PORT CHALMERS NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21994, 1 July 1933, Page 15

PORT CHALMERS NEWS

VITAL STATISTICS The vital statistics for the borough for the month of June are as follows; — Births 3, deaths 3, marriages nil. The figures for the corresponding mouth last years were: Births 1, deaths nil, marriages 2. The figures for the half year ended yesterday are as follows;—Marriages 4 (June, 15)32, 9) ; births 21 (June, 1932, 25) ; deaths 8 (June, 1932, 11). TOWN WATER IMPROVEMENTS As the trunk main pipe-line below the Sawyers’ Bay reservoir has many bends, the Borough Council is now taking steps to straighten the main. This pipe-liue carries the of water to the town. The first section of 72 feet on the new alignment has been laid and is ready to be connected with the main. It is proposed to make this connection to-day, and the supply of water to the town will be cut off from 10 a.m. to about 6 p.m. The straightening of the main will result in the water supply to the whole borough being greatly improved. WATERFRONT WORK The arrival of the steamer Port Piric at Port Chalmers yesterday morning broke the long spell of inactivity which had been associated with the waterfront. As soon as the vessel was berthed more than 150 men were engaged to load frozen meat, wool and other cargo into the holds. The men were divided into five gangs, four gangs being engaged in handling the meat, arid the other gang wool and general cargo. Loading operations proceeded at a brisk pace, and the men completed the work in quick time, as the Port Pirie sailed late in the afternoon, for Timaru to continue loading. With the arrival of the steamer Baldina at Port Chalmers early next week, a fairly large number of men will be engaged to dis-, charge a part cargo of phosphates from Nauru Island. The Baldina is expected to reach the harbour to-day, but will unload a portion of her freight at the Ravensbourne wharf before berthing at Port Chalmers. UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE The fortnightly meeting of the Port Chalmers Unemployment Committee was held on Thursday afternoon. T}ie Rev. W. H. Roberts presided. Mr J. Annan attended the meeting for the first time as a representative of the Borough douncil. A single relief worker was granted exemption from the relief camp, as he was the sole support of an invalid relative. Another Single relief worker applied for classification as a married man, as he was the sole support of a widowed mother and sister at school. His request was complied with. A jingle man was similarly granted classification as a married man because he was the sole support of his widowed mother. A dairy farmer’s application for four relief workers for four weeks to cut gorsc on his farm was granted. A returned soldier complained that he had not been lately receiving as much work as other men of his class.—The committee, after * investigating the case and referring to the records, decided to take no action, as the man had been treated fairly. No reduction had been made on account of his pension. It was stated that unfortunately the inadequate allocation from the Unemployment Board had meant a curtailment of time all round. A relief worker who had been in hospital as the result of an accident at work appeared before the committee and asked for compensation.—lt appeared that particulars of the case had already been forwarded to the Unemployment Board. The further information supplied by the applicant would be also sent forward. Mr A. E. Ansell, M.P., asked the committee to be represented on a deputation to the Minister of Employment on Monday. The committee appointed the Rev. W. H. Roberts and Messrs A. Campbell and C. Blackman to represent it. * A circular was received from’ the Unemployment Commissioner dealing with cultivation of vegetable plots, in the following terms: —“ The Unemployment Board wishes again to remind certifying officers that they must insist upon relief workers cultivating their garden plots for the production of vegetables. Preparatory work at this season of the year is necessary if the best results are to be achieved during the prod active season, and this fact should be impressed upon the unemployed. The board confirms the principle that any relief worker who is not making reasonable efforts with a view to producing his own vegetables in the proper season is to be denied relief lentil he complies with this requirement.” ROWING CLUB BALL The* opening function in connection with the Port Chalmers Rowing Club’s diamond jubilee celebrations was held last night, when more than 80 couples attended the ball in the Garrison Hall. It was’ a brilliant function, the hall being most attractive in the way of decorations, the club’s colours being prominent in the form of streamers suspended from the ceiling. The club’s four-oar boat in which a crew won the championship at the Lake Waihola regatta in 1904 was also suspended from the ceiling in the centre of the hall. The grand march was led by the president of the club (Mr ,T. Y. Love) and Mrs Love. The M.C.’s were Messrs L. Neilson, J. Telfer, M. Monti, and W. Broadley. Representatives from all the other rowing clubs in the harbour were present. Dancing was continued until an early hour this morning to music supplied by Brown’s Orchestra. FIRE BOARD The quarterly meeting of the Port Chalmers Fire Board was held last night, and was attended by Messrs P. C. Smith (chairman), H. A. B. Brabant, A. Campbell, G. F. Mirams, and E. H. Ferguson. The chairman said it was the first meeting of the new board, and extended a welcome to members. He mentioned that Mr Ferguson had been appointed as one of the insurance company representatives, in place of Mr E. White. A letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs stating that the board’s estimated expenditure for the ensuing year had been approved. The secretary of the Port Chalmers Unemployment Committee advised that the board’s request to the effect that members of the Fire Brigade be exempted from relief camps had been granted. When a letter from the Borough Council on the question of expenditure was read, Mr Brabant said the expenditure decided on by the Port Chalmers Fire Board compared very favourably with the expenditure of similar boards. The extra expense this year was necessary to provide for the purchase of a new machine and the maintenance of equipment. The chairman said that the complaint from the brigade in regard to the water supply in Kaio lane and Island terrace was receiving attention. It would be better to leave the matter in ebeyance until the result df the straightening of the main from Sawyers’ Bay was known. It was fully expected that the water supply would he greatly improved after the work was completed.

The secretary of the Fire Brigade, in liis quarterly report, stated that the motor and gear were in good order. The

brigade meetings and practices had been well attended, and the station kept in a clean condition by the custodian. No fires had occurred in the borough during the past three months. The water pressure in Kaio lane and Island terrace was very poor. Two chimney fires had been dealt with by members of the brigade who happened to be in the vicinity. No damage had been done. The following * decorations to members of the brigade had been granted:— Superintendent C. Macdonald, 25 years’ gold star; Deputy-superintendent J. M'Elwee, silver bar (19 years’ service) ; Senior Foreman W. Johnson, silver bar (21 years); secretary, C. E. Thetford, gold bar (17 years) ; Fireman J. Craig, gold bar (11 years); Fireman C. Craig, gold bar (11 years); Fireman H. B. Gibbs, silver bar (9 years). The secretary stated that in past years after a member of the brigade had completed 25 years’ service, the gold star was presented to him at a special function or at the annual conference of 1 the United Fire Brigades’ Association. Superintendent Macdonald preferred to have his gold' star presented at a meeting of the brigade.—The board decided to procure the decorations, the brigade to make its own arrangements for the presentations. —The report was then adopted. Accounts amounting to £lB 10s lid were’ passed for payment. It was decided to place on record the services rendered to the hoard by Messrs E. White and T. Anderson, the secretary being instructed to write and convey the board’s appreciation to them.