BLACKBALL NOTES

Grey River Argus, 24 March 1949, Page 2

BLACKBALL NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent)

Miss Cecilia Connors, Harper street, who has been undergoing treatment in the Grey River Hospital, has now returned to her home.

Mr and Mrs Downey, of Hokitika, have been visiting their relatives, the Connors family, over the week-end. Mr Geo. Bowkett has returned from a visit to Dunedin, where he had the pleasure of visiting Mr R. O’. MacDonald. in the Dunedin Hospital. He reports that Mi’ MacDonald is much improved in health and wished to be remembered to all his Blackball friends.

Mr and Mrs Jack Connors, of Greymouth, have been visiting his parents and family, over the week-end. Mr and Mrs Ralph Glasson and family have left on a fortnight’s caravan tour of the Nelson district.

Mrs K. Morgan and child have arrived by the Rangitiki from London, to join her husband here. Mr Morgan travelled to Wellington to meet his wife and family. Mr and Mrs T. Spence, who also travelled from the Old Country to settle in New Zealand were met on arrival at Wellington in the Rangitiki, by their brother-in-law, Mr Alex Stevens, and have arrived in Blacktall. '

Mrs Pendergast, another arrival from the Homeland has been visiting her brother and sister-in-law, Mr and Mrs Morgan O’Flaherty, Main Road. She returns to Wellington this week and will reside there. Mr O’Flaherty and his daughter," Mrs Keith, will accompany her there. Mr Jim McVicar, Main Road, has been visiting Dunedin and had the pleasure of calling upon Mr R. C. MacDonald, in Dunedin Hospital. He returned north in time to meet his Home relations, Mr and Mrs T. Spence, of Lyttelton. Mr and Mrs T. Bithel and their son, Edward, are visiting their daughter, Mrs J. Queen, Hart street. Mr H. McLeod, of Benneydale, is visiting Blackball. Mr A. Openshaw, Mines Inspector, paid an official visit to the district on Monday.

Mr M. J. Fogarty, J.P., of Greymouth, was a-visitor on Friday, when he presided over the Coroner’s Court, relative to the death of Mr J. Queen, manager of Roa mine. Mrs J. Williams, Harper street, is undergoing treatment in Gre,y River Hospital. Her friends wish her a speedy recovery. The death of Mr Joe Queen, mine manager of Roa State mine, last Friday morning, under such tragic circumstances, cast a deep shadow of gloom about the township. Although only a recent arrival, having resided here for the last two years, the family have made themselves a highly respected unit of our social life. The late Mr Queen was a native of Northumberland, England and had been resident in New Zealand for 20 years, working in the Buller district,. Reefton and Runanga, before coming to Blackball to take over the management of the Roa State mine. He was a keen follower of the soccer code, and as a young man a fine exponent of the game. He took a keen interest in any social oi' sporting activities of benefit to the town and at the time of his death, he held the position of Vice-President of the local Branch of the New Zealand Labour Farty. Of a very fine character, he was held in the highest esteem. A splendid citizen has gone from amongst us and his passing is keenly felt by everyone. The heartfelt sympathy of all is extended to his widow and family and all his relatives in their sad bereavement.

The funeral of the late Mr J. Queen took place to Karoro cemetery last Sunday afternoon, being one of the lai’gest ever to leave here, people attending from the Westport district. Reefton, Runanga, Greymouth and as far away as Christchurch and Benneydale. The.house service (Presbyterian Chruch) at Blackball was taken by ’ the Rev. A. Davidson, of Runanga, while that at the graveside was taken by the Rev. T. G. Campbell, of Greymouth. There were many beautiful floral tributes and very many messages of sympathy. The pall-bearers were Messrs A. Thomson (Runanga), J. Meikle (Roa), P. Peattie (Blackball), A. Openshaw (Denniston), G. Williams (Runanga), and J. Anderson (Runanga). Mr D. Phemister, Edwin street, has been admitted to the Grey River Hospital for observation and treatment.