BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1942, Page 8

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent).

Mr. and Mrs. J. Kerr, and their daughter, of Oaro, Last Coast, who were visitors last week to see their sun Lesl.e, -m Grey ’Hospital, were the . guests of Mr. and Mrs. Mountford, Main rcoad. i'ney have now returned home. „Mr. Kerr is to go with other P.W.D. workers co defence work. Mrs. Kerr wiii return to Blackball.

Over the week-end soldiers nere on leave from the various camps, included C. O Flaherty, F. Meadowcroft and L. Neilson. They have left on return.

Mr. D. Nicol, Timaru, has been visiting h.s daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. W. Brown, Main Road. Miss M. Anderson, of the Post Office staff, has gone to Christchurch to undergo training in the P. and T. gallery. _ • , , Mr. W. Maloney, carrier, who had the misfortune to break a bone in his left wrist, while handling timber, is making a good recovery. The E.P.S., under the Convenor, Mr. A. Knowles, held a meeting of all committees in the Masonic. Rooms, Hart Street, last Thursday evening. There wAs a good attendance and many matters of importance were discussed. There was some friendly criticism of the working out of the previous “blackout ” The next complete black-out was fixed for Thursday, March 26, and this will be enforced with the utmost vigour. It behoves every one to give 100 per cent, support to the convenor in these trial efforts. The blackout signal will sound at 8.30 p.m. The “all clear” will sound at 9.15 p.m., and will, as usual, be sounded on the mine whistle. Let us see just how w'ell prepared Blackball can be, when the citizens put their mind to it.

A library has again been instituted in Blackball!. It is many years since the .library ceased to function here, although provision was made in the Miners’ Hall when it was built, to allow of its establishment again. The library is situated in an upper room of the Miners’ Hall and access is gained by a stairway through the reading room. The Chairman is Dr. Aylward, and Mr. A. Murdoch, Hart Street, is Secretary and Librarian. Book selectors have been appointed. There is a fairly strong membership, and more continue to join. This new venture should prove welcome during the coming winter months and everything should be done to encourage the good work. The Blackball and district picnic to Cass Square, Hokitika, took place last Saturday, and was very well attended. The weather was fine, and an enjoyable day was spent by all who participated. Sports were held on the Square, but the side-shows, merry-go-round, etc., of previous years were absent. Large numbers visited the beach or went sight-see-ing. The picnickers arrived home before 8 p.m. At the present time, there is quite an epidemic of “flu” in the township, and hardly a family has been missed. Probably the changeable weather we have been experiencing lately has had a good dea« to do with it. The mines have been working shorthanded owing to “flu,” although other local industry does not appear to have suffered so badly. It is to be hoped it will soon past..

Blackball State Mine has been idle these last three davs. Accumulation of slack coal through lack or shipping is presumably the cause. Mr. and Mrs. R. Colquhoun.. Hart Street, have received news of the death of Mr. Andrew Fleming. at Ohai, Southland, and a former Blackball 1 resident. His death occurred suddenly when he..was evidently on his return from fishing, as he had five fish in his basket. A native of Gordonhill, Glasgow, he had lived in the United States, Canada and South Africa, but lived most of his life in New Zealand, and had worked in the Brunnerton, Blackball and Westport districts before going to Southland. Some years ago he was one of a party who bought out the Wairaki Mine, near. He still held h’s interest in this mine at the time of his death. It was the custom of himself and his brother, Robert, to spend Christmas of each year with Mr. and Mrs. Colquhoun, in Blackball, but last Christmas he was unable to make the journev owing to travel restrictions. He had been in failing health for some months, but h's sudden death came as a shock to his manv friends. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. To his brother at Ohai, his relations in Scotland, and to Mr. and Mrs. Colquhoun in Blackball, the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended.