WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 21 March 1940, Page 11

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent?

WESTPORT, March 20. High Tides; Port of Westport:

Thursday, 21—08.05 a.m.; 08.34 p.m. Friday, 22—08.56 a.m.; 09.24 p.m. Saturday, 23—09.46 a.m.; 10.08 p-m. Sunday, 24—10.30 a.m.; 11.54 p.m.

Shipping: The Wingatui is in port discharging general cargo, later loading coal for Wellington, sailing to-morrow night. The Waipahi is due from Wellington to-morrow night to load coal for return to the same port. Personal:

Miss Evelyn Hunter and Mrs. Ray Garland left this morning for Christchurch, where they will in future reside.

Miss M. Burns has returned from a holiday visit to Wellington. The Hon. Adam Hamilton left Westport this morning for Ashburton. Dr. Harty, of Wellington, was a visitor to Westport yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. Head and son leave to-day on a visit to the Centennial Exhibition.

Mr. Trevor Smith, Public Works Engineer, Greymouth, visited Westport with Hon. Adam Hamilton. Mr. and. Mrs. E. Mason, of Gabriel's Gully, Otago, are visiting Westport. ■ Mr. J. McLaughlin, better known as “Lockie,” an old resident of Waimangaroa and Denniston, died in Sydney recently, at the age of 55. Deceased was the proprietor of the Waimangaroa Hotel for many years, and took a prominent part in ail sporting activities. He leaves one daughter, Mrs. Hawes, of Christchurch. He was a native of Hokitika, and is survived by a sister, a resident of Woolongong. There was an enjoyable little gathering on Fridav, March 15th, when members of the Westport Railway staff met to make a. presentation to Mr. C. Junge, on of his being transferred to Middlemarsh as Inspector of Permanent Ways. The presentation took the form of two fireside chairs, and in making this, Mr. J. Barnett, stationmaster-in-charge, spoke of the high esteem in which Mr. Junge was held by all members, and wished him the best of luck in his new position. Messrs Berry, McCloy, Fairbairn, Ryan and Ridler, also spoke of the popularity of “Charlie.” Mr. Junge, in reply, thanked the speakers for the unexpected gifts, which would always be a reminder to he and Mrs. Junge of their happy days in Westport. Mr. Berry succeeds Mr. Junge as Inspector of Permanent Ways in Westport. The funeral of the late Richard Connelly took place this morning from St. Canice’s Church for Orowaiti Cemetery. Father Phelan officiated at the church service and also at the graveside. The pail bearers were Messrs Tracey. Hutchinson, Comerford and Pearson. To celebrate the ninetieth birthday of one of Westport’s oldest residents a gathering of old friends and relations of Mrs. T. Powick took place at her residence, Brougham Street, yesterday afternoon. Among those present were Mesdames L. Powick, JHarder, Taylor, Williams, Watt, Rooney, Hanrahan, Currie, White, Lamont and Sister Rooney of the 2nd Echelon. During the afternoon songs and recitations were given, Mrs. Williams presiding at the piano. Descendants pf Mrs. Powick include 27 grandchildren and 20 great grand-children.

Recruiting Appeal: Between 350 and 400 people gathered at the Theatre Royal last evening, when a recruiting rally was held in connection with the national campaign, the principal speaker being the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition. Prior to the rally, a parade comprising returned soldiers and Territorials, headed by the Municipal Band, traversed Palmerston Street and marched to the theatre. Members of the local recruiting committee were on the platform, and the chair was taken by the Mayor, Mr. J. M. Robertson. The opened with the singing of the Naxiona’- Anthem. The Mayor read apologies from Hons. P. C. Webb and W. H. Mclntyre,', who both asked that eveiy assistance be given Mr. Hamilton during his visit. In the 1 course of his speech, the Mayor extended a correal welcome to Mr. Hamilton, stating that in the war effort the National Party had ranged themselves behind the Government, and had pledged themselves to render every possible aid to bring the war to a successful conclusion. Loud applause greeted MrHamilton, wdio thanked the large audience for making it such an impressive meeting. He also thankee, the band, the returned soldiers, t.m men on leave from camp, and the. Territorials. Hon. Mr. Hami-ton s stirring speech received a cordial reception, and at its conclusion he was accorded a vote of thanks, moved by Major H. Campbell. The singing or the 3 National Anthem, concluded the rally.

Hon. Adam Hamilton’s Visit: The Hoh. Adam Hamilton, Leadei of the Opposition, was met yesterday afternoon on arrival from Greymouth by the Mayor, Mr. J. Robertson, members of the Council, niw other citizens, and officially welcomed. A tom , of inspection was then made of - • Skilton’s land in the Nine Mile \a - lev, and of Mr. Martin’s rami nr, the south side of the Buller. On Mb, Skilton’s farm a hull-dozer was at work, and under the skilful hand.mg of Mr. Carey, was removing all stumps, shrubs, trees, and ot-ior growths and piling them up in handy places for subsequent burnings. Thu machine had begun its work only the previous day and had some seven or eight acres of land cleared. Also on the area was a discer, which was traveling over the ground that had been cleared, turning over the so 1, giving it a good airing, preparatory to planting. The Hon. Hamilton was enthusiastic in his praise of the speed and efficiency of the woi'k, and remarked, “I take off my hat to Mr. Sempie/ ( for what he- and his staff have done and are doing in this connection. Details of the works done generally m the district were given by Messrs Trevor Smith, A. G. Park and Goodbehere, the latter having this work under his special care. Mr. P. Roselli, fields officer, was also on tne scene and gave details of the work done. Education Board!: A complaint that the ward nr inhere of the Nelson Education Board were not present during a visit 'to the Westport school by the Hon. R. Semple, and the Hon. P. C. Webb, was

made in a letter from the Westport School Committee to the Nelson Education Board at its meeting. The letter asked why the two members concerned the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre (chairman of the Board) and Mr. J. H. Harkness, were not present on the occasion referred to and requested that the matter be placed before the Board. “This is the greatest piece of impertinence I’ve ever heard of, and I’d like to say just what I think of it,” commented the chairman, Hon. Mclntyre. There was a principle involved, continued the chairman. It was a question of a member of the Education Board being at the beck and call of committees who arranged to meet Ministers in an endeavour to get the Minister of Education to carry out some work or other. If the Minister of Education had been making a visit to Westport both he and Mr. Harkness would have been. present. Mr. Mclntyre pointed out that he had been out of the district at the time and did not know that the Minister of Public Works was to visit the school. The committee evidently wished to put the acid on Mr. Semple in an endeavour- to get the Minister ’ of Education to take action in connection with the new schools at. Westport. ‘‘The Westport, committee should be told prettv plainly that its efforts to get new schools had not. been helpful,” said the,chairman. The visit of the Minister referred to had taken place last October, and it was an impertinence for the committee, five months later, to present such a stale complaint. The Minister of Public Works went to the Coast to open two bridges. Mr. Harkness: “What else?” The Chairman: ‘That was the reason, but I know that an election happened to be on at the time.” He said that both Mr. Harness and himself had done everything possible to get the new schools at Westport. In fact, he had made himself a pest to the Minister and the Department over the matter. The Chairman also commented that there was no school of the size of Westport which had done less to Improve its own amenilses than Westport had. They wanted everything from the Board or from the Department. Mr. H. Barltrop: The complaint is paltry and uncalled for. Mr. Harkness pointed out that the complaint was about a visit to the school by Mr. Semple last October. He had received no intimation of the visit. If he had been informed he would, of course, have been happy to attend. As it was, he was in Greymouth at the time. Mr. J. G. Wilkins: “After what the two ward members have done for the new Westport schools, the letter 1 is not fair.” Mr. F. A. Carling asked how the members were to know of such a visit if the committee did not inform them of it. It was decided that the secretary reply, explaining the position to the Westport Committee. At a later stage of the meeting, tenders for the Westport South School were considered and are to be forwarded to the ’ Department with the recommendation that one be accepted.

Tennis: Following is the official draw for the championship events to be held al the Easter tournament of the Buller Lawn Tennis Sub-Association. Handicap events will, be published to-mqi-row; — Men’s Championship Singles: A Grade: H. Lockey v. J. Rose, C. Richards v. M. Thomas, F. McHerron v. W. Lambert, E. W. Tonks V. W. Miller, H. Baird v. W. T. Martin, GMcFadzien v. F. Foote, G. Borlase v. E. Askew, D. Moynihan v. I. G. Martin. Byes: C. Harrow, R. Naylor. Men’s B Grade Championship Singles: C. Richards v. D. Dellaway, D. Moynihan v W Moynihan, J. Mbran a hye. Ladies’ 'a Grade Championship Singles: Mrs. H. Baird v. Mis Al. Pomeroy. Miss E. Kendon V. Mis. LPeacock, Mrs. I. G. Martin v. Miss H. Hodgson, Miss A. Payne v. Miss VPhipps, Miss J. Powell v. Miss JPaul. Boys’ Championship Singles: JSmith v. K. Kendon, M. Thomas v. LBascand, K. Dellaway v. D. Moynihan. Girls’ Championship Singles: Miss M. Roselli v. Miss L. Kendon, Miss Pomeroy v. Miss O’Neill. Miss Cunningham a bye. Men’s Championship Doubles: Borlase and Askew v. McFadzien and Baird. Martin and Foote v. Richards and McHerron. Muhane and partner y. Thomas and D. Moynihan, Martin and Naylor v. W. Moynihan and Moran, Lockey and Harrow and Rose and Tonks, byes. Lad.es Championship Doubles: " Baird and Peacock v. Misses Payne and Powell, Mrs. Martin and Miss Pomeroy v. Miss Paul and Miss Hodgson V- Misses Phipps and Kendon Combined Championship: Miss Paul and Lockey v. Borlase and Miss Kendon and Rose v. Miss Payne 1 and Miller, Mrs. and Mr. a ’ rd 3nf j Miss McHerron and Foote, Mis. <- Mr Martin v. Miss Hodgson and Thomas, Richards and partner v. Mrs Delich and Harrow, Miss Hodgson and Nayior v. Mrs. Peacock and McPad zien, Miss Powell ap d w Miss Phipps and McHerro , Pomerov and W. 1. iviaiuii Ritchie and Askew.