BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 15

BLUFF NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.)

Mr N. Dawson, Ocean Beach, has returned from a visit to Victoria, where he was the guest of his brother, Mr W. Dawson, Footscray, Melbourne. Bluff was favoured with beautiful weather at the week-end and outdoor sports were played in ideal conditions. As usual in good weather, there were numerous visitors to the port on Saturday and Sunday. It has been finally decided that the watersiders’ next annual picnic will take place on the fourth Wednesday in February, 1932. A special train will convey picnickers to Otautau, where the fixture is to be held, and doubtless the outing (which ranks second only to the Bluff regatta in point of popularity) will be as well patronized as in other years. So much interest is being taken in the activities of the Bluff Athletic Club and the sports meetings are so popular that it has been decided to hold another on Thursday evening next. The programme arranged is the most attractive yet, as in addition to handicaps of 100 yards, 220 and 880 yards for the port’s adult runners, there will be a relay race and a very difficult obstacle race which is expected to provide much amusement for the onlookers. The children will be catered for with lolly scrambles and races for girls and boys. The Watersiders’ Band will be in attendance and a highly successful meeting should result.

The late Mr George Calder, whose death occurred at an early hour on Friday morning last, was an esteemed resident of Bluff and his demise caused a feeling of deep regret at the port. The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, a large number of mourners following the remains to the place of interment in Bluff Cemetery. The services at the house and graveside were conducted by the Rev. Athol R. Penn, of the local Methodist Church, the pallbearers being: Messrs James, Ernest and Walter Calder (brothers of deceased) and Hector and Norman Calder and Malcolm Crichton (nephews). The late Mr Calder was born at Otaitai Bush, near Riverton, and was 54 years of age at the time of his death. He came to Bluff many years ago and had ever since been a highly respected resident. He was a prominent figure at the annual regatta and other local fixtures and was very favourably known on the waterfront, where his cheerful, kindly nature, energy and conscientious performance of all duties entrusted to him made him popular with all his associates and the townspeople generally. He has been spoken of as a good friend and a good citizen and was worthy of that tribute. The sympathy of the Bluff people has been extended to his sorrowing relatives. At the fortnightly meeting of the Bluff Progressive League held on Thursday last week a letter was received from Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, MJ 3 ., thanking the league for electing him as its patron and eulogizing the spirit which prompted the formatio'n of the association. The league has received encouraging financial support from the business people at the port and the Bluff Harbour Board, but the Bluff Borough Council wrote stating that it is unable at present to make a donation, but would be prepared to reconsider the matter during its next financial year. It was reported that some energetic citizens had affected much improvement to some of the tracks through the bush area on Bluff Hill and in one part had constructed a bridge about 20 feet in length besides making the track through a drier part of the bush. It was decided to convey to them the hearty thanks of the league. The question of reverting to Wednesday half-holiday was introduced, and after some discussion it was decided to call a special meeting of the league and invite all business people at the port to be present and express their wishes regarding this important matter. Another suggestion was that it would be advisable to run guaranteed trains from Invercargill to Bluff on Saturdays and charge patrons 6d per head only. It was anticipated that probably 500 persons would thus be induced to spend the halfholiday at Bluff. It was also decided to co-operate with the Borough Council and R.S.A. in improving the environment of the Bluff War MemoriaLBand Concert.

A large crowd attended the concert given by the Bluff Watersiders’ Band in the Town Hall on Sunday night. In addition to the band numbers, items were given by assisting artists and appreciation of the letters’ efforts was shown by insistent demands for extra numbers from each performer. Every item was very well received, keen enjoyment being shown throughout by the audience. Before the entertainment concluded, the chairman (Mr W. Cameron) expressed the appreciation of the band for the assistance given by the visiting artists and the public whose patronage made the series of concerts possible. The individual items of an excellent programme were given by Miss Vincente Brown (songs), Miss Edna Jenks (guitar solos), Mr R. Pettitt (violin solos), Mr H. Derbie (xylophone solos). Accompaniments were played by Miss Mabel McKenzie and Mr Pettitt. Every number contributed was well Worthy of th| hearty wlause accorded

by the audience. The band shows a continued improvement which must be gratifying to the conductor (Mr M. Gillooly) and fine performances were given in the programme submitted on Sunday night. The items were; Overture (“Alpha”), selections “My Lady Dainty” and “Gems of Old England”), marches (“Washington Greys” and “The Skirmishers”). After the concert the members of the band gathered on the stage for the purpose of showing their appreciation of Mr R. Pettitt’s assistance at the concerts throughout the year. In presenting Mrs Pettitt with a fruit stand and Mr Pettitt with a combination cigarette case and lighter, Mr Cameron said the band members felt they could not let the year pass without giving their guests some little mementos of a happy association. At all times from the first concert to this (the last of the present season) Mr Pettitt had given valuabel assistance. He had come from town whenever asked —often at great personal inconvenience—and his presence on each occasion had meant much to the band. Each time a concert was arranged he (the speaker) was asked on all sides if Mr Pettitt would be appearing, which was unmistakable evidence of that gentleman’s popularity in Bluff. On stepping forward to respond, Mr and Mrs Pettitt were received with cheers and the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” The former said the gifts had come as a great surprise. He had found much pleasure in coming down to help the Bluff Band, especially as on each occasion he noticed a decided improvement in the latter’s playing. On behalf of Mrs Pettitt and himself he thanked his friends for their unexpected gifts and expressions of goodwill and assured his hearers that he would be willing to assist on any future occasion that his services were required.