WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 2 May 1942, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

(Our Own Carresnondent). ' WESTPORT, May 1. High Tides, Port of Westport: Saturday, 2—11.13 a.m.; 11.36 p.m. Sunday, 3—11.59 a.m.; p.m. Monday, 4—12.24 a.m.; 12.47 p.m. Tuesday, 5 —1.11 a.m.; 1.46 p.m. In response to an urgent call, sixteen watersiders from Westport left on Thursday by special car for Greymouth to undertake work on the waterfront. It is understood that all expenses are being paid over and above wages earned. The Westport Golf Club will open the 1942 season at the Kawatiri links to-morrow afternoon, when a mixed foursome will be played. In addition to the opening match, a putting competition will be held. The proceeds of the afternoon will be donated to the Buller Soldiers' Comforts Fund. The annual bowling match, ..North v. South, will be played on the Westport Bowling Club on Sunday. Competition promises to be keen and both teams are confident of lifting the trophy, which has been carefully reconditioned. Mr F. Goldsmith has left for the North Island to take up an air training course. Private Peter Carrick is at present on leave with his parents, Mr and Mrs J. Carrick. Mr Winton Morgan has been transferred from the telegraph office Greymouth, to the telegraph office, Westport. Mr A. D. McGregor of the head office staff of the Public Trust Office, Wellington, is relieving the district manager, Mr R. D. Macklow (during his absence on leave. Following the celebration of Requiem Mass at St. Canice’s Church, with the Rev. Father Phelan as celebrant, the funeral of the late Mrs Mary Agnes Mitchell proceeded to Orowaiti Cemetery, where the burial service was conducted by the Rec. Father Phelan. Pall-bearers were Messrs F. J., L. A., and A. Mitchell and L. Norris. Many, beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave. Mr J. M. Robertson, Chairman of the Buller District Patriotic Committee, acknowledges the sum of £1 from 0.A.P., for soldiers’ overseas parcels, also £5 for Buller Soldiers’ Comforts Fund, from the Old Time Dance Committee.

The first coal to be transported by rail to South Island centres from Westport was taken through the Buller Gorge this week. So far, only 60 or 70 tons have been sent, but this was due to limited wagon space. Orders have been received from as far south as Dunedin, but the coal can only be dispatched as wagon space becomes available. Mr J. M. Robertson presided at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting of the Westport Borough Council. Crs. W. P. Caldwell, and C. R. Howard were granted leave of absence. Among inward correspondence was a letter from the Progress League, protesting against the closing down of the experimental pakihi farm and soliciting the Council’s support in this protest. Cr. M. B. Scully said that it would be foolish to close a scheme on which so much money had been spent. He maintained that some of’ the best cattle in New Zealand had been reared on this farm. In addition, a herd of 27 cows had produced a profit of more than t5OO. This excellent return was in spite of Government control. In the hands of practical farmers, he maintained the land could still be worked at, a profit. It was decided to support the Progress League’s protest to the Government. An account from the Fire Board for £lll for 20 bucket pumps was passed for payment in order to secure the Government's subsidy of £2 in every £3 spent on E.P.S. equipment. Cr. Scully wanted to know whether expenditure could be made on behalf of the E.P.S. without the Council first being consulted as the authority responsible for payment. Cr. C. H. Thomas said that the Mayor was the Chairman of the E.P.S. Central Committee, and was able to make sure that no non-essential expenditure was incurred. The Government subsidy on the £lll now due would be £74, leaving the Council responsible for the payment of the remaining £37. The Mayor suggested that the Council should compel the E.P.S. to submit all proposed expenditure 'for the Councils apfproval. Cr. Thomas maintained that rhe Mayor was sufficient brake on E.P.S. expenditure without compelling the E.P.S. to submit proposed expenditure to the Council. A motion along the lines of the Mayor’s suggestion was passed. Cr. Thomas voted against it. A special meeting of the Council was held to consider the passing of a resolution seeking permission to raise a loan of £2,150, being the balance due on the erection of the Denniston power transmission line. Cr. J. M. Fairbairn protested.*, strongly against the loan being sanctioned without first securing a detailed account of the Westport Coal Company’s and the Council’s expenditure on the line. The Mayor and the Town Clerk, Mr P. Morgan, pointed out that the Council had already committed itself in this matter and could not do otherwise than pass the resolution making application for permission to raise the loan. The resolution was; passed,, Cr. Fairbairn voting against it. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to the Borough Foreman, Mr A. Erskine, for his excellent services during the recent floods. Cr. Thomas moved that the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister of National Service be written to in an endeavour vO have the Westport Fire Brigade placed on the essential. Fire Brigade list. Cr. Thomas pointed out that Westport was the third largest export port in New Zealand, and because Of the coal trade was likely to become even more important than at present. In addition, the berthages were all made of wood, as were most of the buildings in the town. Cr. Scully said that he was in full agreement with the motion, but he thought that an explanation should be forthcoming why Westport was not on the essential list. Cr. Thomas’s motion, with the addition of Cr. Scully’s suggestion was passed.