WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1943, Page 6

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent. 3 High Tides Port of Wesport. a.m. p.m. Saturday, 15th. 06.46 07.15 WESTPORT, May 14. Mrs P. Morganti and her son, of Brooklyn, Wellington, are visiting Westport as the guests of Mr and Mrs E. J. Chapman, Russell St. Mi’ J. Kilkenny junr., was a passenger by yesterday’s plane for Wellington.

Mr W. B. Struthers, of Westport, has been admitted.to membership of the New Zealand Society of Accountants with the status of A.R.A.N.Z. (Associate Registered Accountants). Mr F. Scott senr., who has been visiting Christchurch returned last evening. Mrs W. Gadd returned from Christchurch by last evening’s rail-car. Mrs M. M. Dunningnam, tutororganiser of the W.E.A., gave an address in the S.R.C. Club rooms on Tuesday evening on the activities, and study programmes for groups and individual students. Many members were enrolled and a provisional committee was elected with Mr C. Friend as secretary and Mrs Batt, Mr .J'. Ford and Mr S. B. Canavan as a committee. Mrs Dunningham finalised her address on Soviet life jn Siberia, Arctic shipping, river transport, defence in the East, agriculture, industrialisation beyond the Urals, and finally on Joseph Stalin’s wonderful achievement in dealing with the national minorities. An interesting discussion followed. Mrs

Dunningham was accorded a hearty vote of thanks and appreciation for tier interest in the W.E.A. She was assured of many groups being formed in the near future. Ministers of the Nelson district of the Methodist Church met in Synod

this week in Westport. The chairman of the district, Rev. C. Blair, of Nelson, presided. At the inspirational meeting the visitors were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr J. M. Robertson) and by Rev. S. Corney, president of the Buller Ministers’ Association. A sitting of the Armed Forces Appeal Board was held yesterday before Messrs W. Meldrum (chairman), P. J. McLean and A. J. Panther, with C. F. Shapcott as secretary. The following cases were dealt with: Jeremiah McGrath, bushman, release from camp, appealed for by Marris and Woollett. —Release recommended. Herbert G. Mitchell, sawyer, appealed for by M. H. Mitchell and Norris Bros. —Adjourned sine die; Mr W. E. L. Gay appealed on behalf of the Sawmillers’ Federation and gave evidence regarding the work of the mills in the district and the necessity of retaining

the services of tne men appealed for to maintain production by the mills. <J. M. A. Bryce, civil servant, appealed for by the National Service Department. Representations were made by the department that the reservist’s services were required by the department. The appeal was supported by the Public Service Commissioner’s Department.—Adjourned sine die. Wm. D. Papps, woodwork instructor, appealed for by Technical High School Board. The Principal made written representation regarding the necessity of retaining the services of the reservist, and the difficulty of obtaining replacements at the present’ time.—Adjourned sine die. Janies Griffiths, roadman, appealed for by the Buller County Council. Mr Maitland called T. Douglas, assistant engineer, who gave

detail:; of the reading in the Buller County which requires constant maintenance. The - reservist was qualified in all road work and is doing urgent work.—Adjourned sine die. John William Harden, seaman, appealed for by the Marine Department and William A'. G. Pell, cook, appealed for by the Marine Department. A. C. Bascand, engineer-man-ager, Westport Harbour, gave evidence regarding the work of the men and the necessity of retaining their services in essential work.— Adjourned sine die. G. W. Torbjornsen, farmer, appealed on his own behalf. Mr M. B. Scully called the appellant, who gave particulars of his farming operations and output. The appeal was supported by the Prim- t ary Production Council. —Adjourned sine die. Francis Dickson, farmer, appealed for by John Dickson. Mr Scully called the .appellant, who gave evidence regarding his farming operations and the labour emnloved on the farm. The appeal was

supported by the Primary Production Council. —Adjourned sine die. William O. Thurlow, lorry driver, appealed for against overseas services by Morley and Co. Mr Scully called A. Morley, who gave evidence that the reservist was engaged in the local company and was able to assist in his spare time. He also gave details of pre-war and present staff. In view of the fact that the reservist, was only rendering parttime service to the appellant, the appeal was dismissed. J. R. Higgins, in camp, appealed for against overseas service by G. S. E. Higgins. Mr Scully appeared and withdrew the

appeal. George E. Daily, storeman, appealed for by Griffen and Smith, Ltd. Mr Scully called P. Smith, manager, who gave evidence regarding staff employed and the difficulty of carrying on owing to shortage of staff and the impossibility of replacement.—Adjourned sine die. A. W. Hodgison, accountant, appealed for by Baillie and Co. Mr H. Maitland called the reservist who gave particulars of his work and responsibilities and the staff employed — Adjourned sine die. Robert. McCarroll, farmer, an appeal for release from camp by H. N. B. Archer. Mr A. A. Wilson called Mr Archer. Reports were produced from the Manpower Officer supporting McCarroll’s release. A report from the Stock

Inspector was adverse to the appeal. The appellant gave evidence regarding his general farming operations and the number of horses supplied to the mines.. He contested many of the statements in the stock inspector’s statement, describing them as absolute untruths. He had endeavoured to obtain labour from the Manpower Officer and other sources without success. Thomas McGhie, mine manager for Westport-Stock-ton Coal Co., gave evidence that for many years the company had an arrangement with Archer to supply the horses required in the mine. W. H. Martin, chairman of the Primary Production Council, gave evidence regarding the possibilities of obtaining suitable labour in the district, and considered that the labour required on the farm did not require special qualifications and anyone with a knowledge of farm work

should be suitable. The chairman, in giving a decision, said the appeal was for a Grade 1 man, 25 years of age, at present in camp. The appeal was on the grounds- of public interest, but the board considered it more in the public interest that a Grade 1 man should remain in the Army. The appellant was not a producer but uses his farm for dealing purposes and not for production. The appplication was declined. Harry L. Betteley, miner, appealed for by Paine Bros. Mr Scully called Norman B. Paine, who gave evidence regarding the men employed in the mine and the loss of a man would make a big difference in the output of the mine. Mr T. McGhie gave evidence that Betteley was employed for ten years by the Stockton Co. and was a good practical miner. —Adjourned sine die. Charles John Taylor, miner, appealed for by PaineBros. Mr Paine gave evidence that Taylor was a good miner and his services were required to maintain

the output of the mine.—Adjourned sine die. Gilbert Niven Gear, miner, appealed for by the Westport Coal Co. Mr Davis, manager Millerton mine, appeared and stated that Gear was a satisfactory worker and regular attender.—Adjourned sine die. William Lewnion, trucker, release from camp, appealed for by the Westport Coal Co. —Release declined. C. H. Oldham, trucker, .appealed for by the Westport Coal Co.— Adjourned sine die. A. Openshaw, mine manager of the Westport Coal Co. gave evidence and stated that truckers were in short supply and several miners were trucking. Lionel Colin Dalziell and Isiah Shepherd,

miners, appealed for by the West-port-Stockton Coal Co. T. McGhie appeared and stated that both were regular attenders and good workers. —Adjourned sine die. William Hugh Walker, butcher, appealed for by J. Nelson. J. Nelson gave evidence that he was the only butcher in Denniston and Burnett’s Face, and Walkei’ was his only employee. He was unable to carry on the business without assistance. —Adjourned for three months. William L. Martin, clerk, appealed for against overseas service by Dora Martin. The appellant did not appear and the appeal was stood down. Donald Donaldson, slaughterman, apealed on his own behalf against Home Guard service. The appellant did not appear and the appeal was stood down. Jabey Taylor, dredge hand, appealed for by the Westport Fire Board. Mr Scuilly appeared for the appellant.— Adjourned for two months for review.