final leave from Burnham last evening. They will be home for approximately ten days and will return to camp before going overseas.

Labour Card Party: The Labour Party’s card tournament was well attended last evening. The euchre awards went to Mesdames Ross, McKendry and Brewer. The 45’s competition was won by Mrs. Higman. A dainty supper was served by the Ladies’ Social Committee.

Westport School Committee: At the monthly meeting of the Westport School Committee _ held on Tuesday evening, the following were present: Mrs. A. Hunter (chair), Messrs W. Hart, F. Knight ' W. Mann, J'. White, and the secretary, Mr. Harris. Mr. F. N. R. Downard, headmaster, was also present. The plans of the new school were submitted and approved. The headmaster submitted the following report—Roll: The number at present on the roll is 663. Of these, 347 are bovs and 3161 girl.s The attendance for the week has been 619, 624, 611, and 612, or an average over the whole period of 92 per cent, of the roll. This is not a high average for this time of the year, but the attendance was affected by bad weather during February. A number of children were absent on account of the Centennial Exhibition, while others from the Nine Mile Road were without conveyance for part of the time. Staff: The vacancy caused by the promotion of Mr. Lutton has been filled by the appointment of Mr. C. R. Boys, of Masterton, who takes up his duties here at the commencement of next term. The pending vacancy in the infant staff, due to the resignation of Miss McGovern, has been advertised by the board as a special position calling for special ability in infant teaching. Inspection: Short visits were paid to the school by Messrs Cummings and Woods, inspectors Miss Valentine, Supervisor of Special Classes, also paid her annual visit. Sports: The combined primary schools of the district . held their annual sports on . Victoria Square on Friday, the Sth. inst., being granted a holiday by the Education Board for the purpose. There was a good representation from the country schools and all events were well contested. Our pupils acquitted themselves well, gaining 199 points in the aggregate. Should the weather be suitable, we hope shortly to hold our annual swimming carnival. The baths have been little uscfl by the school this season owing to the severity of the weather, and it. is not anticipated that many certificates will be won this year. So far it has been quite impossible to test the children over their distances. Centennial Exhibition: April 8 has been fixed as the date for our pupils, to leave for their trip to the Exhibition. Owing to excessive numbers of children from all districts asking for accommodation, there has been considerable difficulty in securing billeting space. I received a telegram from Wellington to-day, stating that accommodation had now been arranged. A total of 56 children (30 boys and 26/ girls), will be making the trip.