WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 5 August 1940, Page 9

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] Shipping: WESTPORT, August 3. The Rata is in port loading coal' for Wanganui, and i s expected to be despatched on Monday. The Puriri is due from Nelson on Monday to load coal for New Plymouth. The Alexander is expected from Nelson on Tuesday to load coal for Picton. The Pukeko is expected from Wellington on Wednesday to load coal for return to Wellingtos. The Totara is expected from Wellington on Wednesday to load coal for Miramar. The Kartigi is due from Auckland on Wednesday to load coal for return to th e same port. The Waipahi is expected from Lyttelton on Thursday to load . coal for Gisborne, completing at Greymouth. The Poolta is expected from Wellington about Thursday to load coal for Bluff, Dunedin, Oamaru and Timaru. The Wingatui is expected from Wellington about Friday to load coal for return to the same port. Personal: Lieutenant Parks is visiting Denniston on Monday, where he will address a meeting of returned soldiers. Mr. Ralph Lowe left by plane today to represent the Oddfellows on the West Coast at the funeral of the late Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, Grana Secretary of the Order. The members of the Coal Council, Mr C J. Strongman, Mr Angus McLagan and Mr. T. O. Bishop, will visit Buller mining centres next week.

Mr.’ A. Hollis left yesterday on a holiday visit to Wellington. Miss D. Garvey has joined the staff of the Bank of New Zealand, Westport. . Sergt.-Major P. J. Rodgers, Ptes. J. Craig, Simmonson, of Westport, and J. Black and E. Simpson, of Karamea, arrived from Trentham military camp yesterday on holiday leave.

The death took place in a private hospital at Wellington on Thursday of Miss Anastasia Carrick, daughter of Mrs M. E. Carrick and the late Mr. M. B. Carrick, and sister ot Mother Mary John, Dominican Convent, Auckland, and Mrs. J. A. Kerslake, Masterton. The Garricks will be remembered as former residents of Westport.

As old and highly respected resident of Granity, Mr. John Wilson, died in th e Buller Hospital this morning at the age- of 81 years. He was a native of Australia, and had resided for over half a century in New Zealand. He is survived by his wife, who is an inmate of the Buller Hospital, and a grown-up family, to whom sympathy is extended. The funeral of the late Mrs. T. Powick took place yesterday afternoon. There was a large attendance of mourners. Adjutant Morley conducted a service at the graveside. The pall-bearers were Messrs W. Rogers, J. Sara, S. Whiteside, TStannard, P. Adank and J. White. Patriotic Funds:

The Mayor (Mr. J. M. Robertson) acknowledges foi* Patriotic Fpnds: — £3 from “Mac”; £3 furniture art union per A. G. Kerr; £l7 patriotic funds from Stockton Patriotic Committee, per Mrs. Butterworth.

Mining Conference: The- Mining Conference, which has been proceeding over the last few days, cam e to a close yesterday. The proceedings throughout were conducted in a most harmonious manner. The delegates left for their respective districts, where they will place the findings before then unions. Vital Statistic?:

More marriages were recorded at the Westport Court House in July, 1940, than in any month for some years. The number of births is also extremely high. The vital statistics for July, with those for July last year in parenthesis, are: Births 19 (12), deaths 7 (9); marriages 14 (3>. Customs Returns:

There was a big decrease in the amount of Customs duty collected at Westport jn July compared with July last year. The figures, witn those for July, 1939, in parenthesis, are: Customs duty, £136/15/10 (£926); beer duty, £495/4/6 (£333/7/10); sales tax, £495/4/6 (£399/14/8); gold duty, £l3/10/11 (£205/1/1); light dues, £ll/4/6 (£lO/2/7); total, £1222/13/5 (£1874/6/1); £94/2/2 was collected in war expenses in July, 1940.

Farmers' Union: At the annual meeting of the Westport branch of the Farmers Union, held in the office of the secretary, Mr. J. Radford, the president, Mr. W. H. Hateley, was in the chair. The financial statement was received and th e election of officers Proceeded with. Mr. Hateley was re--elected president, and Messrs E. McFadden and Hyndman were reelected as vice-presidents. Mr. Radford was re-elected as secretary and Mr. C. J. Lemon treasurer. Mr. Snodgrass was re-elected as auditor, and the following were elected to the executive committee: Messrs McFadden, J. B. Goulding, J. Carter, M. Durkin, H. V. Palmer, W. H. Martin, T. Ratcliffe and the other officers. Messrs L. E. Powell and W. H. Hateley were appointed as provincial delegates. The outward correspondence was approved, and the Inward received. It was moved that. Mr. Webb b e asked for a reply re the drainage at Cape Line. It was also moved that the Buller Farmers Dairy Co. be accorded full support in its representations to Mr. Webb for cheaper lime. It was stated that no contribution could be made to the Progress League this year because ot a shortage of funds. In reply to a query re cheaper explosives, it was stated that these were sold at standardised prices. The president react his report on the recent meeting of the West Coast Provincial Executive Surprise was expressed that no official report of this meeting had yet been received. The use of one of the bull-dozers originally imported into the district for the use by farmers for stepping up th e Westport power supply was strongly criticised It was pointed out that the bull-dozers were more Useful during dry spells. It was also pointed out that one bull-dozer was unsatisfactory for land clearing. It was

decided to write to Mr. Webb, acquainting him with the position.

R.S.A. Bowling Club: At the annual meeting of the Returned Soldiers’ Bowling Club, held in the Elite Tea Rooms on Wednesday night, the officers for the ensuing year were elected, and a very successful balance-sheet was presented. Mr. W. T. Sle e was elected patron, and Mr. W. Boilase was reelected chairman unopposed. Messrs A. Morley, J. Bird, F. Beirne, and RFleming were elected as vice-presi-dents, and Messrs R. S. Cunningham and R. Fleming were elected as secretary and treasurer respectivety-. The committee were elected as foxlows: Messrs J. Bird, T. Hullah, A. Burt, T. Jorgenson, McGregor, W Earl, F. Morgan and D. Campbels. Old Boys’ Ball:

Ther e was a large attendance at the Old Boys’ Football Club’s annual ball in the Theatre Royal last night. The hall was beautifully decorated with many-hued streamers, balloons, and small lights. Mr. Percy Smith, president of the Old Boys’ Football Club, officially welcomed the visiting Marlborough team, who were guests at the ball. He also introduced the Mayor, Mr. J. M. Robertson, who extended the team a most hearty welcome on behalf of the citizens or Westport. Mr. J. McEnaney, president of the Buller Rugby Union, welcomed the team on behalf of tne union, and the manager of the team, Mr. G. Forbes, replied on their behalf. Mr. McEnaney then introducea the referee, Mr. H. T. Coulter, of Christchurch, who also said a few words. Mesdames J. M, Robertson, M. R. Robinson, jnr., W. Seaton, T. Mallett, S. Strachan, M. Robinson, senr.’, R. Neill, J. Mason, Foreman, W. Phipps, and Miss T. Kilner comprised an active ladies’ committee, which was responsible for the excellent supper arrangements. The excellence of the decorations and floor bore witness to the hard work put m by the following men’s committee; Messrs G. Mason,- O. P. Davis, ADey J. Feehan, C.' Robertson, F. and’e. McHerron, W. Weenick, ana Mr. J. Hodgson, senr. An enjoyable sit-down supper came as a delightful interlude to a vigorous evening s dancing. The Master of Ceremonies, Messrs W. Atkin and C. Robertson, kept the dancing going with a swing to the music of Mrs. Curtis and her orchestra.