PORTLAND NEWS

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1921, Page 6

PORTLAND NEWS

CEMENT WORKS,

The following boats called for cement during the past week:—'Mahurangi, Endeavour, Awahou and Manaia. The Ngakuta arrived to-day (Tuesday) with coal from Greymouth. The Warkworth works are expected to start cement making operations at once, and large quantities of coal previously consigned to Portland will ibe diverted to that plant for the "future. Fencing operations which have been in hand for some time past are nearing completion. Householders will now be able to take stock of the size of their respective sections, and this latest ad-j diticn to the attractiveness around the houses will no doubt still further encourage the gardening 'habit, which is gettii g a strong hold in the settlement. PHYSICAL CULTURE. A committee has recently been formed, with Mr J. Nelson as chairman and Mr Hitchinson as secretary, to start a boxing and physical culture class. The Cement Company has kindly lent the hall for one night a week for the purpose. II is intended to make a small annual charge, with a view to acquiring equipment. Boxing gloves have already been secured and Mr Nelson, who is to have charge of this branch, has had .some considerable experience in the manly art of fisticuffs; so much so in feet that we .think the "half Nelson" will be sufficient for all-comers for the time being. The committee hopes to be able to secure gymnasium equipment before ; long. TENNIS. A very pleasant afternoop wa.s spent on Saturday by representatives of the local club at the opening of the tennis season at Wairua Falls. The asphalt courc recently made by the staff of the | Cement Company's power-house, with materials provided gratis by the company, proved to be capital for play, and some good play was indulged in. The la die- had evidently worked hard in their preparations for the afternoon tea. which was extensive and dainty; and numerous decorations of ferns and plants made the pavilion and surroundings very attractive.

Mr Purvis, superintendent of the power house, in an appropriate speech welcomed the visitors and thanked the company for providing the employees with the court.

Mr T. H. Wilson responded on behalf of the Cement Company, stating the pleasure ithe- directors derived from seeing their employees well provided with pleasant pastimes for their leisure hours. The party left at 6 p.m. for Portland. Y.M.C.A. The usual bi-weekly picture programmes ore being shown, and Wednesday s progra/mme attracted a record house; over 250 patrons ibeing present. The fortnightly dance held on Friday night gave the couples present plenty of elbow room. This was no doubt partly due to the warm weather and partly to the .several other attractions elsewhere. A pleasant time was experienced iby those present. At 10.45 p.m. a dainty supper was served by the ladies and dancing finished at midnight. . PERSONAL. Mr F. Wilson, secretary, and Mr G. C. Campbell, accountant to the Cement Company, visited Portland last week.