WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 19 October 1943, Page 6

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent.] WESTPORT, Oct. 18. Port of Westport. High Tides: a.m. p.m. Tuesday, Oct., 19. 01.28 02.00 The Kaimai from Auckland loaded for Lyttelton and the Kartigi loaded and sailed for Auckland. ‘Mr. J. R. Beeson, M.'P.S 1 ., Fh.C., from Dunedin, arrived in Westport to take over the position, temporarily, as manager of the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary. Squadron Leader’ tester, of the Air Training Corps, arrived by plane from Greymouth on Saturday afternoon.

Messrs R. Mackay and J. Griffiths, late of the Railway Operating Company in Egypt, commence duties here to-day. k

Mr. C. Boon, representing Sharlands and Co., is on a business visit to this district.

Mr. J. P. O’Connor, arrived yesterday for the funeral of his late father, John O’Connor.

Mr. D. Wade, Schoolmaster, Granity, who was admitted to Buller Hospital on Saturday afternoon with facial and Head injuries, as the result of an accident, was reported last evening to be showing some improvement, but his condition is still serious.

Mrs. O'Connell, daughter of the late Mr. J. O'Connor, arrived from Blenheim yesterday. Mr. Fred McDonald, leading engine driver, and acting running shed foreman, retired on superannuation last Saturday after over 41 years’ service with the Railway Department. He has been stationed at Westport for the greatest part of his service. Rev. Fathei - Kirby left for Wellington on Saturday‘morning. Mr. W. Yeoman was a passenger for Wellington by Saturday’s plane. The Westport branch of the Labour Party held a very enthusiastic community social in the Labour Rooms, Henley Street. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. H. F. Adams, Mr. A. Ridsdale was in charge of the gathering. Mr. H. Swan controlled and led the community sing and Mrs Curtis helped make the evening enjoyable by her musical ability at the piano. Items were rendered by Jie following. Miss Joy Swan, solo, Miss Joyce Davies, solo, C. Thomas monologue, Miss Bennett and Miss Fox duet, Miss A. Adank, solo, Miss Jov Swan and Mr. H. Swan, senr., duet, Mr. Dan Molony, song. Mr. Thomas read on behalf of Mr. Hay-McKenzie, an article appealing to all Labour supporters to form a general community spirit and hold, these gatherings more frequently, thus forming an organisation which would enable them to carry on the great and good foundation laid down by the late leaders, Messrs Holland and Savage. Supper was provided and a very, happy evening was brought to a close with the singing of “Now is the Hour.” The death occurred at Christchurch yesterday morning of Mrs. Fletcher, wife of the late James Fletcher, former mining manager for WestportStockton Coal'Mining Company. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. J. Forsyth, of Riccarton, and Mrs. Harold Maitland of Westport, to whom sympathy is extended in their bereavement.

The 'death of Mr. John O’Connor took place at the O'Connor Home on Saturday morning. A native of County Kerry, Ireland, he was 80 years of age, and had resided in New Zealand for about 60 years, for the last four years being an inmate of the O’Connor Home. He leaves three sons and one daughter to whom the sympathy of the community will be extended.

The official opening of St. John’s Tennis Club was held on Saturday afternoon, the president, Mr G. Aitken declaring the 1943-44 season open. Unfortunately heavy rain set in during the afternoon, and prevented plaj and the Yankee tournament was postponed until yesterday, when, under ideal weather conditions, and in the presence of a good attendance of members and visitors, a number of games were played. The winners of the tournament were Miss IN. ONen. and Air. J. Luff.

The following are the successful icandidates in the elocution and music examinations held at the Convent of Mercy last Thursday by Mr. Henri Penn, examiner for Trinity College: Senior grade elocution: Kathleen Delaney; Delia McEnaney. Intermediate grade, elocution; June Mears, hons. in poetry speaking total, merit; Teresa Greener. Ellen Duncan, pass; Musicianship, Leslie Atkinson, merit. Pianoforte, junior grade: William Smith, hons. in pieces, total merit; Alarilyn Williams, hons. in pieces, total 'merit; Leslie Atkinson, ’cello, hons. in pieces, total merit; Olga Havill, elocution, pass; Kenneth Bascand, pianoforte, pass. . Advanced preparatory grade: Jessie Mullin, hons. in pieces total merit; Mary Roche, hons. in pieces, total merit; Kathleen Casey, hons. in pieces, total merit; Nova Phibbs, pass; Grace Methven pass. Preparatory grade pianoforte, Robert Smith, hons in pieces, total merit; Nordica Miller, merit; Lynette Colvin, pass; Yvonne Lethom, elocution, hons in'poetryv speaking, total merit. First steps, pianoforte: Colleen Wilkinson, hons.; George Spence, pass.

Town Centre. Junior Pianoforte! Isabella Crawford 80 (merit.) (Miss E. Pullar, F.T.C.L.); PatrirL Davies .o (merit) (Miss A. Payne, A.T.C.LJ. Advanced preparatory; Brian Kearns 78 (merit) (Miss A. Payne, A.T.C.LJ; Brenda Fleming 74 (pass) (Mrs Huntley Spencer); Preparatory: Ernestiaa Kerr 85 (lions.) (Miss Pullar F.T.C.L); Glennis Alann 81 (merit), (Miss L. Rose, A.T.C'.L.); Mounienne Smith 80 (merit) (Miss Payne, A.T. C.LJ; Christina' Warne 75 (merit), (Miss A. Meek); Jean Williams 69 (pass) (Miss Payne, A.T.C.LJ; Lois Tregurtha 6a (pass) (Mrs. Tregurtha, L.R.S'.MJ; Jean Black 65 (pass) (Airs. HuntlyvSpencer). First Steps: Alarilyn Luff 85 (hons.); Betty Dawson 80 (merit); Betty Callaghan 79 (merit); Pam Johnson 78 (merit); Desmond Moore 77 (merit) (Miss Payne). Initial; Lauraine Bell 87 (hons); Joan Petersen 85 (hons); ivy McLean 83 (merit); Roy Swan <9 (merit); Marilyn Wright 76 (merit); Lawrence Lang 71 (pass) (Miss Pa'yne); Mary r 4U, f 9 rd 77 (merit) (Miss Pullar f-LC.LJ; Ramsay Black 74 (pass); William Cumming 70 (pass) (Miss Meeki).

At the recent meeting of the Westport Borough Council, Cr. Howard submitted the following recommendations for consideration .as remits to the Mayors’ conference to be held in Christchurch in November. when Mr. Robertson will represent the Borough Council: (1) Development of flax area on the West Coast, sufficient to operate three factories in the Buller district, (a) rope and twine manufacture, (b) woolpacks and bags, (c) fibre plaster board. (2) Establishment of coal distillation and by-products plant, (a) product for plastic housing, adjacent to’brown coal deposits at Charleston, (b) generating of electricity from gas produced from , coal distillation plant (or by water’ power), (c) establishment of cement works in conjunction with coal distillation, (d) survey of coal and other mineral deposits in the South Island, with a view of developing this wealth, (e) establishment of iron and steel industry in the Buller district. (3) Developing of airfields in the Buller also a flying-boat base by dredging lagoon, thus improving the harbour by increased tidal showing, and making harbour more suitable for overseas shipping for our bunkering coals; also terminal base for trans-Tasman air services, with feder services to all parts of New Zealand. (4) ■ Extensive advertising bv Government Tourist Department of South Island scenic beauties, to be prepared and ready for publication throughout the world as early as opportunity offers. (5) Setting up

Advisory Committee to assist Government Departments in decentralising industry and to assure that industries will be established in districts where raw materials are available, and where large quantities of coal are necessary for operating any industry, the factory to be established adjacent to coal fields. — II was decided to adopt the recommendations and forward them to Christchurch for inclusion in the remits. It was decided to purchase health stamps to the amount of £5 as in previous years. The Undersecretary cf uhe Department of Internal Affairs wrote in reference to the 70th anniversary of the constitution of the Borough of Westport suggesting that it would be of historical interest if a photostat of the original proclamation constituting the Borough were made. A photostat was forwarded together with a memorandum prepared by his department which included a list of the signatories to the petition presented for constitution of the Borough. It was moved by Mr. Thomas, and carried, that the Minister of Internal Affairs be thanked for the interest displayed and the trouble taken in compiling the records. The County engineer, Mr. Schadick, wrote that it was impossible to procure cyclone netting for the proposed fences and tubular steel gates for the new Orowaiti Cemetery. It was suggested that a reinforced concrete fence with rough-caste panels and gates be constructed at a total cost of £309 as against £358 originally estimated.— This was agreed to. The District Oil Fuel Controller advised that the local bodies’ representative on the Westport District Oil Fuel Committee had tendered his resignation owing to ill health and asking for a further appointment.-—Cr. Thomas was elected as the Council’s representative. Correspondence was received from the Greymouth Borough Council re Country Library Service advising that they had used the service since January, .1942. No recommendation was received from the secretary of the Library Committee, indicating that no advantage would be gained in joining the service.—The Council decided that the matter be deferred in the meantime. St. John’s Tennis Club applied for a reduction for the duration of the war, in the rental charged for their tennis courts, as the membership had decreased considerably recently.—lt was decided to refer the matter to the Rate Committee, with another application pending, before replying. A further complaint regarding stone throwing by children was received by the Council and it was decided that a letter be sent to all Westport schools requesting that head teachers arrange lectures twice weekly on the dangers o F nyani'ces.