BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 22 February 1947, Page 7

BLACKBALL NOTES

[Our Own Correspondent]. A break in the fluming on the water race feeding the mine bath room was on Thursday the cause of a bit of inconvenience to the men-working front shift, the most of whom had to go home and wash, reminescent of the old mining days, before the advent of pithead baths. However, a gang of workmen soon put matters right again, and the whole water system was fully restored for the back shift men.

Mr J. B. Williams, Clifford Street, who has been spending an extended holiday in the far<rorth, has returned to his home, much improved by the change. Mr and Mrs A. M. Mason, South Belt Street, who have been holidaying in Wellington, Nelson, and Christchurch districts, have returned to their home. The funeral of the late Mr John Prentice, of South Belt Street, took place at the Karoro Cemetery on Thursday. The service at the Presbyterian Church, at Sampson’s- Chapel, and at the graveside, was conducted by the Rev. Brettell, of Runanga. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. McNichol, G. Oliver, R. Buchan, and R. Clark. The deepest sympathy of everyone is extended to his widow in her bereavement. The monthly meeting of the Blackball branch of the New Zealand Labour Party was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening, Dr. Aylward presiding. The attendance was disappointing. It appears to require a crisis of national importance to stir the membership along. The routine business was disposed of, and the question of the proposed picnic to Totara Flat was left in the chairman’s hands meantime.- Mr A. O’Donnell was thanked for his generous offer of assistance. The immediate concern of the branch is now to interest the younger set in political matters. Other branches must be faced with the same problems. We should welcome suggestions from other branches.