BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1943, Page 1

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent* Mr R, Thomson, Huntley, who has been visiting his parents, Mr and Mrs Thomson, Stafford Street, and his sister, Mrs Morrow, following the death of his brother-in-law, as the result of an accident in the Wallsend mine, has left on his return, his sister, Mrs Morrow, accompanying him. Mr and Mrs W. Balderstone have gone to Christchurch on a business visit. Mr Balderstone will consult a specialist while away. Mr J. Kerr and his son Leslie, who have been visiting their relatives, Mr and Mrs Mountford, Main Road, have left on their return to Oaro. Mr J. Mountford, for health reasons, has gone back with them. It is hoped the change will do him good. Miss M. Muir, Wellington, who has been visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs J'. Muir, Main Road, has left on her return. Mrs D, Anderson, Lingren Street, accompanied by her family, have gone to visit relations in Christchurch during the school term holidays. Mesdames C. Brown, Main Road, and E. Buchanan, Stafford Street, left on Monday for Mangipehi and Benneydale, on an extended visit to relatives.

Mrs A. Park, Christchurch, is visiting Blackball at the present time and returns to-morrow.

Mi's E. Brownlie, Nelson, is the guest of Mr and Mrs R. Clark, Stafford Street. Mr J. Thomson, of Oarnaru, Is at present, visiting Blackball and is the guest of Mr and Mrs O. P. Lyng, at. the schoolhouse. The local Miners’ Unions have all decided to fall in with the Minister of Mines’ request to work the back Saturday during the winter months to help overcome the shortage of coal in the Dominion, It is understood that, a special meeting of the Grey Miners’ Central Committee will be held in Greymouth on Saturday to hear reports from all collieries and to finalise the question. Arrangements are in hand to convey the’delegates to the meeting.

On Friday the local school broke up for the May term holidays. So far the children have not had very good weather to get about. The Paparoas are well covered with snow and boisterous weather conditions prevailed right over the week-end. Some of the older residents here say that this is about the earliest fall of snow in their memory. The local State mine is making all necessary preparations to prove the coal contents of the Old Smoke area, and towards this end boring plant is being transported along the Croesus 'Track to the first boring site, at the top of Hughes’ Hill. A series ; of bores will be put down and the contents of the field thoroughly tested before major operations are’ begun. We hope this area will turn out the success we expect.

Much mischief is being done to country, property by some young vandals who do not appear to realise the harm their actions may cause. On the Moonlight Road, ior instance flags that are’placed along the edge of slips to act'as a barrier against a ear or other vehicle running off the road,.have been deliberately pushed over time and again. The-lack of this protection might easily lead to a car leaving the road, especially at night, with serious injury to the occupants. This is only one of various acts of vandalism being investigated by (he police, and it is hoped that this publicity will have the effect of making whoever is responsible, realise just how traffic their act may become and that there will be no recurrence in future.

Mr and Mrs R. Mountford, Main Road gave a party in honour of the twenty-first birthday of their third son, William F. Mountford, at their home last Saturday week. There was a large gathering of relations and friends of the family. The toast of the guest of the evening was proposed by Mr W. Barber, of Dobson, and suitably replied to by the guest. Others present spoke in eulogistic terms. Many toasts were honoured, while songs and stories kept the sport from lagging. A splendid sitdown supper was provided by Mrs Mountford and received ample justice by all present. The young man was the recipient of a signet ring from his parents and had many presents from admirers and friends. The festivities were kept up till an early hour and were brought to a. close by the singing of Auld Lan°- Syne. A coming-of-ao'p ’■’arty was given by Mr and Mrs Richard Clark, Stafford Street on Saturday last in honour of the twenty-first birthday of their grandson, Mr Lyell A. Biddulph. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends of the family and a very eniovable evening was spent. Tea was served by the hostess and thoroughly enjoyed bv all present. During a lull opportunity Was taken bv Mr Robert. Ciark senr.. to make a presentation of a gold, .key, donated bv his grandparents, to the guest, of honour. On rising to reply “Bud” was received with musical honours. Festivities were carried on to the early hours of the morning. Songs were sung by various members of the gathering and received the meed of applause, While the usual toasts were honoured. A splendid evening was brought to a close by the singing of Atild Lang Syne, ’.'tr Biddulph received a signet ring from his mother, and was the recipient of many presents.