BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 26 March 1943, Page 3

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent.)

‘The Blackball-Roa-Ngahere combined picnic will be held in Mr. Loftus McVicar’s paddock at Totara Flat to-morrow. Saturday, instead of at Cass Square, Hokitika, as originally intended.

The notification of a case of infantile paralysis in the latter place is the cause of the change of venue. The train will leave Roa at 8.35 a.m. Blackball at 9. a.m. It will also stop at Brunner Siding and at Ngahere. It will leave Totara Flat station at 5.45 p m. on the return journey. Given a good day, the children ought to thoroughly enjoy themselves keeping a promise he had made to the Roa miners on a previous visit, the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, accompanied by hjs private secretary, Mr. Ray Kemp, paid a visit to Roa last Friday and addressed a representative meeting of the Roa Miners’ Union on the coal position in general and Roa mine in particular. He spoke for an hour, stressing the gravity of the war situation and the need for every one pulling their weight. Absenteeism he condemned in no uncertain voice. This was no time for tomfollery as every ounce of coal was needed, ■ especially gas bearing coals, which were in demand in all the large centres for gas making purposes.’ Little of this class of coal was beiiig now imported from Australia and in consequence, we had to depend largely on the’ West Coast; to supply tne deficiency, this being the principal bituminous coal field in this Dominion. He was glad to think that Roa miners were good attenders and it was only a pitv that their coal (which was one of the world’s best for smelting purposes) was no good for the making of gas. He pointed out that scarcity of shipping, owing to war deI mands'and the state of the Grey harbour bar, was also a big draw back, but he promised to do all possible to keep the mine working lull time ana if the worst’ did come, the men would be placed in the bituminous mines in the district. He was given an attentive hearing and received an ovation on resuming

his seat. The Mine Manager. Mr. A. O’Donnell then spoke and pointed out. the financial loss facing the company under existing circumstances, ine Minister promised to do all in ms power to ease the position. Mr. M. McFadyen spoke at some length, asking the Minister to exert all his power. to keep the mine working full time. Mr. R. Duggan, President oi the Miners’ Union, presided over the meeting in his usual tactful way. On leaving Roa Mr. Webb continued through to Greymouth The death recently of Mrs. Dempster of Marsden Road. Greymouth, was keenly felt by a wide cncle o friends in Blackball, where she nail resided for many years. She was a native of Northumberland, England, and of a cheery and kindly and a great favourite. Mr. and Mrs. Dempster left Blackball some Y ago to take over the Perry Range Hotel at Jackson’s which they continued to manage successfully until failing health caused them to give it up. when they settled in Greymoutn. To the widowed husband, two r P ar ‘ ried daughters, and son and other relatives, will be extended the deepest sympathy of their friends m Blackball - The local members of the Anglican Church are looking forward with interest to the forthcoming visit m Bishoo and Mrs. Stephenson to attend the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the opening of. the Church in- Blackball. The will extend over Javo days of May 30 and 31. Mrs. Stephenson will deliver an address on missionary work in India, and as she is a splendid speaker, this ought tO T be well y ol '™ hearing. Both the Bishop ana ms good lady were for years on missionary work in that country. Gunner C. Callacher has been visiting Blackball and was the guest ot Mr. and Mrs. A. Whiting Hart Street. Miss M Tennant in charge of the Refreshment Room at Springfield is at present visiting her mother, Mrs. Tennant, Hilton Street. Mr. and Mrs. J. Penman and family Kaipoi, have been spending a holiday with Mr. and Mrs. J. Penman Stafford Street. , His many friends will be P leas ®d to learn that' Mr. A. Knowles, Mam Road, who, had been confined to bed through illness, is now able to get up again We trust he will soon be restored to his usual health. Mrs. Dickson and daughter late of New Plymouth and now of Greymouth, were visitors during, the week and were the guests of their relativers the Schafer family. : , , o Mr and Mrs. J. Day of Auckland, who have been spending a holiday here as the guests of Mr. and Mis, L. C. Cook, have left on their return. Mr. and Mrs. R. Colquhoun, Hart Street, are leaving on Saturday lor Colgate, Canterbury, where they will spend a holiday. The town water race is again functioning almost to its full capacity, after weeks of waiting for the weir ,to fill up sufficiently to allow of the water flowing into the intake of the race. There will probably be fluctuations until such times as- the weir is properly silted up, but so long as the slight fresh is present in the creek, the town races will not go short of water. 1 Approaches have been made to the district manager of the N.Z.R. Road Service for some delay in the time or leaving Greymouth on Sunday evenings to fit in with the players travelling in connection with the Rugby League game, which will soon be m full swing. Side by side with representations being made by the League Centre, some system whereby players can be accommodated, should be evolved. I regret to report that Mrs, Thomson, Stafford Street is still confined to her home through illness. Trust sne will soon be able to get, about again.