CENTRAL OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23436, 26 February 1938, Page 16

CENTRAL OTAGO

QUEENSTOWN „ Visit of Minister o: Mines When the Minister -of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb) was in Queenstown last week he tceived two public deputations, as well as private ones. The chaLman of the Lake County Council (Mr L. Lee) and the county clerk asked if some assistance could not be given toward making tracks to the scheelite claims at Glenorchy. It was pointed out that the rates on the claims were small in comparison with the expenditure that would be entailed. Mi Lee asked that an officer should be ? e Puted to report on these tracks, and, if the expenditure were warranted, that the Mines Department should carry out the work Mr We> replied that he would arrange for an officer of the Employment Division to report or the tracks and the nature of the claims.

The second deputation consisted of members of the Mining Association. Mr W. H Overton brought before the Minister the matter of sending out organised parties to see if it were worth while opening up c .-tain of the mines with a view to developing them. Mr **■ T. Lynch, an old miner, said he would like to see prospectiap confined to the present lines of lodes rather than giving attention to localities already worked. He was convinced that K°°d gold existed in some of the lodes. Mr Webb replied that he thought some ?c z. mme s had been investigated, and that the reports sent in w e unsatisfactory, The Minister said, however, that he would confer with the Minister of Labour (Mr H. T. Armstrong) and see what could be done next , , In reply to another question, Mr Webb stated that miners suffering from phthisis could not receive the old age pension in addition to the Miners’ pension, but the scope of the Act had been extended »o that more miners were now receiving the benefits o 1 pensions than hitherto. A Popular Priest

On the eve of his departure on a tour of the United States of America, Canada, Britain, and the Continent, Father Ardagh was tendered a farewell by a large gathering of Queenstown and Arrowtown parishioners. On behalf of the Holy Name Society, the president (Mr A. Ives) presented Father Ardagh with a wallet. In doing so, he said the gift could in no way represent the affection of the people for their iriest, nor could there be any adequate return for his unremitting labour and attention to their needs. Mi A. Mcßride, on behalf of Arrowtown parishioners, also spoke of Father Ardagh’s devoted care and solicitude for the sick and infirm. Miss E. Gavin, president . ' the Children of Mary, said the sodality ow:d Father Ardagh a special debt of thanks for his interest in the basketball club, the choir, and concert parties, as well as ,n the sodality itself. The members asked him to accept a folding camera as a token of esteem. Father Monaghan (Port Chalmers) and Father Fahey (South Dunedin) spoke of the high esteem m which their fellow-priests held Father Ardagh, whose work was known throughout the diocese. Father Ardagh thanked the various speakers for their appreciative references to him. His stay in the parish had shown that the work nf his predecessors, particularly that of Father O’Donnell, had laid a solid foundation. A musical programme was given during the evening. W.D.F.I).

A meeting was held recently for the purpose of forming a branch of the Women’s Division ol the Farmers’ Union in Queenstown. Mrs Elliott, Otago provincial president, presided. Mrs Elliott gave an nsti uctlve account of the aim- and objects of the women's division. It was , decided to form a branch in Queenstown, am to hold meetings m the first Saturday of the month. The following office-bearers were elected-—President; Mrs J. B. Hamilton; secretary, Mrs H. Davies; vice-presidents. Miss Margare. Hamilton and Mrs W. H. Overton; committee—Mesdame.- J S. Gray, A. Burns, Andrews. Rankin. W. Wallace, with power to add; advisory board, ui« president and secretary. Personal

Mrs J T. Paul and her daughter Dorothy, of Dunedin, are spending a holiday in Queenstown Mr B, Beer and his son and daughter, of Invert rgill have beer visiting Queenstown.

Mr and Mrs Chas. Campbell, of Invercargill are visiting Queenstown. Mrs J, Miller, of Invercargill, wa» the guest of Mi and Mrs G. Morria for a few days last week. Mrs Curie has returned to Queenst(,wn after spendm. an extended holiday in the north. Misses Davies and Jenkins have returned to Invercargill after u few days in Queenstown. Mesdnmes ( . Davis sen.. Mrs C. M. Davis, jun, Miss Daphne Davis, Mr and Mrs J. Fosbender, and Miss Wynneth Fosbender, of Invercargill, are in Barnett’s Co"”age on Western terrace.

Major and Mrs - teadmaof Christchurch. are the guests of Major Mackenzie and Misses Mackenzie. Walter Peak.

Mr and Mrs D. Reid, of London, are the guests of Mrs P. Reid, Lower Shotover. Mr Reid is the manager of the Bank of New Zealand, London. A number of local residents left for Auckland on Monday morning to attend the Roman Catholic centenary celebrations in Auckland. The following are among those who will be present:—Mesdames W, Edwards, J. McHenry, T. McNeill. Mr and Mrs P. J. O’Connell, Misses M. McCormick, E. Gavin. N. O'Neill and Messrs J. J. McNeill, J. Ualsh. -ind J. McCarthy. The Minister of Mines (Mr P. C. Webb), who arrived here on Frida? last, spent the week-end in Queenstown.