BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21659, 22 March 1932, Page 9

BLUFF NOTES

(From Our Correspondent.) Mrs G. A. Waddel left on Saturday for an extended holiday *in Auckland. Miss M. Saunders, Otautau, has been spending a few days with the Misses Nichol, "Glenfovle,” Ocean Beach. Mr and Mrs G. Streatfield, Invercargill, were week-end visitors to the port as guests of Mr and Mrs E. Murphy, Shannon street. Mr E. Barnes, who has been on a business visit to Wellington, is expected to return to Bluff to-night. Regular Easter trippers to Stewart Island Will this year notice the absence from the Tamatea of Mr W. Berryman, who has been a member of the vessel's personnel for a long time. Owing to continued illhealth Mr Berryman has been forced to take a rest. He is at present receiving medical attention and his early recovery is hoped for by his many friends. Beautiful weather conditions are still prevailing at Bluff, Saturday and Sunday being ideal days of warm sunshine. Many visitors were present during the weekend. Luckily, two large overseas vessels (the Somerset and the Tongariro) were in port and these were the centre of interest for visitors, of whom a number were interested spectators of loading operations on Saturday. Unfortunately for cricket enthusiasts, Bluff juniors had a bye, and for the second Saturday in succession there was no play on the local ground, though on each occasion the afternoon was perfect for both playing and looking on. The dance and euchre tournament held in the Town Hall on St. Patrick’s night in aid of the funds of the Dominican Convent was a very enjoyable and successful function. The committee had arrangements well in hand and the result was an evening which passed off without a hitch. Mr Frank Massey filled the role of M.C. The prize-winners in the euchre tournament were: Ladies, Mrs E. Murphy 1, Mrs A. Valentine 2, Mrs H. H. Moss 3; men, Mr Leask 1, Mr W. Butler 2, Mr W. Conley 3. The consolation prizes were awarded to Mrs H. M. Joss and Mrs A. Lee. Depots for Castaways. Many stories have been told of the .rescues of castaways from the various lonely islands lying away to the south of Stewart Island. The most famous occur—rence of the sort is, of course, the rescue in 1869 of the survivors of the sailing ship General Grant which went down at the Aucklands with heavy loss of lives and gold, the latter being the winnings of miners who after “striking it rich” on Australian fields were returning to the Homeland. The year 1869 is a long way back, and it is interesting to know that two of the rescue party are still well"known in Bluff, these being Messrs John Wesley and John Edwards. Descendants of several others who were on the brig Amhirst (owned and sailed by the famous 'Captain Gilroy) are among the residents of the port, notably those of Captain Gilroy, and Messrs William Anglem (mate) and Walter Joss (boatswain). It will bo remembered that a full account of the rescue of the General Grant's survivors was given in the Southland Times some time ago from the narrative of Mr John Wesley. It is also worth recording that the Amhirst, with the same crew, made a further voyage a few months after the survivors were landed at Bluff, this time on an expedition financed by the New Zealand Government for the purpose of establishing depots on remote islands in the interests of possible castaways. The possibility of the latter being marooned for long periods was more pronounced in the days of sail than in the present time of wireless and well-charted sea routes.

On this voyage, in addition to tho Amhirst’s regular crew, Captain Armstrong, a Government officer, was carried to supervise the installation of the depots, while Tom Gilroy, a son of the vessel’s owner, was also on board. 'The party called at the Snares to replenish the stores at tho depot already established there and afterwards made further depots at Port Ross, Carnley Harbour, Adams, Campbell and the Antipodes Islands; Chatham Island was also visited, the Amhirst then making for the Bounties at which, however, owing to bad weather and heavy seas, a landing was not effected. After being hove to for several days in the vicinity in hopes of the weather moderating, the brig was turned for Bluff, Captain Armstrong having decided to wait no longer, and port was safely reached again after an absence of about two months from the time of setting out. W.EA Meeting. There was again a good attendance in the Greenhills Schoolroom when the second meeting of the local branch of the W.E.A. was held. Mr A. P. McDonald occupied the chair. The evening was divided between the subject of music and a discussion of the play (“R.U.R.”) read at the first meeting, a very enjoyable time resulting. Both subjects were discussed in an interesting manner, which augured well for the future of the class. Music will again be the subject for the next meeting. Sunday School Picnic. Perfect weather prevailed for the annual picnic of tho Greenhills Methodist Sunday School and the large number who attended had a most enjoyable day. The outing was held on the beach near Mr R. S. Tait’s property, tho site being ideal for the purpose. A lengthy programme .of sports had been arranged, and, due to the efforts of a hardworking committee, this was put through in good time without the semblance of a hitch. The results of the afternoon’s .sporting events w'ere as follows: Boys and Girls 6 and under: 11. Edwards 1, R. Tait 2. Seven and 8 years: F. Sutherland 1, D. Wyatt 2, W. Sutherland 3. Nine and 10: Mary Sutherland 1, S. Ta.it 2, E. Wyatt 3. Girls 12 and under: V. Wyatt 1. E. Tait 2. Boys 12 and under: C. Sutherland 1, W. Edwards 2, 11. Tait 3. Girls, 14 years: Thelma Edwards 1, Elvie Mathieson 2. Boys 14 years: A. Bremer 1, A. Ford 2. Young ladies’ race: Joan Tait 1, Agnes Sutherland 2, Jean McKenzie 3. Young men: J. Ifemara 1, G. Tait 2. Married ladies’ race: Mrs G. Edwards 1, Mrs A. R. Pennn 2, Mrs R. Wylie 3. Married men: A. R. Penn 1, T. Perry 2, R. S. Tait 3. Consolation race, boys and girls up to 8 years: Stuart Mitchell 1, Jessie Tait 2, Ailsa McDonald 3. Three-legged race, boys: 11. Tait and J. Haberfield 1, J. Ifemara and G. Tait 2. Girls: Elvie Mathieson and Ella Tait 1, Violet Wyatt and Mary Sutherland 2. Senior girls: Agnes Sutherland and Jean McKenzie 1, Thelma Edwards and Joan Tait 2. Wheelbarrow race, boys: J. Heinara and G. Tait 1, R. McKenzie and J. Haberfield 2, A. Bremer and A. Mathieson 3. Girls’ wheelbarrow race: Joan Tait and Elvie Mathieson 1, Mary Sutherland and Ella Tait 2. Boys’ sack race: First heat— J. Haberfield 1, F. Sutherland 2, R. McKenzie 3. Second heat: A. Bremer 1, A. Mathieson 2. Final: R. McKenzie 1, J. Haberfield 2. Girls’ sack race: Agnes Sutherland 1, Jean McKenzie 2, Elvie Mathieson 3. Boya’ high jump: A. Bremer and R. McKenzie equal 1. Young ladies’ high jump: A. Sutherland 1, J. Tait 2. Senior girls’ skipping competition: Thelma Edwards 1. Junior girls: Elvie Mathieson 1. Boys’ skipping competition: Clem Sutherland.