WESTPORT NOTES

Grey River Argus, 29 June 1945, Page 7

WESTPORT NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent] WESTPORT, June 28. The increased depth of water on Uie baj' permitted- the Omana to load a further 350 tons of coal cargo yesterday, morning and sail at noon. The vessel took 2500 tons of coal cargo and 10.000 feet of timber to Auckland, but this tonnage could have been greater if it had been known earlier that the bar conditions were so good. The Totara is due this afternoon from Wellington with general cargo,, and after discharging is to load timber for Wellington. The Kiwitea is due from Auckland to-morrow morning to load coal for that port. The Titoki is due back to-morrow night from Picton to load for Tarakohe and Nelson. The Kartigi is due at the week-end from Auckland, and is to load coal for that port.' The Wingatui, after an unenviable cruise around the North Island, occupying 34 days, arrived this morning from Wellington, and is loading for that port. Mi’ Dawson, Traffic Inspector, Westland district, is visiting the Buller district. Mr and Mrs C. Waller and daughter arrived yesterday from the North Island, and are visiting Mrs Waller’s parents, Mr and Mrs N. Shand. Denniston. Mr and Mrs McGowan, Timaru, arrived yesterday; on a visit, to Mr and Mrs A. Fletcher, Peel Street. A pupil of the Westport Technical High School, R. Gilsennan. was admit-. ted to the Buller Hospital yesterday with an injury to a leg sustained during the football match between Reefton and Westport schools. Mr R. Simpson left yesterday for Wellington. .Messrs M. and W. Ward arrived from Wellington yesterday. Mr R. J. Young arrived by plane from Wellington yesterday. Sisters Todd and Little, and Staff Nurse Allan, who have resigned their positions at the Westport Hospital, were yesterday the guests of the Matron and staff at afternoon tea at the Hospital, and presented with gifts. Matron Paterson, who made the presentations on behalf of the gathering, regretted the coming departure of the guests, and extended best wishes to them in their new sphere. The death occurred yesterday morning of Mrs Bridget Mulvihill, wife of the late Mr Thomas Mulvihill, aged 66 years. The late Mrs Mulvihill vs as a member of the McPadden ■family, one of the pioneer families of the Buller district. She was born at Westport, and had resided here for the greater portion of that time. Before her marriage Mrs Mulvihill was nursing at the Builei’ Hospital and her charitable disposition and attention to duty will be long remembered by a host of friends. Besides her two sons Messrs Jack and Edward Mulvihill, of Westport, she is survived by three sisters, Mrs F. Higgins and Mrs E. Norris, Westport, and Mrs P. O’Conor, Nelson, and one brother, Mr N. McPadden, Westport. The need for greater interest by Westport ratepayers in the affairs of the Ratepayers’ Association was stressed by Mr J. M. Fairbairn, chairman of the Association, at the monthly meeting of the Association held last, evening. He suggested that the membership subscription be reduced to Is from" 2s 6d in an endeavour to get more members from the 1200 lohal ratepayers. “It will only be by greater interest being aroused that matters pertaining to the welfare of the town can be tackled in a whole-hearted manner,” Mr Fairbairn said. Mrs W. Borlase said that even if the subscription’ was reduced to sixpence, it would not interest many more ratepayers; this opinion being endorsed by Mr J. H. Curtis, who deplored the lack of interest by ratepayers in matters affecting the town. Mr C. Howard agreed that an effort should be made to bring the ratepayers to the meeting room. “As it is,” he said, “there is a reluctance by the people to back un local bodies in their efforts to help the district. Where,” he asked, “could you see people from other towns and districts taking such a crisis as has arisen concerning the Westport harbour in such a casual manner as those of this district, and Westport especially?” The Association decided to make a direct appeal to all ratepayers in the town to take a greater interest in the good work of the Association. Strong resentment at the incidence of hospital taxation, whereby only a certain section of the public, the ratepayers, are obliged to pay levies on the Buller Hospital, was expressed at the meeting, and after a general discussion, it was decided that letters be sent to the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and Member for the district, Hon. P. C. Webb, protesting at the present system of levies on ratepayers to maintain hospitals, and suggesting that a greater subsidy for this purpose be provided by the Government. The secretary, Mr H. Sutherland, said that hospital levies io meet the increased costs could be taken out of Social Security payments, at no more than threepence extra in the £ to the public, and then everyone would take their share of—the burden. The chairman said ratepayers were faced with a substantial increase in the hospital rate owing to the changed position in the Buller district. Mr C. Howard doubted whether half the extra amount would be needed to cover hospital expenditure, and explained that if the Westport Borough Council diverted some ot the general rate to the hospital account necessari* works in the borough would ■ be neglected. As it was, he added, the cost of living increases were a heavy burden on the Council without the ! extra hospital levy. After some niembers had claimed that hospitals shoulc • be nationalised, Mr Howard warned > the meetings of what happened "when the Government took over the control : of the Westport harbour. ‘lt mignt he only a chance,” he said, but what happened to the harbour might happen to the hospital.” He suggested s o-reater Government subsidy, with ; Government representation, on the ■ Hospital Board. Mr D. Maloney saic that his increase in rates would not > exceed £l, and for what he and the • people could get at the Buller Hosi pital there was nothing to' growl , about. Mr J. Wicks agreed that the ■ hospital was a glorious purpose, bui ■ all working people, not just a ±ew ■ should contribute to its upkeep. Onlj ’ old-age pensioners and people in pool • circumstances should be exempted, he added. ■, -f In fine weather the pupils of. the ■ Reefton District High School visiter ’ Westport on Wednesday for the pur- ’ pose of playing a series of basketbal and Rugby football games against the local Technical High School. In the first basketball games Westport beat Reef ton A 12-7, and Westport E and Reefton B drew 12 all. In th( second series Reefton A 8, beat Westport A 6 r and Westport B beat Reefton B 8-5. The Westport Rugby team L proved too good for the visitors, anc ’ won 25-nil. After the games th< visitors were entertained at luncr I prior to returning home on the after ■ noon rail-car.